The 1929 World Series featured the AL champion Philadelphia Athletics against the NL Champion Chicago Cubs, with the Athletics winning the championship in five games.  The Series opened with a classic managerial move on the part of Hall of Fame skipper Connie Mack, resulting in one of the legendary stories of the game.

The Athletics were led by a four man pitching staff that included George Earnshaw (24-8), Lefty Grove (20-6), Jack Quinn (11-9) and Rube Walberg (18-11).  Heading into the Series, Cubs manager Joe McCarthy would surely have his team prepared to face one of Mack's aces, but the A's manager elected to surprise Chicago by opening the Series with 35-year-old Howard Ehmke, who posted a 7-2 record in just 11 games with the Athletics.  Ehmke was not even with the team the last few weeks of the season, having been sent ahead by Mack to scout the Cubs in anticipation of the Series.  Mack believed that Ehmke's sidearm delivery would catch Chicago unprepared, and despite Ehmke being considered "over the hill," Mack was correct.  Ehmke pitched masterfully, setting the record for most strikeouts in a World Series game with 13 (a record that would stand until Carl Erskine broke it in 1953), scattering 8 hits and a walk in a complete game, 3-1 victory.  Ehmke's heroics helped Mack's Athletics capture the momentum with Game 1, and they would keep it for the rest of the Series.

Presented here is a single-signed and heavily notated game-used ball from that game, signed and personalized by Ehmke himself on the sweet spot, the ball gifted to a friend (whose name is illegible but whose surname appears to be McGeever).  The game score and date is notated on the south panel.  The ONL (Heydler) ball remains in outstanding condition, with significant signs of game use.  A significant game ball from one of the most storied of all World Series games. LOA from James Spence Authentication.