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1946 Roy Campanella Handwritten Letter to the Dodgers with Outstanding Baseball Content (PSA)
<p><strong>Historically significant and early Campanella letter penned during his first season of organized baseball with the Nashua Dodgers.</strong> </p><p>Two-page handwritten letter (on each side of a single sheet), dated July 23, 1946, signed by Roy Campanella. While Jackie Robinson garnered most of the headlines in 1946 when he broke baseball's longstanding color barrier by joining the Montreal Royals, it was only shortly thereafter that Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe followed in his footsteps that spring and signed with the Dodgers' Class B affiliate in the New England League. </p><p>In his letter, to Robert Finch, (Branch Rickey's administrative assistant), Campanella reports on how his season is going so far. In part: "Dear Mr. Finch, . . . . It is very nice up here and everyone in this town is pulling for us to make good. I am very sorry you couldn't make the trip with Mr. Rickey to see us play. . . . I am hitting fair, around .285. I have eight home runs, the leader has twelve. I am way up in R.B.I. also stolen bases. . . . Newcombe has won eight lost three. . . . While Mr. Rickey was here, I told him I would like to purchase a home, after the season is over. I will appreciate it a great deal, if you + Mr. Rickey would consider loaning me the down-payment. Expecting an answer in the near future. Respectfully yours, Roy Campanella." <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Both the text and signature have been scripted in blue ink and grade 9/10 overall. </span></p><p>Campanella and Newcombe, both of whom had played professionally in the Negro Leagues, were forced to play with Nashua that year because because no other minor-league circuit would allow African American ballplayers at the time. Campanella enjoyed a banner season in New Hampshire, batting .290 with 96 RBI, numbers that earned him the league MVP Award at seasons end. The following season he was promoted to Montreal and in 1948 he followed Jackie Robinson to Brooklyn, where he became one of the game's top catchers, winning three MVP Awards before a tragic car accident prematurely ended his career in 1957. The letter (7x10.25") displays two horizontal folds, a few light creases, and a staple hole in the upper left corner. A red stamp at the top indicates that it was received by the Brooklyn Dodgers on July 25th. Accompanied by a second-generation photo (7x5"; GD) picturing a team photo of the 1946 Nashua Dodgers, including Campanella and Newcombe. Full LOA from PSA.</p>
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