Multiple members of the 2016 Chicago Cubs championship team including David Ross, Ben Zobrist, and others.
World Series Champions and MLB All-Stars · Baseball - MLB
Chicago Cubs
Era
2016 Championship Era
Item Type
Team-signed Baseball
Condition
Very Good; the ball appears white with minimal toning, though ink bleeding is visible on several signatures due to the surface material.
Rarity
Common for the era; team-signed Cubs memorabilia from 2016 was produced in high volumes during and after the World Series.
Overall Assessment
A classic piece of modern baseball history; while not a 'sweet spot' single-signed rarity, it captures the core of a historic roster once authenticated.
Authenticity Assessment
Uncertain - requires professional authentication. Confidence Level: Moderate.
Signature Style
Multiple hurried 'clubhouse' style signatures clustered across the panel; features stylized scribbles typical of post-game signings.
Signature Characteristics
Fast, looped letterforms; David Ross (bottom left) shows his characteristic 'D' with a nested 'R'; Ben Zobrist (top center) shows his vertical 'B' and 'Z' overlap.
Ink & Medium
Black felt-tip marker (Sharpie) on a synthetic or leather-covered baseball.
Item Description
A souvenir or official baseball featuring several signatures from the 2016 Chicago Cubs roster, including primary identification of David Ross and Ben Zobrist.
Estimated Value
$250 - $600 (highly dependent on whether it is a full team ball and certification).
Comparison to Known Examples
Signatures align with mid-2010s variants of these players, showing expected speed and flow for a group-signed item.
Authentication Tips
Verify the presence of 'The big three' (Bryant, Rizzo, Baez) which usually anchors value. Check for Clubhouse/stamped vs. hand-signed ink patterns.
Certification Recommendation
JSA (James Spence Authentication) or Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).
Red Flags
The clustering and ink absorption suggest this may be a souvenir 'stamped' ball or a ball signed in a hurried environment; professional vetting is needed to rule out pre-printed facsimiles.
Provenance Notes
Should include details on where the ball was obtained (e.g., Spring Training, Wrigley Field, or a private signing).
Historical Context
The 2016 Cubs ended a 108-year championship drought, making team-signed items from this specific roster highly sentimental.
Market Trends
Stable; 2016 Cubs items remain the gold standard for modern baseball collecting due to the historic championship drought ending.
Investment Potential
Moderate; while widely available, the historical significance of the 2016 team ensures a permanent floor for market value.
Similar Autographs
Individual signed 2016 World Series baseballs by Kris Bryant or Anthony Rizzo.
Display & Preservation
Keep in a UV-protected glass cube; avoid direct sunlight which will cause markers to fade and bleed on white leather.
Interesting Facts
David Ross was the veteran leader of this team and his autograph became significantly more valuable following the 'Grandpa Rossy' storyline of 2016.