Ray Dandridge Hall Of Fame Negro League Signed Baseball

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No Reserve. Original. Ex. - Near Mint Condition. Offered is a gorgeous Baseball signed by Hall Of Fame Star Third Baseman Ray Dandridge. A star of the Negro Leagues, Ray Dandridge could play the "hot corner" with anybody who ever stepped on a baseball diamond.His career is nicely described by the Baseball Library: "Ray Dandridge was a masterful third baseman, a stylist who could make all the plays. He was smooth and relaxed, with soft hands, a strong arm, and the versatility to excel at any infield position. "People would pay their way in to the game just to see him field," claimed Monte Irvin . Roy Campanella said, "I never saw anyone better as a fielder." Hoyt Wilhelm , who played against Dandridge in Cuba and with him in Minneapolis ( American Association ), asserted, "No matter how the ball was hit, he always made the throw so that he just did get the man at first." Others observed that a train could go through Dandridge's bowlegs, but that a baseball never did. Dandridge started his pro career with the 1933 Detroit Stars and moved to the Negro National League's Newark Eagles, for whom he starred throughout the remainder of the 1930s. A spray hitter with good bat control, he seldom struck out, and skillfully executed the hit-and-run. In 1935, he hit .368. Looking for more money in 1939, he opted to play in Latin America . He went to Mexico in 1940, and spent most of the decade t When he came back for a year in Newark in 1944, he batted .370, leading the NNL in hits, runs, and total bases. In 1945 he set a Mexican League record for hitting safely in the most consecutive games and managed his team to a pennant. In nine Mexican League seasons, he compiled a .343 average. Following the 1948 season, he returned to the States as player-manager of the New York Cubans. During his time in the NNL, Dandridge registered a lifetime .355 average, and played in three East-West all-star games, hitting .545. He played winter ball in Mexico , Venezuela , Puerto Rico, and Cuba ; in 11 seasons of Cuban Winter League action, he batted .282. Soon after Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Bill Veeck contacted Dandridge about playing with the Cleveland Indians , but Dandridge refused to leave Mexico without a bonus. Later, in 1949, at age thirty-five, he was signed by the New York Giants and assigned to their Triple-A farm club at Minneapolis . He batted .363 his first year t, and won the league's MVP award in 1950, when he led Minneapolis to the league championship. Despite his achievements, the Giants would not promote him to the parent club. While at Minneapolis , Dandridge provided advice and assistance to a young Willie Mays , who never forgot the help or the man. Returning to Cooperstown for Dandridge's induction into the Hall of Fame (he was elected by the Committee on Baseball Veterans in 1987), Mays stated, "Ray Dandridge helped me tremendously when I came through Minneapolis . Sometimes you just can't overlook those things. Ray was a part of me when I was coming along." (JR) " Signed "Ray Dandridge" on the sweet spot in Black Sharpie on a Wilson Intercollegiate Baseball. Comes from a collection of an old timer who decided it was time to let his signed baseballs go. Would be great for display. Great starter Ball for someone who is interested in this player or signed baseballs and wants to begin their collection. Ask yourself when you last saw a Ray Dandridge Hall Of Fame Single Signed Baseball that is in this condition and at this price and bid accordingly. Any tint is my camera. Should you have any questions, please write at least 24 hours prior to the end of the auction so that I may have the opportunity to reply before you place a bid. Negative feedback is posted for non-payment so please do not bid unless you intend to purchase the item. I give Feedback when I receive it. I am listing other similar items for auction so please view them at your convenience. I try to specialize in Sports Memorabilia, Newspapers from the 1905-1955 period, Golden ... read more

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