Images(8)

Baseball

Object number2014.131.1

Date1909

MediumRubber/Leather/Thread/Ink

Credit LineGift of Jim Thompson

DescriptionLeather baseball that is discolored to a brown/gray with red stitching. Black text printed on ball provides event information including the menu.Dimensions2.875 in. (7.3 cm)
InscriptionsBlack text at front center "In honor of / Barney Dreyfuss" with "President / of the / World's / Champions" to the right and "Westmoreland / Country Club / October 27 / 1909" to the left.

Additional text beginning below front center and running around the body of the ball is largely illegible: "[illegible] YOU [illegible]RS!!! / Menu / "CLARK" [illegible]NOPE / BLUE POINT [illegible]NERS / A LA "[illegible]NE" / TIGER[?] SOUP / [illegible]N[illegible] / "[illegible]CK / UTILITY [illegible] / [illegible] / [illegible] / [illegible] SPROUTS / "ABBY" SWEETBREADS / [illegible] / "JERRY" ASPARAGUS / "CAMMY" CREAM AND CAKE / OLD SAM CHEESE / CRACKER "JACK" / "DE[illegible]" COFFEE / "TOMY'S" HOMERS / "BIG BILL" CIGARS".
Historical NotesBaseball from a banquet held in honor of Bernhard "Barney" Dreyfuss (b. 1865, d. 1932), Executive of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 to his death in 1932. He is often credited with the creation of the modern baseball World Series. He also built one of baseball's first modern steel and concrete baseball parks, Forbes Field, in 1909. During his period of ownership, the Pirates won six National League pennants and World Series titles in 1909 and 1925.

Related person Bernhard Dreyfuss

Related institution Pittsburgh Pirates (founded 1887)

Related institution Westmoreland Country Club

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