Negro Leaguer Hilton Smith pitched in the shadow of his longtime teammate Satchel Paige—but some say it should've been the other way around. Bob Feller thought the quiet, unassuming Smith was more talented than the flamboyant Paige. Buck O'Neil said Johnny Mize, Stan Musial and the like believed Smith had as wicked a curveball as they'd ever seen. Among Hall of Famers, Smith's autograph is scarce because his 1983 death came almost two decades before his 2001 induction. This 3x5 card carries a blue-ink "8-9" signature and detailed inscription,
"Hilton Smith Pitcher
Kansas City Monarch
I played 21 yrs 1 yrs with
Austin Texas 1 yrs with
New Orleans LA 1 yrs with
Monroe LA 2 yrs with
Bismarck ND 15 yrs with
Kansas City Monarch."
NM condition overall. Full LOA from JSA.