The 1948 season was a pivotal one for the New York Yankees. With a loaded lineup that many rank among the greatest of all Yankee lineups the team won 94 games. Despite this however the team finished in third place behind Cleveland and Boston. It was a difficult season as the Yankee family suffered its greatest loss with the passing of Babe Ruth in August and while the Yankees battled to the end the season was decided by a one-game playoff between Boston and Cleveland with the Yankees on the outside looking in. The offseason saw the team release manager Bucky Harris and replace him with former Oakland Oaks manager Casey Stengel and the team launched into a dynasty that would see five consecutive World Series titles beginning in 1949.Auction LOA from PSA/DNA. The 1948 season began with great promise and that"s when this baseball was passed around the clubhouse and signatures collected - 17 players in all 18 signatures (second baseman George "Snuffy" Stirnweiss signed the ball twice). While missing a few key members of the team the ball contains signatures from all the remaining key players and coaches from this important Yankee season.Present on the ball are signatures from Tommy Byrne Jerry Coleman Joe Collins (rookie year) Frank Crosetti (player/coach) Chuck Dressen (coach) Joe DiMaggio (HOF sweet spot) Red Embree Randy Gumpert Tommy Henrich Charlie Keller Eddie Lopat Cliff Mapes Phil Rizzuto (HOF) John Schulte (coach) Dick Starr and Snuffy Stirnweiss (2 signatures). All the signatures are in blue ink and most are sharp and clear. The Rizzuto and one of the two Stirnweiss signatures are slightly lighter than the rest and the DiMaggio signature while still clear exhibits some fading. The ball has some toning and wear along with some minor scuffing. An outstanding team-signed ball from the eve of the greatest dynasty in baseball history. 18 signatures total.