Lot # 761: 1945 Buddy Lewis, Clark Griffith & William Harridge Signed Uniform Player's Contract

Mark the signing of a key player when you examine this multi-signed 1945 "Buddy" Lewis contract with the Washington Senators. WWII was coming to an end, the boys were coming home and Lewis rejoined the Senators in mid-season in 1945, following three years of flying transport missions as a pilot in the United States Army Air Forces.

A career .297 hitter, Lewis didn't just pick up where he left off in 1941, he topped the Senators in batting in 1945 with a .333 mark in 258 at-bats. Under the title "American League of Professional Baseball Clubs Uniform Player's Contract", this four-page agreement dated July 21st, 1945, called for Lewis to be paid a healthy salary of $12,000 as the team's right fielder.

This vintage contract reports in crisp, clean state, with distinct text throughout. Lewis (d.2011) and Senators owner Clark Griffith (HOF, d.1955) have signed at the bottom of the second page. Sitting American League President William Harridge (HOF, d.1971) has signed on the back page, and all three signatures are firm applications.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.