1956 Pittsburgh Pirates ONL (Giles) Team-Signed Ball (25 Sigs. Incl. Rare Bob Clemente

Here is a terrific quality Official National League (Giles) ball with 25 signatures from the 1956 Pittsburgh Pirates team. Condition-wise it rates a 9, as the bold blue pen signatures have stood up exceptionally well with time; there’s not much keeping this from being a “10”! The Clemente signature is what hardcore collectors will marvel at; the second year rising star signed it simply “Bob Clemente”…that autograph grades out at a 9. Nearly all items that come onto the market have his full signature “Roberto Clemente” on them; this is a very rare find!

The ball itself can be traced to the 1956 season, a Manager Bobby Bragan signed clearly on the sweet spot,  Bob Clemente is signed on west panel of the ball it also has very distinctive autographs of ,  Bill Virdon, Vern Law, Bob Skinner, El Roy Face, Frank Thomas, Bob Friend, Dick Hall, Red Swanson, Lee Walals, Hank Foiles, Jack Shepard, Ron Kline,  Dick Cole, Dale Long, Nellie King,  Curt Roberts, Danny Kravitz, Gene Freese, Luis Arroyo, Jack McMahan, Red Munger, Laurin Pepper, Eddie O’Brien (who played in one game that year). The Pirates didn’t tear up the league that year, yet this ball is one of the best of any team ball from 1956, especially due to the Bob Clemente signature!