Pre-rookie related memorabilia

[Forever Young]

Hello all,

One theme I love to collect is pre-rookie and rookie related photos and autographs.
I am curious to see what else is out there in these two areas as well as countless other forms of memorabilia. I just picked up this beautiful studio photo of Mr. Bob Feller long before he threw 107.9 mph. This originated from the feller estate.
Let's see what you have!

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad320/weino23/feller-1.jpg

[bcbgcbrcb]

Mordecai Brown pictured in top row on left..............

[71buc]

Love that Feller! Here are two more recent pics Robin Roberts and Kirby Puckett in college.

[thekingofclout]

Hello all,

One theme I love to collect is pre-rookie and rookie related photos and autographs.
I am curious to see what else is out there in these two areas as well as countless other forms of memorabilia. I just picked up this beautiful studio photo of Mr. Bob Feller long before he threw 107.9 mph. This originated from the feller estate.
Let's see what you have!

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad320/weino23/feller-1.jpg

That's a killer Feller photo, Ben! He was probably throwing in the high 80s at that age! :eek:

This photo was taken at the first ever (Aug. 1962) performance of the Beatles with Ringo Starr. The Boys then recorded "Love Me Do" on September 4th. In late November they recorded what would be the Beatles first number 1 record... "Please Please Me" and the rest, as they say, is history.

6999869999

[bigtrain]

Here's a high school photo of new HOF member, Ron Santo. Nice vest.

[David Atkatz]

For you, Jimmy. Signed photo of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes--with their drummer Ringo--performing at Butlin's Holiday Camp.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/datkatz/rorystormsp.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/datkatz/rorystormspsigs.jpg

[novakjr]

I've posted before. But it's one of the plastic celebratory/advertising balls that would be thrown out after a touchdown by the Lake Catholic Cheerleaders, from the 1992 Div. II(maybe III, can't remember) Ohio State Championship football game..Signed by Joe Jurevicius(during his senior year) and others. I also have a single signed one.

[kdixon]

Here is a young Zach Wheat when he played for the Prairie Roses. He is the player on the left on the top row.

[ksfarmboy]

Ken, nice photo. Where is Prairie Rose located? Have you found anything with him from Kansas as far as baseball photos?

Here's Carl Mays when he played for Price, Utah.

[kdixon]

Clint, it was a Kansas City based team, I believe from Kansas City Kansas. If I find out it was different I will post it. I have pictures of him with the Union Club which I believe was also was Kansas City based.

[ksfarmboy]

Ken, I know he played for the Enterprise, KS team too but have never seen such photo. Thanks.

[kdixon]

I have not seen a Enterprise Ks photo either. If I run across one I will let you know.

[ksfarmboy]

Thanks Ken.

[BradH]

Bobby Cox - in his back yard in California, on the day he signed with the Dodgers in August 1959.

[thekingofclout]

Here are three photos of Lou Gehrig dating from 1923, 1924, and his Rookie year of 1925.

The first one also happens to be the first ever photograph of Gehrig in a Yankees uniform, as the companion piece newspaper clearly states.
700677006970081

7007470078

[Forever Young]

Here are three photos of Lou Gehrig dating from 1923, 1924, and his Rookie year of 1925.

The first one also happens to be the first ever photograph of Gehrig in a Yankees uniform, as the companion piece newspaper clearly states.
700677006970081

7007470078

Doesn't get any better than these as it relates to gehrig. These are spectacular...now just need a Columbia type 1:)

[thekingofclout]

For you, Jimmy. Signed photo of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes--with their drummer Ringo--performing at Butlin's Holiday Camp.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/datkatz/rorystormsp.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/datkatz/rorystormspsigs.jpg

OMG David!:eek: Where on Earth did you find this historic photograph? And signed by Ringo to boot. The way you pull nuggets like this out of your collection, continues to amaze me.

Man... I can't get over this one. What a really special piece. I'd love to see it go up for sale at a live auction like Sothebys, Christies, or Heritage and watch the Heavyweights trade blows.

Thanks for posting that for me, David. Made my day!:D

By best, Jimmy

BTW... Just how cool is that they wrote what instrument they play underneath their signatures!

[bcbgcbrcb]

Here's a 1914 Michigan University Baseball Program picturing George Sisler on the cover.................

[Forever Young]

Here's a 1914 Michigan University Baseball Program picturing George Sisler on the cover.................

Very cool phil! I must say, I am happy beckett got this one right and didn't slab it a type 1 photo. :)

[Lordstan]

Here are three photos of Lou Gehrig dating from 1923, 1924, and his Rookie year of 1925.

