Frustrated with research on vintage baseball

[JCC1968]

Hi

It 's a little frustration but it can be sooo rewarding. I recently picked up a baseball signed by umpire Larry McCoy and below his name he wrote 1977 World Series. I was alittle skeptical because it was an old style Spalding instead of a new Rawlings. After sending him the information along with pictures. He wrote me back stating that it was indeed game used from this series and that it that his signature was real on the baseball. Most people like myself would think a Spalding baseball in the 1977 World Series is impossible but, who is going to argue with the letter and testimony from the horse's mouth? Anything else is just guessing in my book and in this case impossible to docuement without actual proof.


Jason

[mjkm90]

I believe he is wrong about that ball. It may have been a warm up ball, but in 1977 Rawlings became the exclusive ball of both leagues for the first time. If anyone thinks Rawlings would allow anything but their balls to be used during the first World Series where they had exclusivity, I have a bridge to sell them.

[JCC1968]

Hi

I know it sounds strange but who ya going to believe? The guy who signed the baseball who worked the plate or what everyone else wants you to believe? I have had various phone conversations with Mr.McCoy and he said Rawlings was not the only thing in his ball bag. Hey it is possible that some Spaldings made it in right? At least Mr. McCoy thinks so. He felt strong enough to state it in writing.

Jason

[suave1477]

who is going to argue with the letter and testimony from the horse's mouth?


Jason

JCC1968 I hate to say this but I disagree with you as it has been proven many times by people where players have made mistakes when an item may have been used or signed or something of that nature. Unfortunately you cant just go by the word of that person. There have been many recent cases with mistaken items of players that they say were something that they werent.
Think for a second - Lets say a week ago I put my car keys down in the kitchen I go back to look for them and they are gone now I could swear up and down that they were there just to find out an hour later they are sitting on my bed in my bedroom / its just an honest mishap of memory.

Now here you have an Old Guy whos trying to remember something from 30 years ago who I am sure at this point has millions of memories of the game which all tend to blend together after a while.

I cant remember where I left my car keys were an hour before and I am no where near his age and I am sure you have done something similar / What makes you think he can honestly remember exactly what took place 30 years ago?

[JCC1968]

Hi

Not trying to start a arguement but when you sign the baseball and write 1977 world series to your clubhouse attendant you would kinda remember this right? I could understand if you just signed your name and nothing else this would be hard but you docuement from what game it was from but, this makes things easier right? With all the information on the ball and with back up testomy on top? How else does anyone else docuement baseballs otherwise from events that happened and the people involved are no longer with us? I hate to disagree but how many of us worked the 1977 World Series? So, isn't possible that the baseball and the man are not wrong?

Jason

[mjkm90]

I would agree that him dating it makes a big difference. Also, he isn't selling it, just authenticating it. I would say that is good enough for me to be able to sleep at night. Enjoy the ball. I do also believe, now that I think about it, that there could be both brands of balls around. Sponsors probably weren't as freeky as they are today.