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Lot # 222: 1918-28 Buck Lai, "FIRST Chinese Professional Baseball Player" NY Giants Rookie!

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 25 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Winter Premier Auction 2021",
which ran from 2/13/2021 7:15 PM to
3/6/2021 8:00 PM



In 1928 a Chinese Ballplayer named Buck Lai was invited to Spring Training with the New York Giants. He had been a solid Minor Leaguer for several years (1918-1921) with Bridgeport and one of the best Semi-Pro players in the New York area throughout the 1920's. He was a player for the Pirates in 1918 at Spring Training and as such he was the first Chinese Professional Baseball Player (1918) and also the first to appear in a Major League game (Spring Training 1918) making this quite the find for Asian Sports Historians! Photo is a clear and bold silver gelatin masterpiece which is the only portrait style of Lai we have seen! Fitting that as the first Chinese-American to ever appear in a Major League uniform that he is pictured here wearing an AMERICAN FLAG! Reverse carries a complete paper tag and also stamps from NEA and Acme. Don't miss this unique opportunity to own a piece of Asian American Sports History!

Size: 6.5x8.5
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 4.5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall Grade: 9/10

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