Auto Collection: Preacher Roe Fall Classic

Here is another autographed card from my collection. It is a 2003 Fleer Fall Classic "All American Collection" card of Dodger hurler Preacher Roe. It is numbered 287 out of 450.

Roe was a great pitcher for the Dodgers in Brooklyn. In 7 seasons with the team he went 97-37 with a ERA of 3.26. In 1951 he won an incredible 22 games with only 3 losses. 19 of those games were complete games. The pitch that helped him to such a lofty record was the banned spitball. From an old Sports Illustraded article:

"Lot of people have asked me what I used to throw," Roe said, his eyes still on the Dodgers, who were taking batting practice. He turned with a self-conscious movement, as though he were taking off his shirt in public. "I like to tell 'em it was my sinker. Well, you know, the ball did drop real pretty, but it was more than a little ol' sinker. I guess it won't hurt anybody to tell the truth now. I threw spitballs the whole time I was with the Dodgers. Seven years in all."

Read more here: "The Outlawed Spitball Was My Money Pitch"