Ernest Natali Lombardi enjoyed a decorated MLB career that spanned 17 seasons (1931-47) with four teams. The son of hard-working Italian immigrants, he grew up in Oakland, CA, and attended McClymonds High School where future legends Frank Robinson and Bill Russell would also matriculate. The hard-nosed catcher had many nicknames including “Lom”, “Lumbago” and the “Cyrano with the Iron Mask” – Bill James called him "the slowest man to ever play Major League Baseball well” – and his many accomplishments earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ernie began his pro career in the Pacific Coast League with his hometown Oakland Oaks in 1926 at the age of 18. With Lombardi behind the dish, the Oaks won their second ever PCL title. From 1928 to ‘30 he batted .377, .366 and .370 in consecutive seasons before the National League’s Brooklyn Robins snatched him up in 1931. An 8-time All-Star, he won two batting titles, the NL MVP in 1938 and a World Series title with the Cincinnati Reds in 1940. It was with the Reds that he played the longest (1932-41), but his final stint with the New York Giants (1943-47) was very productive for a backstop in his late 30s.

Offered here is Ernie Lombardi's Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame plaque that was made to honor his induction in 1982. Lombardi passed away in 1977 and was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1986. Considering the caliber of names in the Bay Area HOF (Tom Brady. John Madden, Al Davis, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Bill Russell, Stephen Curry, etc.), this was easily Ernie's most prestigious award given posthumously. Recently retired USWNT legend Alex Morgan (who starred at Cal-Berkley in college) highlights the most recent 2025 inductee class along with Dr. Harry Edwards.

The plaque has a metallic bust of Ernie Lombardi's face with a placard below inscribed with a lengthy bio highlighting his awards and accolades. The wooden base measures 15" by 20" with .75" depth. The bust itself has a diameter of 8" and protrudes a full inch. Overall, it shows a good amount of wear from age and storage. Our consignor, who has a large PCL collection ans is based in the Bay Area, acquired this piece at auction many years ago.