Lot # 1186: Hal Smith 1982 Signed Handwritten 10-Page Letter Detailing Career with Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson Content Plus Signed Photo PC

Over several decades, Mr. Oliver Compton of Bridgewater, New Jersey sent letters to multiple Major League players asking them to relate their most thrilling experience in baseball. This is just one of the many offered in this auction. Meticulously collected, the letters average Excellent condition or better.

Hal Smith, pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1930s took the assignment to heart, producing 10-pages chronicling not only his four years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also his ten years in the minor leagues. If little is known of this Smith on Wikipedia, in this letter he details his whole life for Mr. Compton. He mentions players he played with including Stan Coveleski, Goose Goslin, Bucky Harris, Walter Johnson, Sam Rice, Grover “Pete” Alexander, Jim Bottomley, Frank Frisch, Jesse Haines, Pepper Martin, Rabbit Maranville, Paul Derringer “my roomie”, Paul and Lloyd Waner, Fred Lindstrom, Waite Hoyt “Roomie on road,” Pie Traynor, and executives Branch Ricky and Clark Griffith, as well as the teams he played for in the miners, his salaries and his life after baseball.

Hal Smith signed 10-page handwritten letter on 8 ¾ x 11 blank stationery (5-sheets double-sided) dated July 6, 1982. The pitcher writes, “In 1934 or after pitching 4 innings against the San Francisco Seals, I sat in the stands with Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb. They sure interested me - sure I was silent - didn't open my mouth just my ears. I remember one remark Cobb made “He says” that DiMaggio in centerfield from the S.F. Seals will be a great player. The “Mag” was 18 years old then.”

Signed Harold “Hal” Smith (“9-10”) in blue ballpoint.

PLUS: Vintage Hal Smith Photo Postcard signed in blue ballpoint “Best Wishes - Hal Smith - Pittsburgh Pirates – 1932-35” also (“9-10”).

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.