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1930s Ernie Lombardi Cincinnati Reds Game Used Cather's Mitt w/Excellent Documentation
<p>"Next to Ernie (Lombardi), molasses is a blur," said an anonymous teammate about the Hall of Fame catcher who could do everything but run. Offered is a 1930s game worn Ernie Lombardi catcher's mitt, with excellent documentation. Lombardi, a giant for a catcher of his time at 6'3", and 230 lbs., played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues: Brooklyn Robins (1931), Cincinnati Reds (1932-41), Boston Braves (1942), and New York Giants (1943-47). Lombardi could hit for average: .306 lifetime, and his batting average could have been much higher if he weren't so slow and could have beaten out infield rollers for hits. Lombardi had power, with 190 career homers. He was a great defensive backstop who caught both of Johnny Vander Meer's consecutive no-hitters for Cincinnati in 1938. Known as "Schnozz" for his protuberant nose, Lombardi took all the teasing about his lack of speed and his prominent nose in stride. A right-handed batter, Lombardi had to cope with third basemen and shortstops who played him so deep that they were on the outfield grass, knowing they could better grab his hard-hit smashes and still throw Ernie out because of his slow running. "Ernie ran like he was carrying a piano - and its tuner," said another anonymous teammate. O<span style="font-size: 13px;">riginally, the mitt was given by Lombardi to the Reds' doctor, Reed A. Shank, and the catcher's mitt comes with copy of a letter detailing its history. Along with the mitt, the offering <span style="font-size: 13px;">comes with other items from Dr. Shank's estate: A 4x6" photo of Cincinnati Reds' pitcher Red Lucas, inscribed and signed in black fountain pen ink as, "To Chas. Shank/From 'Red' Lucas." The back of the photo shows handwriting in black fountain pen ink from an unknown hand reading, "Playing with the Cincinnati Reds 1930." The offering also has a January 24, 1952, signed (8.5x11") letter from Baseball Commissioner Albert B. "Happy" Chandler (who was the Commissioner in 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the "Color Line") on the Baseball Commissioner's letterhead. The letter playfully chastises Dr. Shank for not accepting the invitation of the Cincinnati Reds' vice president and general manager, Warren Giles, to attend Cincinnati's spring training camp in 1950 and refers to Dr. Shank's resulting "temporary suspension" for not attending the Reds' spring training, and yet the letter "reinstates" Dr. Shank for the 1951 season. Also, included are two letters addressed to Dr. Shank that show the warm regard in which he was held by famous baseball personages, including a signed letter from Warren Giles, the Reds' executive, in which, in a joking tone, Shank is "suspended" for not attending games in the World Series. Also, included in the offering are typed and signed letters to Dr. Shank from Joe E. Brown, actor, and sometime baseball television show host, and for a time a part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The offering also includes two telegrams to Dr. Shank: one from George V. Craig, a former governor of Indiana, and the other telegram from Warren Giles, a humorous message in which Dr. Shank is again "suspended from baseball" for failure to attend the 1953 World Series. The letters and telegrams show foxing and darkening because of the passage of years, yet they remain in very good condition, with creases resulting from being folded into envelopes for mailing. </span>The mitt is approx. 10" high and about 9.5" wide. The glove shows great use. Tagging has come off he mitt with use and age. There is a buckle on the wrist strap in back, and the left part of the leather strap has broken off and is included. The glove's great use includes areas where the leather is scraped and worn, and various areas which show the "skin" of the glove worn away from repeatedly catching baseballs. The glove is a high-quality professional model. The game used mitt is a wonderful memento from one of baseball's greatest catchers. The offering also includes a signed and notarized March 1, 1975, letter detailing the provenance of the mitt from Richard E. Schuermann. In the letter, Schuermann states that the catcher's mitt was given to him by Dr. Reed A. Shank in 1939, and Schuermann goes on to trace the entire provenance of the mitt in detail. Overall, the Ernie Lombardi game used mitt and the included letters and telegrams comprise a fascinating offering.</span></p>
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