LUIS APARICIO - NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPH SIGNED - HFSID 83747

LUIS APARICIO
Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio signs this newspaper photo showing him holding a birthday cake as shortstop for the Boston Red Sox. The photo (2½x2) is attached to an unsigned enveloped, postmarked in 1973, the year he retired.
Newspaper photograph signed: "Luis Aparicio", in blue ink. Sepia, 2½x2, attached to unsigned envelope, postmarked 30 May 1973, addressed to Paul. J. Friscat, Canton, Ohio (2 surfaces). Hall of Fame baseball pro Luis Aparicio (b.1934) is one of the most decorated shortstops in Major League Baseball history. Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1954, the Venezuelan shortstop won Rookie of the Year in 1956, becoming the first Latin American to win the award. That same year he won his first of 9 stolen base championships (which he won consecutively from 1956 through 1964). His next big season came in 1958 when he was first elected to the All-Star games which he appeared in 13 times in his career. Also in 1958 he won his first of 9 Gold Glove Awards. Traded to the Orioles in 1963, Aparicio achieved the greatest feat of his career with winning the 1966 World Series. When he retired with the Red Sox in 1973, he was a .262 batter with 791 RBIs and 83 home runs. He also racked up 2,677 hits and 506 stolen bases. In 1984 he became the first Venezuelan to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The White Sox honored his induction by retiring his jersey number 11. Beginning in 2006, two bronze statues commemorate him and second basemen Nellie Fox at the U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Attached to 6½x3½ envelope (2 surfaces). Lightly Creased and toned. Otherwise, fine condition.