This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/7/2009
When Joe Jackson left a criminal court building in custody of a sheriff after telling his story to the grand jury, he found several hundred youngsters, aged from 6 to 16, awaiting for a glimpse of their idol. One urchin stepped up to the outfielder, and, grabbing his coat sleeve, said: "It ain't true, is it, Joe?" "Yes, kid, I'm afraid it is," Jackson replied. The boys opened a path for the ball player and stood in silence until he passed out of sight. "Well, I'd never have thought it," sighed the lad. Regardless of whether Jackson's exchange with the shocked young fan was a true historical event or a fabrication by a sensationalist journalist, the "Say It Ain't So" story remains an oft-repeated and well-known part of baseball lore. Stories just like this one as well as movies such as Eight Men Out as well as Field Of Dreams have brought Joe Jackson's story to the casual fan. Advanced fans as well as hobbyists have long known Jackson's story as well as his eventual plight in his banishment from the game forever. The offered card has been graded NM+ 86(7.5) by SGC and is the highest graded example on record with SGC. Exceptionally well centered left to right with the top to bottom centering slightly favoring the bottom edge along with four strong upper end NM or better corners. The picture quality of the tragic American hero is precisely focused while the surface is full of a scintillating light covering of gloss. The reverse is of the blank backed variety and shows no evidence of mishandling. A significant card offered in outstanding strong NM+ condition teetering on an even stronger assessment.