Help with Autos on Baseball

[Case12]

Hi everyone. I just got this baseball on ebay. Put in minimum bid of $9.99. I figured why not Lots of great names on it. The owner obviously put time into figuring out some of the autos - some like Brooks Robinson, Andre Dawson...(15 of 23?, Or only 16? Hard to tell).

Now for the homework:
-Did the owner get the names right?
-Who are the 8 he couldn't figure out?
-Why a World Series baseball?
-Why this eclectic group of players?

I'm going to guess an autograph show, and the only baseball on hand was this world series one??

Here are a bunch of screenshots. I really appreciate the help. Not bad for 10 bucks....

Thanks, Casey

[Steve D]

I see 22 signatures:

Al Dark
Dave Henderson
Amos Otis
Wayne Garrett
Brooks Robinson
?
Ron Taylor
?
Paul Casanova
Andy Pafko
Al Hrabosky
Paul Blair
Jeff Conine
Ron Swoboda
?
Art Shamsky
Al Downing
Tommy Davis
Andre Dawson
Roy Sievers
?
Mickey Lolich

There is another signature above the World Series logo, but it isn't sufficiently visible in any of the pictures.

Steve

[MooseDog]

Gene Michael between Taylor and Casanova

Cookie Rojas between Swoboda and Shamsky

Rennie Stennett (I think) above Lolich.

[Case12]

Awesome! Great!

So, in picture 10, I still have the unknown name below Brooks Robinson? (S -------?)

Also I will post a picture of the auto above the world series logo when I get the ball in hand.

Interesting group of autos.

[dgo71]

It's possible this group was put on a WS ball because they all appeared in the World Series at some point in their career. Beyond that I don't really see much tying them together.

That said, from what little I can see of the signature above the WS logo, it looks like Orestes Destrade, and I don't believe he ever appeared in a World Series.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by dgo71

It's possible this group was put on a WS ball because they all appeared in the World Series at some point in their career. Beyond that I don't really see much tying them together.

That said, from what little I can see of the signature above the WS logo, it looks like Orestes Destrade, and I don't believe he ever appeared in a World Series.

They all wanted to be in a World Series. Bingo!!!

[philliesfan]

Photo # 5.
Is the second one from the top Juan Marichal?

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by philliesfan

Photo # 5.
Is the second one from the top Juan Marichal?

I believe MooseDog correctly tabbed that one as Gene Michael.

Steve

[Case12]

Hello all. I got the ball in the mail and took photos of the ? Autographs.

Any ideas? This ball is an odd duck.

Thanks for everyones help!

[MooseDog]

The one above the WS logo is Orestes Destrade.

[Case12]

Awesome.

Is the other, Rennie Stennett?

And still don't know the one below Brooks Robinson? Starts with S? Thoughts?

[Steve D]

Yes, the one between Roy Sievers and Mickey Lolich is Rennie Stennett.

The only one that hasn't been identified, is the one on the sweet spot with Brooks Robinson.


Steve

[Case12]

Anyone have any ideas for this last one please?? I am guessing the initial is an S?

Quite a weird ball. I've been searching the web trying to find connections or events. None. Some connections with Mets, Marlins, World series players. But only a few. All signers (except one) used the same pen...maybe implying this was all one event. No current players. I contacted the seller...he doesn't know.

Fun puzzle. :-)

Thanks

[perezfan]

Wish I could identify that last one, but am still stumped.

As for the specific event, I would guess a Celebrity or MLB Alumni Golf Tournament. Lot #769 in the current LOTG Auction (my consignment) is from a Celebrity Golf Tournament, and has many of the same names. So that's my educated best guess to tie these names together.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I am leaning toward a very rushed Stan Belinda, who has exhibited many autograph versions, but never in my recollection has just signed first initial only.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

That's immediately who I thought it was when you first posted it. Have been sitting on this feeling ever since. It's a partial match--especially that S. I'm not normally interested in posting if not 100% confident, but nobody else has even ventured a guess, so I'll put it out there that it's most likely Belinda.

[Case12]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Wish I could identify that last one, but am still stumped.

As for the specific event, I would guess a Celebrity or MLB Alumni Golf Tournament. Lot #769 in the current LOTG Auction (my consignment) is from a Celebrity Golf Tournament, and has many of the same names. So that's my educated best guess to tie these names together.

This led me to search differently. Since Brooks Robinson is on the sweet spot, I started there. Well, it turns out Brooks Robinson is president of the MLBPAA (MLB Players Alumni Association). They do tons of events and handout awards to each other for their activity in volunteer work. One of those is the Brooks Robinson Lifetime Award. Very common for a large group of MLB players to gather each year to handout awards to each other and raise money for charity and the MLBPAA. Very public event. Im feeling confident this is one of those events. Now I will have more fun sleuthing which one - and what in the world a1997 WS ball has to do with it, if at all.