[SPORTS] T. Grubbs, IDed Early Baseball Uniform & More

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Day 2: Early & Historic Americana

By Fleischer's Auctions

Oct 10, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-10-10 09:00:00 2025-10-10 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Day 2: Early & Historic Americana https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/day-2-early-historic-americana-19250
Day one of Fleischer's 2025 Fall Premier auction includes early American artifacts, documents, signatures, ephemera, and weaponry. Rare material relating to African American history is featured, as well as fine examples of antique photography. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com

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• Lot Description

  A collection of early baseball artifacts from Thomas Grubbs (1894-1986), a pitcher for the New York Giants in 1920.

   

  Grubbs was born in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and began playing baseball in high school. At the University of Kentucky, he quickly distinguished himself as an athlete. By his sophomore year in 1913, he was the team’s starting pitcher, also playing right field and batting over .300. That season, he pitched a no-hit, no-run game against Miami University, a highlight of his collegiate career.

   

  Not long afterward, Grubbs received a telegram from John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants, inviting him to join the club in Brooklyn during a series against the then-Brooklyn Robins. Grubbs formally joined the Giants for the 1920 season, appearing in a single game on October 3, 1920, against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Giants lost 4–1.

   

  Although the Giants went on to win the 1921 World Series — of which Grubbs received a small share of the winnings — he had already departed the team after the 1920 season. On his way to training camp in 1921, he was called home by his parents to help care for his sister, who was gravely ill with tuberculosis. Following her passing, Grubbs chose to remain in Kentucky. Having earned a law degree at the University of Kentucky, he entered practice with his father. His legal career spanned six decades, including twenty years of service as county judge of Montgomery County.

   

  Grubbs had already served his country before his brief baseball career. Enlisting in 1917, he rose to the rank of first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War I, serving as a mortar officer. He later recalled nearly losing his life when an artillery shell burst nearby. After a long and varied life, Grubbs passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 91.

   

  This collection includes: 

   

  1. Baseball cap. Beige with navy blue pinstripes, black visor, and brown leather trim. Wool flannel with cotton thread. [Draper-Maynard Company], early-20th century. Diam. of cap approx. 8 1/2 in. 

   

  2. Baseball jersey. Beige with navy blue pinstripes, black collar and trim, and five buttons. Wool flannel with cotton thread. Draper-Maynard Company, early-20th century. Shoulder approx. 22 in. Sleeves 8 x 11 1/2 in. Jersey approx. 29 1/2 in. long. Some staining under arms and on hem. Few homemade patch jobs on front. 

   

  3. Baseball knickers. Beige with navy blue pinstripes, button closure, belt tunnel, and right back pocket. Wool flannel with cotton thread. Draper-Maynard Company, early-20th century. Waist 15 in. flat. Length approx. 29 in. Inseam approx. 19 in. Some staining on front of pants. Few holes along and near hemline. 

   

  4. Catcher's mitt. Round and pillow style. Faded brown leather with leather cord lacing around the glove and between the fore finger and thumb. Belt buckle with adjustable leather strap closure. [Draper-Maynard Company], early-20th century. Mitt approx. 10 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. Glove approx. 7 x 8 in. 

   

  5. Baseball. Condition commensurate with age. Red and blue stitching. Faint traces of the word "Official" with other words underneath, most likely "American League Ball." Approx. 9 in. circumference. Based on the placement of the words, this ball was probably made by Reach in the early-20th century.  

   

  6. Studio bust portrait of Tom Grubbs. [Kentucky], mid-20th century. 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 in., framed to 5 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. 

   

  [Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms] [World War I, WWI, The Great War, First World War] 

  Condition

  Request Condition Report

  Conditions vary. 

• Provenance

  Sarah Grubbs Cotton, Thomas's daughter (letter of provenance). 

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