1915 Cracker Jack #153 Bill James PSA NM 7

1915 Cracker Jack #153 Bill James PSA 7 - A Federal League Arm in Cracker Jack Red

The 1915 Cracker Jack #153 Bill James preserves a fascinating name from one of baseball’s most turbulent periods. James—often distinguished as “Seattle Bill” James—had established himself as a formidable right-hander before joining the Federal League’s St. Louis Terriers. That short-lived circuit challenged the established American and National Leagues for major-league talent, making James’ Cracker Jack appearance a colorful piece of both baseball and business history. Against the set’s unmistakable red backdrop, he becomes part of one of the Deadball Era’s most beloved cardboard productions.

This example has earned an impressive PSA NM 7, an outstanding level of preservation for a card now more than a century old. The 1915 Cracker Jack set remains instantly recognizable for its compact format, vivid imagery, and extensive checklist of players from the era. At the PSA 7 level, this James offers advanced collectors a particularly strong example of an issue whose appeal extends well beyond Hall of Fame names—the set itself has become the attraction.

James’ finest season came in 1914, when he starred for the Boston Braves during their miraculous championship run. He went 26-7 with a 1.90 ERA, helping a club that had occupied last place on July 4 storm all the way to the National League pennant. In the World Series against Philadelphia, James was brilliant, throwing a complete-game shutout in Game 2 as the “Miracle Braves” completed their stunning sweep.