(LOT 69)
1949 Bowman #224 Satchel Paige Rookie PSA 7 NM
ROOKIE PAIGE!!!... Based on the limited records from the Negro Leagues and Majors, Satchel Paige posted 121-81 record on the mound over 21 years. However, Paige himself documented his own exploits on the mound from the aforementioned leagues as well as semi-pro leagues and his barnstorming tours across the Americas and the Caribbean. Paige's personal archive reported that he pitched more than 2,500 games over the course of 41 years winning more than 2,000 including 50+ no-hitters. And though Satchel's numbers are unofficial, they are not necessarily far-fetched as pitching 2,500 games in 41 years equates to approximately 60 starts per year. His fastball was spectacular and honed to keep batters off balance with the simple thought of finding the batter's weakness and placing the ball where he can't hit it. It's still sad to think of how much baseball fans missed due to segregation as Satchel did not make his rookie debut in the Major Leagues until 1948 at the age of 42, the oldest rookie in MLB history. He went 6-1 that year for the Cleveland Indians to help lead the Tribe to the American League pennant.

Graded 7 NM by PSA, this 1949 Bowman #224 "Satchell" Paige stands as the rookie card of the lanky right-handed Indian from that 1948 season. This beautiful portrait image of Paige bears superior contrast and resolution, set against a soothing cool green background. Near-perfect centering, four super clean off-white borders, and sharp corners produce an outstanding frame of this Rookie gem with both surfaces having eluded any glaring blemishes. One of the key cards from the 1949 Bowman issue, this Satchel Paige card retains many of its pack-fresh qualities with clean surfaces and sharp borders, as well as superb registration and crystal clear imagery and text.

MIN BID $5,000
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