Contract, signed “Ralph M. Kiner,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.5 x 11, January 28, 1946. Ralph Kiner's rookie contract, a National League uniform player’s contract in which he agrees to render "skilled service as a baseball player in connection with all games of the Club during the year 1946" for the Pittsburgh Pirates, for the salary of $600 per month. Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Kiner (adding his address, "2121 Winthrop Dr., Alhambra, Calif."), and countersigned by Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Ray Kennedy. The reverse bears a stamped signature of National League President Ford Frick. In fine condition.
In his impressive rookie year, Kiner led the National League in home runs with 23, but also struck out a league-high 109 times. The promising young slugger received instruction from future Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg in the off-season, and broke out the following season with a Major League-leading 51 homers while limiting strikeouts to just 81. After leading the Majors in home runs in six straight seasons, he was traded from the Pirates to the Cubs in mid-1953. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
