Really need a baseball mans opinion here! Clemente auto?

**theboxbreaker96** · 11-16-2012, 09:20 PM

So my grandpap used to be a guidence counsler at my high school. My dad was a big Pirate fan at the time late 60s. My grandpap knew an usher who worked at the pirate games. He had the usher get 2 baseballs signed. One is by willie stargell personalized to my dad. The 2nd is very interesting. I was tring to figure out who the signetures were there are at least 10. I figured out a few Mazeroski, Gene Alley, Maury Willis, and manager Harry Walker. I come across one that looks like Clemente. I researched his auto and it looks very similar. I ask my dad if he Clemente did sign it and he said yes. I still have not made out the rest of the signatures. Maury Willis only played with the pirates for 2 years 67 & 68 so I have that narrowed down. Im not 100% sure its his auto but my dad says he did sign it and my family doesnt collect anything (until I started) so I know they would not fake it or have it faked so the only question is is it his auto. I dont have any pictures to show you guys as my camera is broke and I cant scan a baseball lol.

Here is my question what should I do with the ball? Should I get it authenticated? If so by who or should I leave alone? I collect HOCKEY so Im not sure about this.

Please let me know what you guys think I should do. Thanks!

**BSEBALLCOMMISH75** · 11-17-2012, 12:36 AM

Greetings:
TBB96 first off are you from the Pittsburgh area if so your in luck usually they have a huge show there in the area when they have had past Pirates players or Steelers some Pens etc..... they might have a booth there of one of the places to get it authencatied if not then you might want to save up and attend the National next summer thats in Chicago July 31-Aug 5th 2013. There you can check to see if its real or not since you dont have pics of the ball I cant help you but give ya this information usually I been known to help out on things like this. If you cant do either show and like to know what steps ya can do let me know via PM and Ill tell you what ya can do from there hope this helps you out.

**the 'stache** · 11-17-2012, 01:18 AM

If the signature is actually Clemente's, it could go for some serious cash. So, I would definitely pursue this further.

This is something I have a lot of interest in, but I haven't seen anything resembling a consensus on SCF as to who to trust. I would advise against PSA/JSA. I've seen too many examples where the autographs they've authenticated were flat out wrong. I don't trust their opinions.

Here's a company I found. I don't know how reliable they are, but you can get an idea on what kinds of examinations would be involved, and the prices.

http://www.globalauthentics.com/auth...cation_how.asp

Let us know what you do. I'm a huge Clemente fan, so I hope it's his signature. Good luck!!!!!

**the 'stache** · 11-17-2012, 01:27 AM

You might also consider a forensic handwriting expert.

**theboxbreaker96** · 11-17-2012, 09:36 AM

Thanks guys for the info Ill try and get a picture of the ball with my other camera but it takes some bad pictures. Hopefully you will be able to see the signatures with the camera!

**theboxbreaker96** · 11-17-2012, 11:21 AM

So here are some pictures of the autographs My dad had the ball in a box the whole time so all signatures are in really nice shape!

Ball with Box with clemente on bottom. Go to my photobucket to see some more pictures http://s876.photobucket.com/albums/ab326/jiam96/

Close up of clemente auto

Few more signatures Clemente on bottom

Mazeroski

Maury Willis

Unknown Signatures

Unknown Signature

**Redman5006** · 11-17-2012, 12:01 PM

Wow, in my VERY unprofessional opinion and to my untrained eye, it looks legit. Looks like last name only. Best of luck with the ball, looks to be a real treasure.

**the 'stache** · 11-18-2012, 02:53 AM

As with Redman5006, my opinion is of course an unprofessional one, but based on the Clemente signatures I've seen on balls, and flat medium, I think there's a really good chance that's the real thing.

There are going to be Pirates fans that would kill for a ball like that.

And I have no idea who that unknown signature is. I've spent at least half an hour looking at the complete rosters from those two seasons, as well as the coaching staffs.

The first letter of the first name is a J or a G. And it looks like the last name ends in a ch or a ck.

**GUCD231** · 11-18-2012, 04:49 PM

The signature above Clemente looks to be Roberto.I am guessing he had to sign that way as he was out of room.

**NY Sports Teams** · 11-18-2012, 05:10 PM

Possibly the unknown signature is Jim Shellenback

The second signature on the ball with five signatures is Dennis Ribant

Possibly you can find a couple of others from baseball-almanac.com. You can click on the player and many times it will give you a card with his signature. I hope it helps.

The 1967 team: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1967&t=PIT
The 1968 team: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1968&t=PIT

...Rick