1933 San Fransisco Seals-signed Baseball
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APPRAISER:
Most people have heard of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in 1941. Not many people know that in 1933, he had a 61-game hitting streak. Here we have a relic from that year.
GUEST:
Well, it is an autographed baseball for the 1933 San Francisco Seals, which were a member of the Pacific Coast League, or old Pacific Coast League. I had an uncle who was the shortstop for the Seals at that time.
APPRAISER:
Actually, your uncle signed this ball, didn't he?
GEUST: That's right.
APPRAISER:
Right there.
GUEST:
Carl Sever.
APPRAISER:
Did he go on to the major leagues?
GUEST:
No, he didn't. I think he did some scouting for one of the Eastern teams, I think either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.
APPRAISER:
Well, we know one guy in particular who definitely made it to the major leagues on the '33 Seals, and that, of course, was the great Joe DiMaggio.
GUEST:
That's right.
APPRAISER:
And his signature's right here. Now, Joe was only 19 years old in 1933. He was in his second professional year of baseball. Boy, did he make a hell of a debut by this unbelievable 61-game hitting streak. And I know your uncle was part of that.
GUEST:
Well, that's my understanding. I think the 61st game, Joe was hitless going into the bottom of the eighth, and there were six batters before Joe would come up for his last at-bat. And so my uncle was one of the six batters who was able to get a hit, prolong the inning, and Joe came up and got the hit in the bottom of the eighth and made it 61 games.
APPRAISER:
Unbelievable. Amazing that someone could do that in the minor leagues, and then do it in the major leagues. Just incredible-- he was one of the greatest of all time. Now, we don't usually do minor league baseballs on the show. In fact, I think this might be the very first one we've ever done. But I got to tell you something, Dave-- this is the mother of all minor league baseballs. The Pacific Coast League, West Coast baseball in general in the 1930s, that stuff is so collectible, none more so than the Seals, and none more so than Joe DiMaggio on the Seals. So here we have it all wrapped up into one baseball. We also have, of course, the provenance-- this actually came from your uncle, he's on the ball. This has remained in your family all these years, and you've kept it very nice. It's not in perfect condition, but it's good enough, because you do not see these baseballs anywhere. What's also great is, this is actually on a Pacific Coast League ball, which makes it that much more special. This might have been a game ball, very possibly. Do you have any idea what it might be worth?
GUEST:
I haven't seen any prices for a Pacific Coast League or minor league ball, so no, I don't.
APPRAISER:
I know it's a family heirloom and you love it, so I know it ain't going anywhere anytime soon. But I'll tell you something-- I wouldn't insure this for less than $10,000.
GUEST:
Really? Wow.
APPRAISER:
I think it's spectacular.
GUEST:
Wow. I would have never guessed. (laughs)
APPRAISER:
It's an amazing piece.
GUEST:
I thought $500 maybe.
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