Can you identify this signature?

[sirenbrian]

Hi everyone,
At a recent auction I found this signed ball in a box of hardback books. It was a nice bonus, but it doesn't help much if I can't identify the signature. (Of course, without COA I probably won't get far either, but still....)

If it's any help, I live in Jupiter FL and the Cardinals have their spring training here - perhaps it was a player from that team? The ball itself has the words "Rawlings" and "Official Ball American League" and "Bobby Brown" listed as president.

All help appreciated - thanks everyone!

[jakre]

Jim Abbott?

[sirenbrian]

I search on "jim abbott" signature baseball and found a signed card on eBay with a very, very similar signature - thanks! Should I take the trouble to get it properly authenticated? Might it be valuable?

edit: Interesting - the same item, (http://cgi.ebay.com/JIM-ABBOTT-SIGNED-BALL-WHEN-BOBBY-BROWN-WAS-PRESIDENT_W0QQitemZ290133213226QQihZ019QQcategoryZ 27260QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem)a "bobby brown" era ball with Jim Abbot's sig in an ebay store for $169.

[dmbfan]

Definately Jim Abbott, the LHP whose right hand was deformed at birth. He pitched for University of Michigan and was drafted in the first round by the Angels in 1988. He never played in the Minors and also pitched for the White Sox and Yankees and pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees. He's a very tough autograph to get nowadays. Worth of the autograph is probably in the neighborhood of about $50. With the condition of your baseball and without authentication, you're probably looking at about $30. A very nice find nonetheless.