Ernie Lomardi hit over .300 ten times despite being one of the slowest runners in the history of the game. A two-time batting champ, Lombardi enjoyed a 17-year career from 1931-1947. In the collection is this letter handwritten by the catcher on his 46th birthday. He writes in part, “Had a little offer from the Oakland Club and Charley Dressing (sic) but it hasn’t matured yet…Say hello to all the game for me also Danny Gardella.”

The previous letter was sent in this envelope postmarked April 7, 1954 from Lombardi’s Oakland area home. Lombardi has written his name — doubling as another autograph — along with his address in the upper left corner. Ernie Lombardi died in 1977 at age 69 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame nine years later.

In addition to his outstanding bat control, Ernie Lombardi was known as one of the slowest runners in the history of baseball. Infielders played as deep as their arms would allow. Lombardi is reported to have joked that it took him three seasons to realize Pee Wee Reese was the Dodgers’ shortstop, not an outfielder. Bill James called Lombardi, “the slowest man ever to play Major League Baseball well.” Here Lombardi signs a small photo in a Cincinnati uniform.