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Jackie Jensen had a collegiate athletic career that would be the envy of anyone who ever picked up a ball. An All American halfback on the gridiron, Jensen was the first man in Cal’s history to rush for over 1,000 yards.

He led Cal to a 10-0 record his junior season. The school won it’s first Pacific Coast Conference title in a decade as Jensen placed fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

In baseball, he was a pitcher and outfielder on Cal’s 1947 squad. That year the first College World Series was played. Jensen pitched and hit his team to the first CWS championship. They defeated Yale and future president George Bush, their team captain to earn the title.

In 1950, he embarked on an 11-year MLB career. His best years came from 1954-1959. During the six-season run Jensen averaged 26 homers and 111 runs batted in. The right fielder led the league in RBI three times and earned the AL MVP Award in 1958.

In 1959 Jensen slammed 28 homers and drove in 112. He also tallied a career-best 101 runs scored. By then, baseball expanded to the west coast. Crippled by an intense fear of flying, Jensen retired near the top of his game.

He returned to the game in 1961 then retired for good.

In the collection is this pass signed by Jensen and issued to legendary pitcher Harvey Haddix. It gives the hurler “complimentary privileges at all Harrah’s restaurants and bars plus check-cashing privileges.”

Dated October 1, 1963, Haddix received this just two days after the conclusion of his season with the Pirates. Best remembered for pitching a 12-inning perfect game against Hank Aaron’s Braves on May 26, 1959, Haddix went on to become an outstanding pitching coach.