Guide to the Howard "Lefty" Blethen Collection MSS.2019.10.05
Processed by Michael Lara and reviewed by Kate Steffens.
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
09/07/2021
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Howard "Lefty" Blethen Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2019-10-05
Physical Description:
1 Box
(1 linear ft.)
Date (inclusive): 1978-2001
Abstract: This collection of baseball memorabilia honors San Jose State University Hall of Fame baseball player Howard "Lefty" Blethen.
Materials include two awards, two autographed baseballs, and one autographed football. The materials are dated between 1978
and 2001.
Biographical / Historical
The materials in this collection were belongings of the first San Jose State University baseball player to play for a professional
baseball team. Blethen attended San Jose State in 1932 and graduated with a degree in education in 1935. Blethen continued
to star on local Bay Area amateur baseball teams thoughout the 1940s. Blethen remained connected with San Jose State as a
board member of the San Jose State College Alumni Association in 1950, and served as its president in 1955. The SJSU baseball
field was dedicated to Howard "Lefty" Blethen in 2001 after a donation from Fred and Sandra Blethen Chasalow. Blethen Field
was used from 2001 to 2016.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections and Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
Howard "Lefty" Blethen Collection, MSS.2019-10-05, San Jose State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Michael Lara, and reviewed by Kate Steffens in 2021.
Scope and Contents
Sports artifacts related to Howard "Lefty" Blethen, including an autograph model football dedicated to Lefty Blethen in 1978,
an SJSU President's Council paperweight from 1978, an SJSU Baseball Hall of Fame plaque, a 1987 World Series baseball autographed
by the 6th Commisioner of Baseball Peter Ueberroth, and a baseball autographed by the 2001 SJSU baseball team for the dedication
of Blethen Field.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ueberroth, Peter
San José State University
Major League Baseball (Organization)
Blethen, Howard "Lefty"
Fred and Sandra Blethen Chasalow
San José State University. Library. Special Collections & Archives
Box 1
Rawlings 1987 World Series Baseball Autographed by Peter Ueberroth
1987
Box 1
Blethen Field Dedication Game Ball, signed by SJSU Baseball Team, January 27, 2001
Box 1
Spalding Autograph Football presented to Lefty Blethen by SJSU football head coach Lynn Stiles, 1978. Signed by SJSU football
team and staff.
Box 1
San Jose State University Baseball Hall of Fame plaque presented to Howard Blethen, October 23, 1987
Box 1
San Jose State University President's Council, 1978, 1981
