Anyone collect contracts/have any to show off?

[Scott Garner]

I do own a few contracts, mostly related to Nolan Ryan and Johnny Vander Meer.

Here are Vandy's personal copies of the two contracts that he had during his historic 1938 season that he threw back to back no-hitters on 6/11/38 and 6/15/38. I acquired these separately over a decade of searching once I realized that there were two contracts out there.

Vandy started the 1938 season with a $500/ month contract since it was not known whether he would stay up with the team after struggling in his 1937 season. In late May, Reds upper management was convinced that Vandy would certainly "stick" in the majors. As a show of good faith, they tore up his monthly contract and game him an annual contract for $4,000.
Although these contracts seem laughable compared to today's player contracts, they were consistent with what 1st year players typically received during this era. Reds GM Warren Giles offered to manage Vandy's endorsement deals that came his way after his consecutive no-hitters. He reported to the press that Vandy made over $20K in 1938 including endorsement deals which was pretty solid for the Depression Era...

Note: At the end of 1938 Vandy received his 1939 Players contract and it bumped him up to $8,000 in '39. I own this contract as well.

[btcarfagno]

The centerpiece of my women in baseball collection.

1898 contract between Lizzie Arlington (Stride) and the Atlantic League for Lizzie to play for different teams in the league. It is only documented that she played in one game, although Ed Barrow (who signed her to the contract and whose signature is also on the contract) recalled years later that she played in several games.

What we know for certain is that she pitched a scoreless inning and may have also played second base for The Reading Coal Heavers against the Allentown Peanuts. This made her the first, and to this date the only, woman to play in an affiliated minor league regular season game.

This is the contract that made it happen.

[Bumpus Jones]

Those are pretty awesome Scott. Didn't realize you had those.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Bumpus Jones

Those are pretty awesome Scott. Didn't realize you had those.

Hi Chris,
I'm very proud to own them. They reside on the top shelf of my Vandy showcase that you have seen before. At some point in time, Vandy scribbled in pencil over the $500 amount on the initial 1938 contract. He must have been somewhat embarrassed about the small amount that the Reds were paying him. I guess he liked the sound of $4,000 much better.
I know I would.

[mr2686]

Here's a contract for George Hendrick's 1985 season with the Pirates. Purchased it mainly for the Joe. L. Brown sig (which at the time was a bit harder to find than it is now)...come to think of it, Hendrick wasn't signing then either, so it just goes to show you that once hard to find autos can become easy and visa versa.

[whiteymet]

Hi Gang:

A few of my Hartland contracts the players signed to be included in the Hartland set.

Fred

[roarfrom34]

Here is a 1984 contract of Cal Ripken Jr.'s to appear on Sports Illustrated posters: