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1950s Roy Campanella Brooklyn Dodgers Game Worn Hat
"I never want to quit playing ball," said Hall of Famer Roy Campanella. "They'll have to cut this uniform off me to get me out of it." Sadly, the foregoing words proved to be prophetic as in January 1958, Campanella was paralyzed in an automobile accident, and he never had to quit playing baseball; it was forced upon him. Campanella was a native of Philadelphia, and because of baseball's Color Line, Campanella, of African-American and Italian descent, spent many years in the Negro Leagues and in Mexico and other foreign countries playing baseball before the Color Line was broken by Jackie Robinson in 1947. Campanella played from 1948-57 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was an outstanding defensive catcher, a great game caller, with sure hands and a powerful arm. He was also an accomplished batter. The 8-time All-Star was a 3-time National League MVP, in 1951, '53, and '55. He hit .259 homers and batted a career .283. His great season in 1955 helped the Dodgers to the team's only World Series victory as a Brooklyn franchise. In the 1950s, the time period in which this hat saw game use, Brooklyn won the pennant in 1952, '53, '55, and '56. Campanella was a big part of the 1953 Dodgers, known as The Boys of Summer who were immortalized in Roger Kahn's book of the same name. Campanella's Dodgers cap shows heavy use, as it was worn under his catcher's mask. There is a Tim McAuliffe manufacturer's tag on the back hatband. On the left hatband is stamped Pro KM Cap and size 7 1/8". Written in an unknown hand with black ink from a marker underneath the hat bill is 39, Campy's number. The hat brim has a slight crack near the middle. The sweat band exhibits great use, with sweat stains, creasing and some slight fraying. Campanella is one of the best catchers in Major League history, and the post-World War II Brooklyn Dodgers are one of baseball's beloved teams, so this game worn Roy Campanella cap is a prize for any sports collection. Comes with original Lelands LOA from the early 1990s indicating that it was originally a part of the Herb Ross collection.
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