{"product_id":"1909-11-t206-piedmont-350-460-25-russ-ford-psa-vg-ex-4","title":"1909-11 T206 Piedmont 350 - 460\/25 Russ Ford PSA VG-EX 4","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eT206 Piedmont 350-460\/25 Russ Ford PSA 4 – The Inventor of the Emery Ball\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA sharp mid-grade representative from the iconic 1909–1911 T206 tobacco card series, the most celebrated pre-war baseball set ever produced. Distributed through cigarette packs by the American Tobacco Company, the release captured the players of baseball's Deadball Era — including men whose innovations on the mound would reshape the game itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRuss Ford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was one of the most fascinating and inventive pitchers of the early 20th century, a Canadian-born right-hander for the New York Highlanders who authored one of the greatest rookie seasons in major league history — 26 wins, 6 losses, and a 1.65 ERA in 1910 — all fueled by a secret weapon he guarded for years. Ford had discovered that roughing one side of a baseball with a hidden piece of emery paper caused it to break at unpredictable angles, baffling hitters who assumed he was throwing a spitball. He followed his legendary debut with 22 more wins in 1911 before arm trouble eroded his effectiveness. When the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eemery ball was finally identified and outlawed in 1914\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c\/strong\u003e Ford's time at the top was over — but his invention set a precedent that altered pitching craft for generations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis card features the Piedmont 350-460\/25 advertising reverse and carries a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePSA VG-EX 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e grade, offering strong overall eye appeal with moderate vintage wear appropriate for a century-old tobacco card. A compelling piece tied to one of baseball's most intriguing — and secretive — competitive innovations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hall of Fame Exchange","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53103254339893,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/7827\/6917\/files\/T206Piedmont350-460_25RussFord.png?v=1783445255","url":"https:\/\/halloffameexchange.com\/products\/1909-11-t206-piedmont-350-460-25-russ-ford-psa-vg-ex-4","provider":"Hall of Fame Exchange","version":"1.0","type":"link"}