Lot # 1001: 1971 Baltimore Orioles (4) 20-Game Winners Multi-Signed Baseball

Deal yourself a winning hand of four aces, by claiming this 1971 Baltimore Orioles 20-game winners multi-signed baseball. A genuine baseball genius, Earl Weaver had the good sense to accept a coaching job with the Orioles in 1967. Dave McNally was already in place when Weaver took over as manager of the Orioles in 1968, after Hank Bauer retired midway through the season. Hall of Famer Jim Palmer returned from injury in 1969, and Mike Cuellar was added to the rotation that same season. Winning had become a habit by the time Pat Dobson joined the squad in 1971, a season that turned out to be one for the ages, as all four of the O's starters won 20 games that year. To date, the 1971 Orioles and the 1920 Chicago White Sox are the only two teams ever to suit up four 20-game winners in the same season

All (4) of the 1971 Orioles starting pitchers have signed the offered snow white OAL/Budig baseball, and each of these 20-game winners has included an inscription of his season record. The blue ballpoint pen signatures average ("9") potency, with: Jim Palmer with "20-9" on the sweet spot, Mike Cuellar with "20-9" and Dave McNally with "21-5" on the north panel, and Pat Dobson with "20-8" on the east panel. The defending World Series champion Orioles earned their third straight trip to the Fall Classic, by sweeping the Oakland Athletics in the 1971 ALCS. There's no denying Weaver had a fine mind for the game, however being blessed with a pitching staff such as this, made him a whole lot smarter.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.