"In the early 1950's my Dad, Norman G. Smith, CMSgt, USAF-Retired, and now lives in Manchester, Tennessee, played first base for his high school team at Bingham High School, Bingham, Maine.  His hero at the time was Walt Dropo who was the 1950 Rookie of the year for the Boston Red Sox.  Dropo also holds the record of 12 consecutive base hits, as well.  Dad purchased and use a first baseman's mitt which was endorsed and signed by Dropo.  Dad kept it all these years, some 50+, and carried the mitt virtually all over the world during his 36 year career with the USAF.  However, now in his 70s and deciding he would probably would not be playing first base very much in the future he put it up for bid on ebay.  Mitt was purchased by a nice lady in Mass for Mr Dropo, himself, who is now in a home in Mass.  She furnished the picture which accompanies this story.  Dad brought this to the attention of The Tennessean , the prominent Nashville Newspaper who published a story about it on Sunday, February 18, 2007 in the sports section with the headline:  '"A glove story:  Dropo gets gift via Midstate."