1975 KC Royals Signed Ball

flcardtrader

In the late 80's, I worked at an apartment complex as the clean-up guy. One day I was asked to clean out an apartment which the people had left at the end of the lease. The apartment was pretty much a mess of trash strewn about the place except a nugget I found in the closet - a signed baseball.

I picked it up and began naming signatures I saw = Brett, Killebrew, McRae, McKeon, Mayberry, Leonard.....

Brett and Killebrew together?

Immediately, I flashed back to the 75 set and reminded myself that Killebrew did finish up with the Royals.

The ball itself is in pretty bad condition. Couple of scuffs and portions where something may have bitten into the ball but the signatures are still pretty readable in many cases. I can make out the following:

Killebrew on 1 side of the Sweet Spot


McKeon on the other


Cookie Rojas
Amos Otis
George Brett
Doug Bird
Tony Solita


Frank White
Buck Martinez
Dennis Leonard
<unknown>
Bob Stinson
<unknown>
Steve Busby


Vada Pinson
Galen Cisco
<unknown>
Jim Wholford
Paul Splitorff
<unknown>


Nelson Briles
<unknown>
Bruce Dal Canton
Lindy McDaniel
John Mayberry
<unknown>
Hal McRae


I am seeking opinions on this ball.

How should I store it to prevent it from fading or discoloring further?
Should I get it authenticated?
What would something like this be worth?

Thanks for your input.

MikeyP

I would definitely have it both authenticated and encapsulated.

flcardtrader

Would encapsulating the ball prevent the dark spots, fading, or discoloration from occurring further?

MooseDog

Beautiful early George Brett sig there. Here are a couple of your unknowns:

Steve Boros under Dennis Leonard

Harry Dunlop under Bob Stinson

Jamie Quirk under Splittorff (I think, can't see it too well but it looks like Quirk's big J, big Q.

Under Briles maybe Steve Mingori, can't really make it out but it has the distinctive Mingori backwards slant.

Ironmanfan

the value doesn't support an authentication fee IMO; unfortunately there is little you can do to prevent further discoloring, etc. other than just keep it out of direct sunlight.

in auction, I'd venture a high bid in the range of $100 (give or take).

nice ball however

IMF