(LOT 394)
1914 Cracker Jack #61 Ray Schalk PSA 4 VG-EX
BEST CATCHER!!! In the early 1910s, Ray Schalk of the Chicago White Sox redefined how a Major League catcher looked or played. Prior to his debut in 1912, catchers were often big, burly and lumbering, whereas Schalk stood 5'9" tall and 165 lbs. and was nimble and fast. His agility behind the plate made him like a fifth infielder and he was one of the first catchers to regularly backup throws to first. Schalk backstopped the White Sox for 17 seasons before joining the Giants in 1929 for a final campaign. He led the league in putouts multiple times, and he retired with a career .253 batting average, 593 RBIs and a 1917 World Series title. Offered is a 1914 Cracker Jack of "Cracker" himself graded 4 VG-EX by PSA. With only 44 examples ever graded by PSA of the Hall of Fame catcher, this mid-grade example has only six superiors. An attractive, well-framed image of Schalk against a crimson red background, and four sharp edges and corners. The back displays minute amounts of caramel staining.

MIN BID $1,000
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