BUDDY PRITCHARD 1957 Pittsburgh Pirates SIGNED Photo Postcard Rookie

SUBJECT: Buddy Pritchard

APPROXIMATE SIZE: 3-1/2"x5-1/2"

MARKS / STAMPING: Has standard postcard back but remains postally unused. Hand-signed by Buddy Pritchard and personalized to Mike

SIGNER: Buddy Pritchard

COMMENTS / CONDITION: As with all of my signed items, the signature is guaranteed to pass inspection by any major authenticator, or your money back. See scans for signature quality and photo condition.

BIO: Harold William Pritchard was born in 1936 in South Gate, CA and went to college at the University of Southern California. On February 6, 1957, infielder Buddy Pritchard was signed to a $30,000 Bonus Baby contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of the University of Southern California. He had played for USC in the 1955 College World Series. He would spend 1957 at "Rickey U" where he was used mostly as a late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner while hitting just .091 (1-for-11), with his only base hit a single off Don Newcombe. Buddy commented on his signing as a bonus player in Baseball's Biggest Blunder - The Bonus Rule of 1953-57. "I really didn't want to leave USC at the time. I'd been voted captain of the team, and I wanted to graduate. When the Pirates asked what it would take to sign me, I gave what I thought was a ridiculous figure, and they said all right." Pritchard would later manage in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, guiding the 1968 and 1969 GCL Pirates with a composite 55-59 record. He then became a high school teacher in Fullerton, CA.

SKU: CL02517

Item: CL02517