Help identifying autograph (and source) on this Negro League signed baseball

[Topnotchsy]

Hey all,

Just won this Negro League signed baseball, and am trying to determine who the final signer is, and when it might have been autographed.

From the listing and my own efforts I believe the signatures are:
1) Jackie Robinson
2) Don Zimmer
3) Mickey Vernon
4) Bob(by) Young
5) Gil Hodges
6) ? (For some reason I keep thinking Birdie Tebbets, though not certain why)

Bob Young was part of the 1953 Jackie Robinson All-Stars Tour and otherwise played in the AL. I also have another Negro League ball signed by the 1953 Jackie Robinson All-Stars, so the idea of a Negro League ball with an integrated case of signatures makes sense. That said, I don't recall seeing Zimmer or Vernon associated with that Tour, so not sure that fits (Hodges was, and Jackie obviously was).

Would love any thoughts on the final signature (under Hodges), and any thoughts on where the ball might have been signed.

Any help is appreciated!

[Jason19th]

Is it possibly it’s Luke Easter- he was on the 53 tour and the end of the first name and the start of the last seem to fit

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Jason19th

Is it possibly it’s Luke Easter- he was on the 53 tour and the end of the first name and the start of the last seem to fit

Just noticed that I never came back to this thread. From the looks of it I think you are probably right, and I know they had Negro League balls for that series (since I’ve seen others signed by that particular group).

Thank you!