70078

Jimmy,
You just had to show the Conlon didn't you. :D

I know it isn't prewar, but it is one of Cal Ripken's co-first card.
1980 Charlotte O's Police set.
This card/set is the Holy Grail of Ripken cards. The set was not distributed in one shot like the same year version that is blue. That set was given away at the park at one game during the season. These cards were handed out by Police a few per week. Apparently, there are only a handful known.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/lordstan/Lou/RipkenCharlotte.jpg

[dell webb]

Joe with the Victor Mill team. He is standing at the far left.

[thekingofclout]

That is a terrific piece, Dell. Wow, the shoeless one back in '07 - how sweet is that!

Here's the Bambino from his rookie campaign in 1915...

70194

[barrysloate]

For you, Jimmy. Signed photo of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes--with their drummer Ringo--performing at Butlin's Holiday Camp.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/datkatz/rorystormsp.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j245/datkatz/rorystormspsigs.jpg

What an exceptional photo and signature this is. Butlin Camp is of course a great footnote to Beatles history. One morning in August, 1962, Ringo was awakened by a knock on his cabin door. It was John and Paul, who had traveled some three hours to tell Ringo that they were about to fire Pete Best, and would Ringo be willing to leave Rory Storm and take his place as the Beatles' new drummer. Once Rory finally agreed to let him go, Ringo became a Beatle. I'm not sure of the exact date this took place, but I am guessing Monday, August 6, 1962. It was an off day for the band so it's a logical choice. That 50th anniversary is only a week away.

And that's the first photo I've seen of the Hurricanes in Butlin, so it offers some historical context. Really great piece.

[dwr11]

Here is a sketch of Bill "Moose" Skowron from 1950 along with a souvenir book from the summer he played for the Austin Packers. Later in the summer he signed with the New York Yankees.

[David Atkatz]

What an exceptional photo and signature this is. Butlin Camp is of course a great footnote to Beatles history. One morning in August, 1962, Ringo was awakened by a knock on his cabin door. It was John and Paul, who had traveled some three hours to tell Ringo that they were about to fire Pete Best, and would Ringo be willing to leave Rory Storm and take his place as the Beatles' new drummer. Once Rory finally agreed to let him go, Ringo became a Beatle. I'm not sure of the exact date this took place, but I am guessing Monday, August 6, 1962. It was an off day for the band so it's a logical choice. That 50th anniversary is only a week away.

And that's the first photo I've seen of the Hurricanes in Butlin, so it offers some historical context. Really great piece.

All true, Barry. But, there was more than one Butlin's. The photo I own was taken at Butlins Holiday Camp, Pwllheli, North Wales, in June, 1960. Here are some others from that set of gigs:

http://www.beatlesource.com/savage/1960/60.07-09%20butlins%20-%20ringo/60.07.XXbutlins-ringo.html

Notice the set of autographs at the bottom of the page, dated June 1960--the one Frank Caiazzo states is Ringo's earliest known autograph. There's a photographer's notation on the photo, "nc 167." My photo has the same notation--in the same hand--"nc 164." So my photo dates from June 1960 as well, and the Ringo signature is at least as old. Hot Damn!

[barrysloate]

That's great stuff David. I believe that after the Hurricanes finished their Butlins' gig in September, they headed for Hamburg where they shared a bill with the Beatles at the Kaiserkeller. This is where the Beatles first got to know Ringo.

[Forever Young]

all true, barry. But, there was more than one butlin's. The photo i own was taken at butlins holiday camp, pwllheli, north wales, in june, 1960. Here are some others from that set of gigs:

http://www.beatlesource.com/savage/1960/60.07-09%20butlins%20-%20ringo/60.07.xxbutlins-ringo.html

notice the set of autographs at the bottom of the page, dated june 1960--the one frank caiazzo states is ringo's earliest known autograph. There's a photographer's notation on the photo, "nc 167." my photo has the same notation--in the same hand--"nc 164." so my photo dates from june 1960 as well, and the ringo signature is at least as old. Hot damn!

awesome

[smtjoy]

Great stuff everyone, here is a 1954 Clemente-

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/smtjoy/Clemente%20Collection/Odd%20Ball%20Stuff/1954ClementePRPhoto.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/smtjoy/Clemente%20Collection/Odd%20Ball%20Stuff/1954ClementePRPhotoBack.jpg

[thekingofclout]

Jimmy,
You just had to show the Conlon didn't you. :D [/IMG]

Well Mark, 1925 was Lou's Rookie Year. And besides, you own the colored one! ;)

Here are a couple of Freshman from 1936 & 1939 respectively. They may have been Rooks, but each had one of the best Rookie seasons Baseball had ever seen!


