Signed Vintage MLB 1950’s Baseball with over a dozen signatures - what is it?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

As noted, the one under Hudson is indeed Hal "Skinny" Brown, but you do have a Henry Aaron by the looks of it! It's at the top of the final photo you posted.

[MnBoy2022]

Wow, I think you may be right! I was fixated on looking at that other Hal Brown signature. And it would make more sense. On closer inspection the other signature does look like it might be Hank Aaron’s, it’s a bit faded but the H in Henry appears to have matching similarities to the early “Henry” signatures shown on the internet.

Could it really be?

[MnBoy2022]

Here are two better pics of that signature:

[bjerome]

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that signature is of Henry Aaron. While the signature I am going to point out is a facsimile of Aaron's signature. Take a look at Aaron's 1954 Topps Rookie Card and look at how the signature is presented. The formation of the H is spot on. If this ball is in fact from that day. You have yourself a diamond in the rough!

[MnBoy2022]

It looks as though it really is Henry on the ball. Amazing! Now, exactly when that 1954 game was played is really becoming interesting:

Here is an article on the 1954 spring training games and Henry Aaron’s first start and apparently, first home run in the majors - a spring training game on March 10th, 1954 - against the Red Sox - a game Ted Williams would have been at if not for an injury!

Is this the game my grandfather’s ball came from?

This author claims some controversy or stories that may have gotten confused over the years. Fascinating.

I have no idea.

Article:

http://matttavaresbooks.blogspot.com...ons-first.html

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by bjerome

Take a look at Aaron's 1954 Topps Rookie Card and look at how the signature is presented. The formation of the H is spot on.

+1

[MnBoy2022]

So, it appears the ball has several hall of fame signatures on it, including Henry Aaron. It also, through deduction appears to be from a spring trading game on either on March 10th, 1954, or March 14, 1954, in which Henry Aaron made his first appearance in the majors (albeit spring training) and hit his first home run in the majors.

I guess I may never know the circumstances in which my grandfather acquired this ball unless there’s someone out there connected to it, but it’s neat to find out that it has some real significance.

Thank you to all of the forum members who have contributed thus far to helping identify this ball.

[effe]

The Red Sox and Braves played in 5 additional exhibition games in 1954 before the start of the season. One in WV, one in KY and 3 in Milwaukee.