An amazing archive of letters, documents and contracts originating from the files of former National League President Charles Feeney from his days as Vice President of the San Francisco Giants.
From the date range of 1963 through 1965, these documents offer a candid look at the direct negotiations between the Giants and some of their star players during the time period, including Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal and Matty Alou. Long before agents were a staple in athlete negotiations, this archive showcases direct negotiations between Feeney and the previously mentioned players. This lot consists of the following items:
-Nine (9) one-page onion skin copies of letters from Feeney regarding their contracts for the '63-'66 seasons
-Two (2) identical Uniform Players contracts between the Giants and Juan Marichal for the 1964 season, both of which are signed by Feeney but were declined and unsigned by Marichal, who returned the contracts back to Feeney
-Two (2) one-page documents, on Giants letterhead, dated January of 1964 and January of 1966, in which Willie McCovey acknowledges receipt of his players contracts for the upcoming seasons, both hand-signed by McCovey in blue ballpoint pen.
-A one-page handwritten and signed letter, January 15, 1964, penned by Willie McCovey to Feeney over his dissatisfaction of his contract proposal for the 1964 season, reading in part, "This seems to be the same contract that I turned down last week...I told you this is not enough money. I'm quite sure I'm worth more to this club than the money you are offering me."
-A one-page handwritten signed letter from Gaylord Perry to Feeney, no date, circa January 1965, Giants letterhead, reading in part, "Received the 1965 contract and have given it a great deal of consideration. Since I did prove myself in relief and starting I would appreciate it if you would take another look at the past season. I feel the contract should be a great deal more."
-Another one-page handwritten letter from Perry, circa January/February 1965, after apparently coming to terms with the club, in which he writes, "Looking forward to the 1965 season. I'm sure we can win and for myself I will give a great deal extra." Ironically, this letter is penned on Security Life and Trust letterhead as Perry had an off-season job as an insurance agent!
-A two-page handwritten letter from Matty Alou to Giants President Horace Stoneham, dated February of 1965, in which Alou writes in part, "You said you would give me a contract for $17,000 per year. Mr. Feeney sent me the same contract twice calling for $14,000. I know you will give me what you said you would. I want to hear from you so I know everything about it."
The final item--and perhaps the most intriguing--is a one-page typed and signed letter from Juan Marichal to Feeney, February 6, 1964, in which Marichal pleads his case for a raise after coming off a 25-win performance in the prior season, reading in part: "I myself received desillucion [sic] also, as after doing a job as I did in past Season, I never thought I would receive a contract with such little augmentation...I request you send me one in the amount of $45,000, sum that I believe I should earn after realizing the job that I did in 1963."
A true vintage gem not only for the Giants fan but the baseball historian and collector in general. All signed and handwritten letters are accompanied by COAs from James Spence Authentication (JSA).