(LOT 1750)
1948 Satchel "Rookie" Image - PSA Type 1 Encapsulated International News Photo Measures Approx. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2"
This mesmerizing 1948 PSA Type 1 ROOKIE photo of the immortal Satchel Paige pictures him in his Indians uniform, right arm outstretched, as he portrays his "4-seam" fastball grip. Measuring approximately 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" and emanating remarkable clarity and contrast, Paige never looked better, and the few stray faint wrinkles/scratches are barely visible to the naked eye. The verso reveals the International News credit stamp (partially covered by an additional Salt Lake News blue caption), and the scattered notations include the following pencil script: "LeRoy Satchel Paige Baseball". Hall of Famer Satchel Paige is the most celebrated Negro Leagues player in their illustrious history, even outdistancing the revered Josh Gibson in popularity. Born Leroy Robert Page on July 7, 1906 (allegedly that is), Page changed the spelling of his name to "Paige" in the mid 1920's. His friends nicknamed him "Satchel" because in an early job whereby he was paid for each carried suitcase, he cleverly rigged a pole to carry additional suitcases at the Mobile train station.

His four-decade professional pitching stint commenced in 1926 with the Chattanooga White Sox of the Negro Southern League and ended 40 years later with the Peninsula Grays of the Carolina League at the age of 60! After finally reaching the majors in 1948 with the Cleveland Indians, he became the oldest MLB rookie ever at the age of 42. After 6 seasons with the Indians and St. Louis Browns, he continued to barnstorm and pitch professionally until he was called up by the Kansas City A's in 1965 at the incredible age of 59, pitching 3 scoreless innings in his final Major League appearance. His uncanny success was attributed to a vast assortment of pitches, tantalizing arm angles, and speeds.

Regarding the latter, Joe DiMaggio was quoted as saying "Paige was the fastest and best pitcher I ever faced", after hitting against him in a 1935 six-game tour that included one of baseball's premier hurlers, Dizzy Dean. Interestingly enough, "Joltin' Joe" would always stick to that initial claim, an extremely bold assessment considering throughout his illustrious career he faced the great fire-balling hurlers Bob Feller and Lefty Grove. For all these reasons, any of Paige's rookie-year keepsakes are highly coveted, substantiating why this iconic 1948 Satchel Paige pitching pose offering stands as one of his most captivating images!

MIN BID $400
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