Lot # 994: 1969 Baltimore Orioles Team-Signed George Sosnak Hand-Painted Folk Art Baseball with Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson & Earl Weaver

Celebrate the 1969 American League champions, with this 1969 Baltimore Orioles team-signed folk art baseball, hand-painted by George Sosnak. It was the first year of divisional play, and manager Earl Weaver was already starting to look like a genius, with a 109-win season. Of course, it's hard not to look smart when you've got lights out pitching, and sluggers Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson and "Boog" Powell on hand.

Artist Sosnak has delivered the goods, with captivating artwork covering half of this OAL/Cronin baseball. One panel features slugger Frank Robinson launching a bomb, next to a stats balloon. The other painted panel is stacked with the Orioles logo, a Professional Baseball 100th Anniversary logo, a Memorial Stadium pennant, and a 1969 Orioles ball with Weaver named as manager.

The other half of the ball is covered with (19) Orioles period signatures. (9) signatures are bold applications averaging ("8" to "9") potency, with: Frank Robinson (HOF), Al Severinsen, Mark Belanger, George Bamberger (coach), "Boog" Powell (swell fellow), Clay Dalrymple, Billy Hunter (coach), George Staller (coach), and Frank Bertaina. The other (10) signatures are somewhat muted, averaging ("6" to "7"), with: Earl Weaver (manager, HOF), Elrod Hendricks, Dave May, Jim Hardin, Dave McNally, Marcelino Lopez, Curt Motton, "Chico" Salmon, Brooks Robinson (HOF), and Bob Floyd.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.