Houston fielded its first big league team in 1962 when the Colt .45s took the field. While this team didn't flourish on the field, it did provide the city of Houston a source of pride. This Official Little League ball was signed by the inaugural Colt .45s team. This features the autograph of Jim Umbricht, who died of cancer two short years later.
There is a layer of top coating which keeps the signatures nearly perfect. Those who signed include: Hal Woodeshick, Joey Amalfitano, Johnny Weekley, Merritt Ranew, Jim Golden, Bob Lillis, Cot Deal, Hal Smith, Bob Aspromonte, Bob Tiefenauer, Al Spangler, Dave Giusti, Don Taussig, Jim Pendleton, Umbricht, Tom Borland, Roman Mejias, Ken Johnson, Bill Giles, Jim Busby, Dean Stone, Jim Campbell and a few more.
The ball may be linked to '62 because it includes Busby, who only was rostered one season in Houston.
b0158
(JSA Auction Letter)