Lot # 804: 1965 Washington Senators Team-Sheet Signed by (29) with Gil Hodges & Frank Howard, Plus Period Ephemera

A slowly improving expansion team is collected, with this 1965 Washington Senators team-signed sheet. Under manager Gil Hodges, the second Senators franchise was rising from annual dead-last finishes, climbing to eighth place in 1965, in an expanded ten-team American League. This vintage period sheet is a crisp host to (29) total signatures, including manager Gil Hodges, and star slugger Frank Howard. These distinct signatures are nearly uniform in quality, as neat blue ballpoint pen applications.

Featured signers are: "Buster" Narum, Ron Kline, Bob Chance, Bennie Daniels, George Susce (coach), Don Zimmer, Steve Ridzik, Ed Yost (coach), Don Blasingame, Ryne Duren, Frank Howard, Howie Koplitz, Ken McMullen, Mike Brumley, Marshall Bridges, Joe Pignatano (coach), Joe Cunningham, Woodie Held, Jim King, Phil Ortega, Frank Kreutzer, Doug Camilli, Ed Brinkman, Willie Kirkland, Gil Hodges (HOF, manager, d.1972), Don Lock, Mike McCormick, "Rube" Walker (coach), Pete Richert.

Also present are: an inter-office memo addressed to director of player development and scouting Hal Keller, signed with the initials "MD", stating receipt of two items from Gil Hodges; and a 6/10/65 typed letter addressed to Hodges, signed by a Dallas, Texas youth, requesting information in regards to a tryout with the Senators for himself, and his older brother.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.