First baseball commissioner. Landis was elected to office on November 12, 1920, and helped restore public confidence in baseball following the Black Sox scandal of 1919. The former U.S. district judge banned eight White Sox players for life, despite their acquittal in a court of law. Landis subsequently issued other edicts utilizing the “absolute power” granted him by the owners to ensure the game’s integrity. TLS signed “K. M. L.,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Baseball letterhead, January 13, 1943. Letter to the president of the Detroit Baseball Company. In part, “Referring to your note about the change in our training camp policy…It is my belief that we will learn a good deal about the conditioning of athletes by this experiment. At least I am hoping so. Should it turn out to the contrary and everybody develops a charley horse or a sore arm, of course the whole organization is entitled to appoint the accusing finger at me, and I hereby grant everybody license to do that very thing.” In fine condition, with received stamp touching end of signature. COA Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
