LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 May Signature Sports Collectibles #709  / 

19689

1966 Mickey Mantle Career Home Run #485 Baseball

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop / Sports - Game Used Memorabilia Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
1966 Mickey Mantle Career Home Run #485 Baseball
<B>1966 Mickey Mantle Career Home Run #485 Baseball.</B></I> The included letter of provenance tells the story better than we could, so we transcribe it here:<BR><BR> "During the years from 1964 to 1966, I was the batboy for the old Washington Senators Baseball Club. Fortunately, I saved a few souvenirs during that time. On July 1, 1966, the New York Yankees were in town (D.C. Stadium, later became R.F.K. Stadium) playing a series with the Senators. Phil Ortega pitched for Washington on that day. During the game, Mickey Mantle hit a home run (Home run #485) off Ortega that hit the mezzanine and bounced back onto the playing field. The left fielder threw the ball to the Yankee dugout. The Yankee batboy threw the ball to me in our dugout (home teams supplied the game balls). I put the ball in my back pocket.<BR> After the ball game, I asked Phil Ortega if he wanted the baseball. Ortega had no interest in keeping the ball, so I asked him if he would get Mantle to sign the ball for me (growing frustrated of signing autographs later in his career, it was increasingly difficult to get Mantle to sign, except for fellow ballplayers). Ortega asked me what I wanted Mantle to sign on the ball. I asked for him to sign, "To Al, Best Wishes, Mickey Mantle." Phil Ortega sent the baseball to the Yankee clubhouse for the autograph. Either Mantle or the messenger became confused. The ball was sent back to me signed, <I>"To Phil, Best Wishes, and thanks for throwing this one easy, Mickey Mantle."</B></I> I decided to keep the baseball anyway, because it had Mickey Mantle's signature on it.<BR><BR>Now over forty years later, the OAL (Cronin) baseball that the great Mickey Mantle sent on its wild ride still presents exactly as described, its toned hide carrying the clever inscription at a boldness of 7/10. As one of just a handful of Mantle home run balls ever to reach the auction block, this offering presents the advanced collector with a rare opportunity to bring a Cooperstown-quality artifact into his personal portfolio. <I>LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Balls, Pucks, etc., Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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