This unique, black-stitched Mickey Mantle Memorial baseball, signed by the 1996 World Champions, pays homage to the baseball legend who passed away the previous year. The 1996 New York Yankees won the AL East with a record of 92-70, four games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. It was their first division title since 1981. They beat the Texas Rangers in the ALDS and knocked off the O's in the ALCS to face Atlanta in the Fall Classic. After losing the first two games at home, the Yanks won four straight over the Braves for their first World Series title in 18 years.
The OAL (Budig) baseball boasts 31 signatures including Hall of Famers Joe Torre (SS), Tim Raines, Wade Boggs and Mariano Rivera as well as Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, John Wetteland "PS.9:10" ('96 WS MVP), David Cone, Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Cecil Fielder, Kenny Rogers, Jimmy Key, Joe Girardi, Scott Brosius, Charlie Hayes, Willie Randolph and Mel Stottlemyre, among others. The ball is slightly toned (EM/NM overall) and the signatures range 6-8/10. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.