Skip to main content

Contracts, Assignments and Transfer Agreements collection

 Collection
Identifier: BA MSS 262

Scope and Contents

The collection is organized into two series, series I is contracts and series II are transfer agreements. Series I is sub-divided into six sets. Set I are contracts from 1879-1900. Set 2 are contracts from 1901-1920. Set 3 are contracts from 1921-1930. Set 4 are contracts from 1931-1950. Set 5 are contracts from 1951-present. Set 6 are oversized contracts. Some contracts are unsigned and undated. Types of contracts include Articles of Agreement, Uniform Player’s Contracts, Umpire Contracts, Player’s Contracts, Release Forms, and Probationary Contracts. Includes many Hall of Famers such as Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, and Cy Young. Also includes the Kuhn contract when he was elected as commissioner, Feb 4, 1969. Series II are Assignements and Transfer agreements between two clubs, transferring one player or a multi-player agreement.

Dates

  • 1870-1988

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Contracts with SSN will be copied and redacted prior to use. Materials are open without restrictions but viewing materials does require an appointment. Please contact the Giamatti Research Center, research@baseballhall.org, 607-547-0330.

Conditions Governing Use

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum provides use copies of materials to facilitate private study, scholarship, and research. The Museum welcomes you to use materials in our collections that are in the public domain and to make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law and with proper citation. Permission to publish materials must be obtained from: Giamatti Research Center, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 25 Main St., Cooperstown, NY 13326 Phone: 607.547.0330 E-mail: research@baseballhall.org

Extent

6.34 Linear Feet (in 11 document boxes and 1 flat storage box )

5.97 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A collection of contracts, assignment and transfer agreements between individual players, umpires, and scouts and baseball clubs or leagues, dated between 1870 and 1988.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series. Series I Contracts and Series II Assignment and Transfer Agreements. Series I is divided into six sub-series: Sub-series 1 1879-1900, Sub-series 2 1901-1920, Sub-series 3 1921-1930, Sub-series 4 1931-1950, Sub-series 5 1951-present, Sub-series 6 Oversize.

Physical Location

Manuscript Archives, Aisle 13, Range b, Shelves 5-6; Aisle 2, Range b, Shelf 1

Custodial History

The contracts in this collection were donated or acquired through many sources over the span of years. The accession record would need to be searched to get provenance.

Appraisal

No materials were removed during accessioning or processing.

Accruals

Items will be added as they are received.

Existence and Location of Copies

Series I Contracts, are available as digital surrogates.

Processing Information

Contracts and transfer agreements were placed in archival sleeves if deemed necessary and in acid-free folders.

Title
Guide to the Contracts, Assignments and Transfer Agreeements collection
Status
Completed
Author
Kelli Yakabu, Steele intern 2018, reviewed and updates by Claudette Scrafford, Manuscript Archivist
Date
August 2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • December 2022: Additional contracts, transfers, and agreements were added by Claudette Scrafford

Repository Details

Part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archives Repository

Contact:
25 Main St.
Cooperstown NEW YORK 13326 USA