(LOT 153)
1949 Bowman #224 Satchel Paige Rookie PSA 7 NM
PAIGE BOWMAN ROOKIE!!! This PSA 7 NM 1949 Bowman #224 Satchel Paige inaugural Bowman card resides as one of the most coveted rookie cards extant, with its prestige substantiated by other PSA 7 examples selling in the $15K-$20K range. HOF twirler Satchel Paige was born Leroy Robert Page on July 7, 1906, changing the spelling of his name to "Paige" in the mid 1920s. His friends tagged him with the iconic "Satchel" nickname because of an early job whereby he was paid for each suitcase carried, ingeniously rigging a pole to carry additional suitcases at the Mobile train station. His professional pitching stint spanned four decades, commencing in 1926 with the Chattanooga White Sox and ending some 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 major league's oldest rookie at the age of 42, pitching six seasons with the Indians and St. Louis Browns. He continued to barnstorm and pitch professionally until he was called up by the Kansas City Athletics in 1965 at the age of 59, pitching three scoreless innings in his final MLB appearance. Paige's portrait pose reveals sparkling facial hues and a bold blue and red Indians cap that are well projected via the cool mint-hued setting. Although the image favors the upper edge, the brilliant central pose and relatively clean obverse side surface are the major points, with subtle corner wear preventing a higher grade. One of the hobby's most renowned rookie cards, this pack-fresh PSA 7 marvel represents a pitcher who many historians arguably claim to be the greatest of them all!

MIN BID $4,000
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