Enos Slaughter
National Baseball Hall of Fame Right Fielder · Baseball - MLB
St. Louis Cardinals
Era
Retirement era (Late 20th Century)
Item Type
St. Louis Cardinals Ticket Stub / Rain Check
Condition
Good to Very Good; some minor creasing on the ticket and slight fading to the pen, but the signature remains legible and well-formed.
Rarity
Common; Slaughter was a prolific signer at card shows and through the mail until his passing in 2002.
Overall Assessment
A classic authentic example of a Hall of Fame autograph on a relevant team item, perfect for a Cardinals fan or a budget-conscious HOF collector.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic; signature shows the fluid, high-speed cursive characteristic of Slaughter's genuine hand at shows.
Signature Style
Full name cursive with distinctive 'E' and 'S' looping, typical for his later-in-life signatures on memorabilia.
Signature Characteristics
Fast execution, distinct looping on the initial 'E', the 'S' starts high and descends into a sharp baseline, ending with a long trailing stroke.
Ink & Medium
Blue ballpoint pen on paper ticket stock.
Item Description
Back of a St. Louis National BB Club (Cardinals) tickets/rain check from the mid-20th century, notably signed in the open space on the reverse.
Estimated Value
$30 - $60 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Identical to thousands of verified show-signed examples from the 1980s and 90s.
Authentication Tips
Look for the sharp, angular 'S' in Slaughter and the consistent 'lower-case' flow of the rest of the name. Watch for ink drag common in his later years.
Certification Recommendation
JSA (James Spence Authentication) or PSA/DNA; given the value, JSA Basic Cert is ideal.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; ink absorption and stroke speed indicate a genuine hand-signed item.
Provenance Notes
Likely acquired at a sports memorabilia convention or through a private collection from the St. Louis area.
Historical Context
Enos 'Country' Slaughter is most famous for the 'Mad Dash' in the 1946 World Series; he was a 10-time All-Star and 4-time World Series champion.
Market Trends
Stable; Slaughter is a staple Hall of Fame autograph for sets, though high supply keeps the price affordable for collectors.
Investment Potential
Low; this is a 'collector grade' item rather than a high-growth investment piece due to its commonality.
Similar Autographs
Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, Lou Brock (other St. Louis Cardinals legends).
Display & Preservation
Store in an acid-free semi-rigid holder (toploader) and keep away from direct sunlight to prevent the blue ballpoint ink from fading.
Interesting Facts
Slaughter was known for his relentless hustle and was the subject of one of the most famous photographs in baseball history during his 1946 dash home.