HISTORIC, SUPER RARE Autographs of ALL 4 of the 1971 20-GAME WINNERS, BALTIMORE ORIOLES, Starting Pitchers... (HOF, JIM PALMER (20-9), Dave McNally (21-5), Pat Dobson (20-8), & Mike Cuellar, (20-9)) on a vintage black & white 8x10 photo.
Currently, the 1971 Orioles are one of only two Major League Baseball clubs (the 1920 Chicago White Sox being the other) to have four 20-game winners in a season: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson.
JSA LOA was secured on January 5, 2024. Certification Number: YY65769. THE JSA TAMPER PROOF AUTHENTICATION SEAL was affixed to this particular pictured photo, bottom right corner, independently by the JSA Authenticator, with the same Certification Number, YY65769, as is printed on the JSA Letter of Authenticity as well.
(Please see the provided photos). The pictured photo IS THE ACTUAL PHOTO TO BE RECEIVED upon purchase. I only have one such photo in existence.
All four autographs are in blue sharpie, clear, bold, and clean. The blue sharpie against the black and white background creates an attractive, elegant contrast.
On September 26, 1971, Baltimore Orioles pitcher HOF Jim Palmer wins his 20th game of the year, becoming the fourth Orioles pitcher to win 20 games in the 1971 season. This made the 1971 Orioles pitching staff the first since that of the 1920 Chicago White Sox to field four 20-game winners, and such feat has never been replicated since.
It is a record feat that has stood for, now, 53 years. No team has come close to duplicating it since. Nor will any team likely do so.
Only one of the four starting pitchers, HOF Jim Palmer, remains alive today. The other three, Dave McNally(d. 12/2002), Pat Dobson(d. 11/2006) and Mike Cuellar(d. 4/2010) are deceased.
Jim Palmer was inducted into the MLB HOF in 1990.
I purchased the blank, black and white 8x10 photo and pursued the autographs myself over a few years via spring training.
This item has been maintained in an A/C residential closet or A/C storage facility since the 4 autographs were finally secured, completed in the late 70s. Thus, the item is pristine and has not been exposed to light in 40 plus years. This is quite a collectible item. It's a great investment piece.