Few players in the history of Major League Baseball poses as unique of a legacy as one George Edward Waddell. Waddell was the son of a farmer from Punxsutawney, PA (appropriately to the groundhog relation). His baseball talents were not to be debated. Waddell dominated batters during the early part of the century including six consecutive seasons in which he led the American League in strikeouts. In 1905, perhaps his best season, Rube achieved a rare feat winning the American League pitching Triple Crown with 27 wins, 287 strikeouts and a 1.48 ERA. However, it was Waddell's unique brand of "celebrity" that made him one of the most intriguing figures in the history of the game. Rube's on and off field antics were nothing short of erratically spectacular. Waddell would do cartwheels on the mound when he won a game. He was also fascinated with fires. When Waddell would hear the fire bell ring he would have to be restrained from leaving the field. His attention span was such that opponents would hold up puppies or shiny toys to distract him. While Waddell's escapades were of comedic intrigue he also possessed a much darker side to his personality as well. Rube was a hard drinker and suffered from alcoholism that would greatly diminish his athletic abilities and after contracting tuberculosis he passed away at the age of 37. Due to the combination of Waddell's eccentricities, dating period in which he played, and tragic passing at such a young age Waddell's autograph has long been cemented as the holy grail for collectors. An extremely small number of autographed documents and photographs have turned up over many decades with an almost unbelievable infrequency. Presented is a single signed baseball from Rube Waddell which possesses deep-seated roots within the collecting hobby. Official American League baseball with clear coating of shellac and moderate toning retains a good portion of its Reach American League stamping. Notably visible are the "Warranted" and "1908" stampings on side panel consistent with other documented American League baseballs of the same period. Beginning on a side panel and continuing across the sweet spot Waddell has signed in black fountain pen, "Compliments of G.E. Waddell (Rube)". The signature area includes a small portion of the leather surface which did not get clear coating applied later and thus partially effects the strength of that portion. Overall rating of the autograph is 7 out of 10. Inscription continues across the sweet spot, "To Mrs. N. Pearl July 2, 1908 The Game I Got Mine in Chic-5 St. Louis-1". Reference to period box scores confirm that Waddell did in fact pitch against Chicago on July 2nd in the first game of a double header losing by the score of 5 to 1. Waddell's decisive loss is likely the reference to "Got Mine in" inscription. The baseball was originally part of a consignment to October 1, 1994 Christie's East live auction. The other baseball consigned was a Hughie Jennings single signed baseball inscribed and dated to his girlfriend Nellie Pearl, "Compliments of Hughie Jennings, Detroit B.B. Club-Detroit 10, Chicago 5, June 28, 1908-May we be the same to each other as we are at this time-H.J. & N.P.". Both the Jennings baseball date and Waddell baseball date each were for games played in Chicago to which Pearl likely witnessed same. The corroboration of the Waddell baseball by the Nellie Pearl relation to the Jennings baseball is of great significance to bolster the challenging authentication task offered by Rube Waddell's scarce autograph. The ball was authenticated by JSA and will include a full LOA. PSA/DNA reviewed the baseball and was not able to issue a letter given its extraordinary scarcity and lack of documented exemplars but was not rejected for authentication. Without question, a unique opportunity which will undoubtedly elevate one lucky recipient's collection to an currently unmatched level of completion. Includes full LOA from JSA and photo quality copies of the 1994 Christie's catalogue offering picturing both Waddell and Jennings baseballs. : Ball: GD-VG, Signature: Range EX-NM