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Document 147157

JOE CRONIN
In 1949, the Red Sox send Walt Dropo back to the minors.
Partly Printed Contract signed: "Joseph E. Cronin" as General Manager of the Boston American League Baseball Co. and "V.A. Devincenzi" for the Sacramento Baseball Association, 1p, 8½x11. No place (probably Boston), 1949 May 6. In part: "This Agreement, made and entered into...by and between Boston American League Baseball Company (Party of the First Part) and Sacramento Baseball Association, Inc. (Party of the Second Part) Witnesseth: The party of the first part hereby assigns to the party of the second part the contract of Player Walter Dropo...In consideration of the payment of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars cash. The Boston American League Baseball Company to have the right to repurchase the contract of Player Dropo on or before October 1, 1949, upon twenty-four (24) hours notice to the Sacramento Club, for the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars cash." DROPO, who debuted on April 19, 1949, was assigned to Sacramento's minor league team by this document 17 days later. Based on the option in this contract, the Red Sox repurchased Dropo's contract on September 6, 1949. He played 11 games in 1949 and was resigned by the Red Sox for 1950. In 1950, Dropo was selected to start in the All-Star Game and was voted the American League's Rookie of the Year. He hit 34 home runs, had a .322 batting average, with a league-leading 144 RBI. He played first base for the Boston Red Sox (1949-1952), Detroit Tigers (1952-1954), Chicago White Sox (1955-1958), Cincinnati Reds (1958-1959) and Baltimore Orioles (1959-1961). He never came close to his 1950 achievements. CRONIN, a lifetime .301 hitter and later the President of the American League, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956. In 1967, Walt Dropo got one vote in Hall of Fame balloting. Staple holes at upper left blank corner, receipt stamp at blank portion. Folds, not touching signature. Fine condition.

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