(LOT 294)
c.1940's Satchel Paige Original Type I Detroit News Photo – Arguably his Finest Image! - Measures Approx. 8-1/8" x 9-7/8" - PSA Type I Encapsulation
This extraordinary PSA Type 1 photo of the immortal Satchel Paige pictures him in his classic Kansas City Monarchs uniform as he delivers one of his virtually unhittable pitches during the 1940s. One of the finest Satchel Paige photos we have ever encountered, the approximate 8-1/8" x 9-7/8" black & white image depicts sensational clarity and contrast with a July 25, 1945 and Detroit News Press stamps affixed to the verso. The seemingly timeless illustration reveals no glaring surface blemishes, and you can literally feel Paige's intensity as he is in the process of baffling another overmatched hitter. As photo enthusiasts are well aware of, a majority of his known images are from his MLB playing days with Cleveland and St. Louis as well as various post-MLB images.

Seldom does a Type 1 pitching image with his iconic K.C. Monarchs team emerge with Paige sporting his famous "number 0", justifying why any serious Negro League or Hall of Fame photo collector should strongly pursue this museum worthy masterpiece. 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!

He pitched for the K.C. Monarchs from 1940-1947, finally reaching the majors in 1948 with the Cleveland Indians when he became the oldest 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. For all these reasons, any of his K.C. Monarch Negro League keepsakes are highly coveted, substantiating why this absolutely remarkable c.1945 Satchel Paige image merits the highest hobby accolades!

MIN BID $750
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