7024970250

[Scott Garner]

That is a terrific piece, Dell. Wow, the shoeless one back in '07 - how sweet is that!

Here's the Bambino from his rookie campaign in 1915...

70194

Jimmy,
This rookie Ruth photo is really one of my all-time favorites. The way that it captures Ruth, the Stadium behind him in black and white is truly spectacular. Every time you have shown it my jaw drops. Congrats again on owning this in your personal collection. A true centerpiece!

[39special]

Great stuff everyone, here is a 1954 Clemente-

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/smtjoy/Clemente%20Collection/Odd%20Ball%20Stuff/1954ClementePRPhoto.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/smtjoy/Clemente%20Collection/Odd%20Ball%20Stuff/1954ClementePRPhotoBack.jpg

Very nice Clemente!!

[Bumpus Jones]

I believe this pic to be taken at the dawn of Pete's big league career. Most likely taken in spring training in 1963 or possibly 62. As you can see, Pete's hat doesn't even fit his head and was probably borrowed...

[Frozen in Time]

Here are a few pre-rookie photos of Mickey. The first was taken on Sept.14, 1950 in his Joplin uniform and used by the press as he was about to start a 2 week travel run with the Yankees which began on Sept 20. On the back of this Type 1 photo , in addition to the photographer's name, written in pencil "to the Yankees".

The second is an enlargement of a rare 1950 Joplin Team premium photo with his facsimile auto - note the Mick's attempt at a Ruthian epsilon 'e" in Mickey which is also present on a Type 1 Joplin Team photo I have signed by all of the players.

The third is a "one of a kind" 1950 Type 1 taken by Orrick Sparlin in the parking yard of the Eagle Pitcher Mining Co., in its original frame which hung in their office for years.

[Frozen in Time]

Although not pre-rookie, the Mick still looks pretty young in these Type 1's from his rookie season. The first was taken by Don Wingfield and used by General Mills for the "Wheaties Test Issue". The second is from June 1951, shortly before Mickey was sent to Kansas City, and shows quite vividly the pressure he felt at this point in his rookie season. And the third is from April 26, 1951 as he arrived in Boston for a series against the Red Sox. The backdrop is the lobby of the Kenmore Hotel in Boston a venue that would gain later fame based on Mickey and Billy's late night exploits! I just love that mile long, ear to ear grin. And what a fashion plate the Oklahoma farm boy is - look at that shirt! The other interesting thing depicted in this image is that the muscle man almost looks normal in this outfit but, as many of his team mates would point out, Mickey was the only person they had ever seen that actually got bigger the more clothes he took off. Opps - that didn't sound right but you know what I mean.

[repsher]

Lou Boudreau playing college basketball.

[Forever Young]

Theodore
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad320/weino23/teddy.jpg

Little Mickey
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad320/weino23/mantle_horse_1.jpg

[Forever Young]

Anyone else have any pre-rookie sigs?

The postcard Below was signed by Maris while playing on the Fargo/Moorhead team in 1953 under his given name of Maras.

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad320/weino23/maraswater.jpg

[sportsbaron]

Lansing Everett Yearbook Supplement
http://my.voyager.net/~nbaron/buildphotos/EverettArchivesTeam0173.jpg
http://my.voyager.net/~nbaron/buildphotos/EverettArchives0172.jpg

[David Atkatz]

Anyone else have any pre-rookie sigs?

The postcard Below was signed by Maris while playing on the Fargo/Moorhead team in 1953 under his given name of Maras.

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad320/weino23/maraswater.jpgThat's impressive!

[thekingofclout]

Bobby Cox - in his back yard in California, on the day he signed with the Dodgers in August 1959. 76755

I just love this Cox snapshot! Can you imagine the excitement, as he just signed a pro contract in his folks living room, donned his new Dodger uniform, and out to the backyard to have this picture taken by his Pop! Well, that's how I imagined it unfolded! :D

Lansing Everett Yearbook Supplement
http://my.voyager.net/~nbaron/buildphotos/EverettArchivesTeam0173.jpg
http://my.voyager.net/~nbaron/buildphotos/EverettArchives0172.jpg

And this Magic & Team yearbook insert is really cool. Check out everyone's stats. The number two scorer averaged 11.3 to Magic's 28.8 and he also had more than twice as many rebounds as the runner up! So within four short years, Magic lead his teammates to State, NCAA, and NBA Championships! :eek:

Here's the Bambino and a few of the other Sox pitchers from 1915. TYPE 1 photo.

