July 15, 2021: Summer Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2021
Here’s a fascinating American League official player’s contract from a player who was part of Charlie O. Finley’s legendary strategic tinkering in the 1970s, essentially a “designated runner” who, like teammate Herb Washington, was employed largely as a pinch runner and stolen base exponent. The six-page 8 ½-by-11-inch contract (one page is blank), is in essentially Ex-Mt-Plus condition, with no folds and a spectacular, pristine presentation. It includes two ballpoint autographs from Hopkins (Page One and Page Four), Finley (in blazing black Sharpie twice on Page Four) and Lee Macphail, also on Page Four. Hopkins, who did not actually appear that year, had two years of major-league experience, the bulk in 1976 as he filled in a role that had been played largely by Washington the year before. In his career, being part of Finley’s legendary fussing with tactics and strategy, left Hopkins with an unusual career log: 85 Games, 6 At Bats, 1 Hit, 25 Runs scored and 21 Stolen Bases.
Don Hopkins Athletics Player’s Contract With MacPhail, Finley, Hopkins Sigs (1977)
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