If only he had more control, Bump Hadley might be mentioned among the best pitchers of his era. The righty starter issued 1,442 free passes over 2946 innings in his 16-year career, going 161-165 with a 4.24 ERA. He played an important in the Yankees title run of three World Series in four years from 1936 to '39. Unfortunately for Hadley he may be best remembered during that period for his wild fastball in May of '37 that hit Mickey Cochrane squarely in the forehead, which ended the Hall of Famer's career and almost killed him.

Hadley passed away in 1963 and his single-signed baseballs are virtually extinct. This example with career notations is more than likely the only one of its kind. Signed across the sweet spot, the OAL (Harridge) ball with an amble coating of Shellac is inscribed by Bump on two separate side panels: one calls out his many MLB stops "Wash. 1926-31, 35 - Chicago 1932 - St. Louis 1932-34 - New York 1936-40 - Phil. 1941"; the other fittingly reads "Heads up and Keep Pitching!" The autograph and inscriptions are very neatly done in 7-8/10 blue fountain pen. Full LOA from Becket (A07750). Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.