Earl Weaver Signed Payroll Check, Rochester Red Wings, 1966

A payroll check issued by Rochester Community Baseball Inc., made out to Earl Weaver in the amount of $90.00, dated July 7, 1966, drawn on the Lincoln Rochester Trust Company. At the time, Weaver was managing the Red Wings, Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate, a couple of years before he'd take over the Orioles in 1968 and go on to build a Hall of Fame managerial career defined by his aggressive use of statistics, platooning, and a fiery reputation that made him one of the most influential figures in the sport. The check is boldly signed by Weaver on the back and deposited through the Royal Bank of Canada's King Edward Hotel branch in Toronto, dated July 12, 1966, presumably while the Red Wings were on a road trip. PSA/DNA certified authentic (cert 83198351). A rare artifact from Weaver's pre-fame years in the minor leagues, right before he stepped into the dugout that would define his legacy.