Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
1940 All-Star Game Baseball
Object numberMO 1941.12.49.1
Name
Baseball
Maker
Spalding
(American, founded 1876)
Date1934-1939
Mediumink on leather, yarn, cork
Dimensionsoverall Diam 3 in (7.6 cm )
DescriptionAn official American League baseball autographed by a number of famous National and American League players from the 1940 All-Star Game. The white ball has red stitching and is stamped on the center panel with blue text that reads: OFFICIAL / American League Ball / William Harridge, Pres. A Reach Trade Mark logo is stamped in blue in the lower panel: THE CUSHIONED CORK CENTER / REG. IN U.S. PAT. OFF. / THE SIGN OF QUALITY / MADE IN U.S.A. / TRADE MARK / REACH / PAT'D RE. 17200.
The faded, original ink signatures on the ball appear to be those of Bucky Walters (Cincinnati Reds), Terry Moore (St. Louis Cardinals), Joe Medwick (Brooklyn Dodgers), Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs), Frankie Hayes (Philadelphia Athletics), and possibly Johnny Mize (St. Louis Cardinals).
Label Text“Baseball has been called the national pastime and rightly so because it stands for the fair play, clean living and good sportsmanship which are our national heritage. That is why it has such a warm place in our hearts.”The faded, original ink signatures on the ball appear to be those of Bucky Walters (Cincinnati Reds), Terry Moore (St. Louis Cardinals), Joe Medwick (Brooklyn Dodgers), Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs), Frankie Hayes (Philadelphia Athletics), and possibly Johnny Mize (St. Louis Cardinals).
-Franklin D. Roosevelt, August 5, 1936.
A true fan of baseball, FDR holds the record for throwing out the most opening day first pitches of all presidents (eight). FDR also threw out the first pitch at two World Series games and the 1937 All-Star Game.
In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack and America’s entry into World War II, Baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis grew concerned about the propriety of proceeding with the 1942 baseball season amid the national emergency. President Roosevelt promptly responded to Judge Landis’ concerns with what has become known as the “Green Light Letter”— giving baseball the green light to proceed and expressing its great value to the nation in time of war.
This baseball is one of two (MO 1941.12.49.1-2) autographed baseballs from the 1940 All-Star Game that were presented to the President Roosevelt as gifts. The 1940 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held on July 9 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri. The National League defeated the American League 4-0.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 20, 1940. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62. Collections
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