76754

[roarfrom34]

Cal Ripken Jr. 3rd Grade Class Photo (center of photo)

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/whhp72/Misc%20Ripken/1Elem.jpg

[sayhey24]

I'll keep the Cal Ripken theme going -- here is his game bat from 1978 while playing for Bluefield.

Greg

[ramram]

1934 - 1936 Iowa State Amateur Baseball Tournament scorebook. Playing against much older seasoned ballplayers was a 16 year old high schooler named Bob Feller. This was the tournament at which Feller was "found" by superscout Cy Slapnicka. He was signed shortly thereafter. The scorebook was the official scorers book kept by the Iowa Amateur Athletic Association's State Chairman Joe Campbell. Feller's team of farm boys ended up winning the tournament against many of the well sponsored city boys. Feller was probably 8 - 10 years younger than most of the participants.

In the tournament, Feller pitched 27 1/3 innings, had 49 strikeouts and gave up 14 hits, 10 walks, 4 runs (1 earned run). The only earned run was on a home run.

Rob M.

76788

76789

[Scott Garner]

1934 - 1936 Iowa State Amateur Baseball Tournament scorebook. Playing against much older seasoned ballplayers was a 16 year old high schooler named Bob Feller. This was the tournament at which Feller was "found" by superscout Cy Slapnicka. He was signed shortly thereafter. The scorebook was the official scorers book kept by the Iowa Amateur Athletic Association's State Chairman Joe Campbell. Feller's team of farm boys ended up winning the tournament against many of the well sponsored city boys. Feller was probably 8 - 10 years younger than most of the participants.

In the tournament, Feller pitched 27 1/3 innings, had 49 strikeouts and gave up 14 hits, 10 walks, 4 runs (1 earned run). The only earned run was on a home run.

Rob M.

76788

76789

Rob,
That's an awesome pickup! Very cool- congrats!

[Forever Young]

That's impressive!

Thank you David.. I just had to have this as it is in my backyard. It is oneof my favorite pieces. I am glad someone else appreciates a little Maras too.

[Runscott]

Hello all,

One theme I love to collect is pre-rookie and rookie related photos and autographs.
I am curious to see what else is out there in these two areas as well as countless other forms of memorabilia. I just picked up this beautiful studio photo of Mr. Bob Feller long before he threw 107.9 mph. This originated from the feller estate.
Let's see what you have!

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad320/weino23/feller-1.jpg

That photo would go great displayed with my Feller pre-rookie item - the mitt his Dad used to catch him prior to his going pro, age 13-16 according to Feller:

[Den*nis O*Brien]

The LL WS program comes from the Ken Hubbs estate and is autographed by most of the oficials and support staff. Some personalizations to his Dad and some to Ken. John "Boog" Powell is pictured in the Lakeland Florida team photo. The GPC was written while Ken played for Morristown.

[Forever Young]

The LL WS program comes from the Ken Hubbs estate and is autographed by most of the oficials and support staff. Some personalizations to his Dad and some to Ken. John "Boog" Powell is pictured in the Lakeland Florida team photo. The GPC was written while Ken played for Morristown.

Wow.. what a great piece! Not sure how I missed this.

Below is my pre-rookie letter(38 ted williams) with baseball content.

“Hit a homer the first day in KC but yesterday I didn’t even hit a loud foul. Today I’m going to try to hit another one out. I’ve got 11 already” “Sure is hot here it was 83 the first day here. Next time we hit town it will probably be 100”.

[Runscott]

Casey Stengel, barnstorming the summer after his senior year in high school.

[kdixon]

Zach Wheat when he played for the Kansas City Union club.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Very nice, Kenny. What year was that?

[kdixon]

I believe it was 1906. He had played with the Prairie Roses before that and I posted that earlier in this thread. He played for several different teams in KC.

[Exhibitman]

A few oddball pieces:

1968-69 ABA Minnesota Pipers Connie Hawkins team-issue card:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/miscellaneous3/websize/014.jpg

1950-51 Toleteros Jim Gilliam:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/miscellaneous3/websize/1950-51%20Toleteros%20Gilliam.jpg

H815 Adam Hats Jake La Motta, issued before he became champ:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/rareboxingcards/websize/H815%20Adam%20Hats%20LaMotta_1.jpg

Julie Newmar, pre-Cat Woman:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/rareboxingcards/websize/Newmar_1.jpg

[thecatspajamas]

1950-51 Toleteros Jim Gilliam:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/miscellaneous3/websize/1950-51%20Toleteros%20Gilliam.jpg

Nice group of cards there (especially the last one). The Gilliam shows him with the Santurce Congregeros (Crabbers) insread of Toleteros though.

