Ollie Vanek/Stan Musial memorabilia
 

Hi. I am new to the forum and not really knowledgeable about the history of baseball. I was born in the UK but have lived in the US most of my life. While sorting through some old photos, I found a picture of my dad in his British Royal Navy uniform holding what appears to be a baseball and flanked by two men, one in a Red Birds uniform. It is a WWII photo. I realized I had an old signed baseball so I decided to do some research. The baseball is signed by Ollie Vanek, manager for the Williamson Redbirds, which I have learned is a minor league team affiliated with the Cardinals. I also know Ollie Vanek was instrumental in scouting Stan Musial for the Cardinals as an outfielder too. What I don’t know for sure is who the two men are in the photo. I assume one is Ollie Vanek given the signature on the ball, but which one? Also, the player in uniform looks a lot like Stan Musial, who I learned played for the Redbirds before playing for the cardinals. I know my Dad visited the US while serving in the Royal Navy and he loved sports. Can someone help with the ID? Thanks.

need a much larger image to have any chance of helping you.

How can I get it any clearer? I zoomed in, so maybe this is better?

Nice photo but that's not Musial

Thanks. Then it must be Ollie Vanek. Do you know if his signed ball would have any value?

Not Musial for sure, and that's not a Cardinals uniform, its the Redbirds minor league uni, so probably Vanek. He managed Cardinals farm teams from 1937-1948.