Decades later with the baseball world still abuzz over the “Shot Heard ‘round the World,” both parties were compliant in signing these (29) souvenirs. Includes: (24) Signed Baseballs: mildly toned orbs; signatures average (“8”) strength with (12) ONL Coleman balls signed by Branca; (10) ONL White balls signed by Thomson (2 are inscribed “The Shot Heard Round the World Oct. 3, 1951”); and (2) dual-signed balls (ONL Coleman, ONL White); (5) Signed Photos: 20x16 sepia-toned prints (all signatures “10” strength). Individual JSA certs/stickers.
The signed photographs include:
(3) action shots of Thomson actually delivering the historic clout, with a dotted line following the flight of the pennant-clinching home run. Each is signed in blue marker (all signatures show “10” strength) and dated (in Thomson’s hand) “Oct. 3, 1951” (note: while two of these photos have JSA certs/stickers, one has only a JSA sticker).
(2) still photos of a Branca-Thomson reunion (at that year’s World Series at Yankee Stadium). Clad in a suit and overcoat, Branca is jokingly choking Thomson. Each has signed in blue marker (“10” strength on both photos).
Did you know … ???
While Thomson’s pennant-clinching circuit clout is common knowledge, many do not recognize the fact that it ended the third game in a best-of-three series. In the opener at Ebbets Field, the Giants won, 3-1 as Thomson hit a two-run homer to erase a 1-0 deficit and account for the margin of victory. The victim of that homer? Ralph Branca.