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Pee Wee Reese was just 21 years old when he played in his first All Star Game in 1942. At season’s end he enlisted into the Navy for the war effort. He spent the next three years in the Pacific Theater with the Seabees, the Navy’s Construction Battalion.

When he returned, Reese picked up right where he left off. In fact, Reese then reeled off nine consecutive All Star appearances.

In his final All Star season of 1954, Reese topped the .300 mark for the first time.

In the collection is this letter to the Brooklyn shortstop from NL President Warren Giles. Typed on National League letterhead, it is dated July 16, 1954, just three days after the Mid Summer Classic.

The letter reads in part, “It was a great show for the fans who were present and the millions who saw it on T.V. and the only thing to regret is that we lost. Possibly this is a good omen for a World Series victory for our league in the Fall.”

Reese’s Dodgers won 92 that year finishing second to Leo Durocher‘s Giants. The Lip’s Giants made good on Giles’ prognostication, sweeping the Indians in the Fall Classic.

Giles adds a handwritten postscript to the Dodger captain, “Sorry you weren’t up to par physically.”

Though Giles signed many documents in his position of league president, correspondence between two Hall of Famers remains highly desirable.

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In the collection is this handwritten letter from the Dodger captain Pee Wee Reese. The correspondence below explains the content of this letter which reads in part, “Am sorry that I can’t get my wife a ring but I guess it’s impossible. Just have to split my time between the ’55 ring and the ’59. I believe I had a little more to do with the ’55 club so maybe I’ll divide it 60-40.” Reese then closes the letter with a large flowing signature.

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Pee Wee Reese is best remembered for his years in Brooklyn, but he also won a World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a coach. Here general manager Buzzie Bavasi writes. “Since a ring is the only thing we are able to secure for the World Championship I thought you might like to have a ring made up for Dotty rather than one for yourself.” Mrs. Dotty Reese answers in the next image.

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It appears Pee Wee took Buzzie Bavasi’s advice and decided to get a ring made up for Dotty Reese. Shown here is Mrs. Reese’s reply. It reads, “Please forgive our delay in sending you my ring size. I thought Pee Wee hand tended to it and he thought I had. My ring size is 6 /1/2. Sincerely, Dotty Reese. Alas Mrs. Reese would never get her ring as the correspondence continues in the next image.

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First GM Buzzie Bavasi suggested that Pee Wee get a ring for his wife. Pee Wee complied. Now comes this file copy letter on the subject. Dated 3 January, 1960, the letter is authored by Joe Ziegler of the Dodgers. It informs Pee Wee that the price was too exorbitant to make the ladies’ rings. It appears Pee Wee will have to make do with a pair of World Series rings. The first piece in the collection at the top of this page was Pee Wee’s final response.

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The team and Balfour Jewelers wanted to be sure that they players received their rings so they were shipped with a return receipt. Atop the trio of receipts is proof that Pee Wee Reese received the package in his native Kentucky. Also with the receipts are those of head trainer Doc Wendler, and coach Charlie Dressen.

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Dick Williams was asked to reflect on the life of Pee Wee Reese. Shown here is a Dodger press release announcing Reese’s passing. Williams writes in part, “He was the Captain and a good one. He was class. I always thought he would make a fine manager but I guess he wanted everyone to like him.” Williams then signs the bottom of the press release.

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Carl Erskine played for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for a dozen years, 11 of which alongside Harold “Pee Wee” Reese. In the collection is this 1999 Dodger press release dated four days after Reese’s death. The release announces that the Dodger players will wear a uniform patch honoring the former Brooklyn captain Reese.

At the bottom of the release Erskine has penned his thoughts on his longtime teammate. The pitcher’s thoughts provide insight into the longest reigning captain in Dodger franchise history.

“Harold ‘Pee Wee’ Reese was a captain of captains. Our infield was full of captains. Roy Campanella was like a field general, Gil Hodges a sharp thinker with baseball savvy. Jackie Robinson – smart and aggressive – anyone (sic) of them could have been a captain. Pee Wee however was the respected leader. He played for at least four different type managers all of whom considered him their extension on the field. All of us who played with Pee Wee saw a quiet leader, real pro and sincere friend.”

Erskine has boldly signed the bottom of the letter, adding “Dodgers 1948-1959”.

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When the two teams were in New York, the Dodger/Giant rivalry was one of the most heated in baseball history. The players and fans of the teams hated each other. In the collection is this Dodger press release dated August 18, 1999, four days after the passing of Brooklyn shortstop and captain Pee Wee Reese. In it the team announces that the players will wear a uniform patch honoring their fallen leader Reese.

At the bottom of the press release, New York Giants legend Bobby Thomson writes his thoughts on the rivalry between the two teams and Reese himself, “First you must appreciate the historical rivalry we had with the Dodgers. It was beyond most rivalries. We didn’t like them and they didn’t like us, and it showed in every game we played.”

Thomson then turns his attention to the Hall of Fame Dodger shortstop, “…there were two Pee Wee’s; the one I played against and the relationship I had with him after our playing careers. No question he was an inspirational great player, but I wouldn’t admit that when we played.”

Thomson finishes his thoughts on the back of the press release shown in the next image.

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On the reverse of the press release, New York Giants star Bobby Thomson finishes his thoughts on Brooklyn Dodger captain Harold “Pee Wee” Reese. Thomson disliked the Dodgers and saw them as rivals. That rivalry ran so deep that Thomson could not even acknowledge Reese’s inspirational work for Brooklyn. Here, Thomson writes about their relationship after their playing days concluded.

Thomson’s thoughts begin on the front side shown in the previous image before continuing here. He writes, “It wasn’t until after our careers ended and we met as plain people [that] I realized what a fine man Pee Wee was.”

Thomson ends the letter with one of the highest compliments one rival can pay another, “He (Reese) was the kind of guy I would have loved to play with.”

The letter closes with Thomson’s signature at the bottom.