(LOT 405)
1915 Cracker Jack #65 Tris Speaker PSA 8 NM-MT
GREY EAGLE!!! In 1907, Tristram Speaker left Texas to join the Boston Americans and then the Red Sox in 1907. He was a graceful outfielder and a terror at the plate for opposing American League pitchers. Grantland Rice was quoted as saying that Speaker was "one of two models of ball-playing grace. The other was Napoleon Lajoie. Neither ever wasted a motion or gave you any sign of extra effort… They had the same elements … the smoothness of a summer wind." That's saying a lot for a player who, at 21, was involved in 12 double-plays as an outfielder. In fact, over the course of his 22 seasons, his 143 double-plays are an all-time best with 38 more than the next guy, Ty Cobb. But his superiority at the plate undoubtedly kept him in the lineup, posting 18 of his 22 with a .300 batting average or better, retiring with a .345 career mark, 9th all-time. More than 95 years after his final game, Tris Speaker still stands as MLB's doubles champion with 792 two-baggers. Speaker led the Red Sox to three World Series titles (1912, '15 & '20) and won the second MVP award, again following Ty Cobb as the inaugural recipient.

Presented here is one of the Gray Eagle's most desirable vintage cards, a spectacular PSA 8 NM-MT 1915 Cracker Jack subject from one of his championship seasons. Set against a seemingly flawless red background, the details of Speaker's striped uniform and cap are extremely vivid, with his glove jutting out of his back right pocket. Most significantly, no standard glaring caramel corn stains are evident on either side, and the image boasts near-perfect centering between four brilliant white borders! Only four examples have bested this 1915 Cracker Jack Speaker.

MIN BID $5,000
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