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Posted By: JimB

The first Dalai Lama was alive from 1391-1474. The current Dalai Lama, the 14th, was born in 1935. He was enthroned as the Dalai Lama at the age of 4. He was given power as the political ruler of Tibet at 16 in 1951. So an autograph from his rookie year could either be seen as 1939 or 1951. Since he probably did not know how to write yet at the age of four, I would go for 1951 as the rookie year. His training from 1939-1951 could be seen as his time in the minors. It would be like a Baltimore News Ruth.

FYI, the signature on the ball says, "Tenzin Gyatso" which is a portion of the very lengthy name he was given when he was enthroned.

JimB

P.S. Nobody is pulling up the Caddy Shack joke yet. You guys are lagging.