Early contract, signed “Monty Irvin,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.5 x 11, August 30, 1941. Puerto Rico League player’s contract in which Monte Irvin agrees to "play baseball during the 1941-1942 season” for the San Juan baseball club, for a weekly salary of $40. Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Irvin and countersigned by witnesses Heriberto and Monserrante Marín, and by San Juan Club President Roberto Colon. In fine condition, with punch holes to upper border.
In Thomas E. Van Hyning’s book Puerto Rico’s Winter League: A History of Major League Baseball’s Launching Pad, Irvin recalls his time playing for San Juan: ‘It was a great experience. I hadn’t been playing that long, so by going to Puerto Rico it gave me opportunities to practice my fielding, hit curveballs, hit change-ups. It gave me a chance to polish the skills I had.’ Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
