This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/4/2020
Whether he was sailing or sinking the ball, shining it or darkening it, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Cicotte had more pitches than a traveling salesman. “Perhaps no pitcher in the world has such a varied assortment of wares in his repertory as Cicotte,” The Sporting News observed in 1918. “He throws with effect practically every kind of ball known to pitching science.” But the most famous pitch Cicotte ever threw was the one that nailed Cincinnati Reds leadoff man Morrie Rath squarely in the back to lead off the 1919 World Series, a pitch that signaled to the gamblers that the fix was on. After confessing to his role in the scandal one year later, Cicotte was banned from the game for life, a punishment that perhaps denied the 209-game-winner a spot in the Hall of Fame. Featured is an exceptional presentation of Cicotte's T205 pasteboard that has been graded NM 7 by PSA. Exceptionally minuscule touches of wear at the upper left and lower left are the only possible reasons the offered card doesn't grade much higher. A clean surface awash in glorious color as well as a perfectly struck reverse that is void of any staining are the highlights of this fragile card.