[Runscott]

Nice group of cards there (especially the last one). The Gilliam shows him with the Santurce Congregeros (Crabbers) insread of Toleteros though.

Everyone in that set played for the Toleteros :p

[thecatspajamas]

Everyone in that set played for the Toleteros :p

Huh. Okay, I concede complete ignorance on the card set itself. (Sorry Adam).

I was just going by the translation of the uniform. Señora Alfaro, my high school Spanish teacher, would be proud, but she was probably ignorant of Mexican baseball as well :p

[thecatspajamas]

...she was probably ignorant of Mexican baseball as well :p

Make that Puerto Rican baseball. Geez. This is what I get for making a quick post without researching first!

In order to redeem myself by contributing something to this thread, how about this photo of Bobby Brown in a Cincinnati Reds uniform.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll13/thecatspajamas99/L-/23/GB4061_2.jpg

Until a few days ago, I wouldn't have said it fit the theme. But I was chatting with Graig about it, and he dug up a Google Books excerpt from "Bridging Two Dynasties: The 1947 New York Yankees" which states in the chapter on Bobby Brown:

"In 1941, while a junior at Galileo, he was noticed by a Cincinnati Reds scout, who had seen the Galileo squad destroy the University of California freshman baseball team. After the game, the scout, who was also a professor at Berkeley, asked young Bobby if he would like to go to Cincinnati and work out with the Reds. Bobby, a shortstop, promptly agreed. That summer he took the train to Ohio and worked out for ten days with the Reds, followed by an additional three-day workout when the team went to Chicago."

As this shot was taken by George Burke, it is likely that this photo was taken when the Reds came to Chicago, Burke's base of operations. Looking at the Reds' schedule for 1941, there are only two instances where they played at home for 10+ days followed by 3 days in Chicago, with the second of these occurring in late September (in other words, not summer). The first schedule match for 1941 had the Reds in Chicago from May 23 to 25, which fits the narrative above. Thus we have a young Bobby Brown in the uniform of a club that he never officially played for, nearly 5 years before he would signed by the Yankees and sent to Newark, and just over 5 years before he would make his major league debut in New York.

[Runscott]

Huh. Okay, I concede complete ignorance on the card set itself. (Sorry Adam).

I was just going by the translation of the uniform. Señora Alfaro, my high school Spanish teacher, would be proud, but she was probably ignorant of Mexican baseball as well :p

Lance, I apologize for making a joke at your expense - I knew you could take it, or I wouldn't have (plus, I have no self-control :))

[whitehse]

Make that Puerto Rican baseball. Geez. This is what I get for making a quick post without researching first!

In order to redeem myself by contributing something to this thread, how about this photo of Bobby Brown in a Cincinnati Reds uniform.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll13/thecatspajamas99/L-/23/GB4061_2.jpg

Until a few days ago, I wouldn't have said it fit the theme. But I was chatting with Graig about it, and he dug up a Google Books excerpt from "Bridging Two Dynasties: The 1947 New York Yankees" which states in the chapter on Bobby Brown:

"In 1941, while a junior at Galileo, he was noticed by a Cincinnati Reds scout, who had seen the Galileo squad destroy the University of California freshman baseball team. After the game, the scout, who was also a professor at Berkeley, asked young Bobby if he would like to go to Cincinnati and work out with the Reds. Bobby, a shortstop, promptly agreed. That summer he took the train to Ohio and worked out for ten days with the Reds, followed by an additional three-day workout when the team went to Chicago."

As this shot was taken by George Burke, it is likely that this photo was taken when the Reds came to Chicago, Burke's base of operations. Looking at the Reds' schedule for 1941, there are only two instances where they played at home for 10+ days followed by 3 days in Chicago, with the second of these occurring in late September (in other words, not summer). The first schedule match for 1941 had the Reds in Chicago from May 23 to 25, which fits the narrative above. Thus we have a young Bobby Brown in the uniform of a club that he never officially played for, nearly 5 years before he would signed by the Yankees and sent to Newark, and just over 5 years before he would make his major league debut in New York.

Cool photo and I think you are right as there is no doubt in my mind that is Wrigley Field where the picture was taken.

[thecatspajamas]

Lance, I apologize for making a joke at your expense - I knew you could take it, or I wouldn't have (plus, I have no self-control :))

Scott, no worries. I have thick skin, and I'd much rather you make a joke of it than start your replay with "Hey dummy..."

AND I learned a little something about that particular card issue (after fumbling a couple more times), so it's all good. :D