In my book Deadball, A Metaphysical Baseball Novel, one of the many baseball-related places Byron Bennett visits is Newcomerstown, Ohio, the adopted home town of Cy Young (Young actually lived with his friends the Bendum’s in nearby Peoli, Ohio). The Temperance Tavern Museum, located in Newcomerstown, boasts an impressive collection of Cy Young souvenirs and memorabilia.
The Temperance Tavern Museum, Newcomerstown, Ohio
First and foremost is Young’s complete 1908 Boston Red Sox uniform. The uniform was donated to the museum by a woman who lived in Newcomerstown. Her father was one of Young’s closest friends. The woman discovered the uniform in one of her father’s trunks years after her father died.
Cy Young's 1908 Red Sox Uniform
The glass display case that lines the right side of the Cy Young room includes numerous mementos from Young’s baseball career, as well as artifacts from his life in Peoli after retirement.
Cy Young Display Case, Temperance Tavern Museum
Perhaps most impressive of the post-baseball items is Young’s rocking chair. According to local legend, in his later years, Young could often be found sitting in that chair on the front porch of the house where he lived.
Cy Young's Rocking Chair
The museum’s display includes the last hat and shoes Young ever wore. The grey fedora and black high button shoes are sandwiched between a Boston Redsox penant and a replica of Young’s Hall of Fame plaque.
Cy Young's Last Hat and Shoes
Newcomerstown also has a little league field named in Young’s honor. The house where he lived still stands (barely) in Peoli (see Cy Young Home). The cemetery where he is buried is less than a mile from his former home.
I am proud to possess a Colonial flag Co. Coshocton, OH
flag marked “Three Rivers” 3′ x 3′ 100% cotton Cy Young
Newcomerstown, Ohio Ohio’s Baseball Museum autographed
by Walt Alston Edd J. Rousch Earl Averill Early Wynn Red Ruffing Al Lopez Joe Sewell Waite C. Hoyt Bill Veck Frank Robinson Satchel Paige Stanly Coveleskie and Bob Feller.
Hello Danny
What a great souvenir. You should be proud. What is the back story? How did you come to possess the flag. Any idea how old it is?
I hope you will consider sending me a jpg of the flag so I can post it on the site. If so, just let me know and I will contact you via email.
Thanks for letting me know!
DBS
I have a signed Cy young postcard just like the one in the glass case. the black and white one with the memorial plaque.
This was given to me when I was 11 by John Marstrell.
I went to dinner with my father and Mr. Marstrell, my father was his attorney.
He asked me if I liked Baseball and 3 days later my father came home with this post card
the strange thing is it looks like Cy Young signed it twice right over top each other like it was too faint of the pen malfunctioned.
John wrote on the back
“Hello John
Find enclosed autographed card signed by the late Cy Young.
Nice knowing you
Keep up the good work
Kindest regards
Your friend
John L Marstrell
First president of the Old Timers Baseball Association.”
I looked Mr. Marstrell up
in 1996 he was the last living person to bat against Cy Young, and he was a pall bearer at Cy Young’s funeral.
How would I go about authenticating the Autograph?
Any idea I’m at a loss?…
John Lehigh
Baseball fan
Hello John
Thank you for your post! I’ve looked but can’t find the postcard you reference. Which picture on the website is it in? I’m guessing you might be talking about a Cy Young Hall of Fame plaque post card. If so, here is one that sold for over $1,000: http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2005/504.html. JSA is one company that authenticates such things.
Sounds like what you have is quite special, especially considering its province from John L. Marstrell. If you are able, I certainly would appreciate seeing a scan of the card and the letter. I would post them on the website, if that would be okay with you. I hope to hear from you again.
DBS
I was talking to my father . He also use to hang out with John and Cy Young they all belonged to the Urichsville Elks Club. My father couldn’t believe that an autograph from Cy would be worth so much. He said he was always sighing things for people.
the problem with this signature is he signed it twice right over the top of each other , you can tell it wasn’t traced but the pen might have gave out or he signed over his old signature cause it faded. I don’t know .. but if you have an E mail address I will send you some pictures as attachments. My best friend is a professional Photographer and I had him shot some pictures of both sides. there is no letter the Marstrell writing is on the back of it .. and you nailed it .. it is exactly what your link shows.
John Lehigh
check out my face book page I just posted the photos
i made it public
can you delete my fathers phone number please I forget this isn’t email but public. Thank you
John Lehigh
All set. I will give him a call. Sorry about posting it on line.
You should definitely submit the HOF card for authentication. I’m no expert, but it looks real to me and it appears, as you said, that perhaps Mr,. Young had a problem with the pen and had to start over. A company that authenticates such thing should know. The additional information on the back helps lend it authentication as well.