This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/14/2024
This Type 1 photo captures what was perhaps the most dramatic moment of baseball history: Bobby Thompson’s bottom of the ninth home run off Ralph Branca that won the 1951 pennant for the New York Giants. Called “The Shot Heard Round the World,” Thompson’s home run was the crowning moment of the Giants late-season winning streak that found them in a dead-tie with the Brooklyn Dodgers on the last day of the 1951 season. This necessitated a best of three playoff series that came down to the ninth inning of Game 3. The photographer from Wide World Photos was able to snap the shutter just moments after Bobby Thompson connected with the ball that would win the pennant. While many photos exist of the climactic aftermath of Thompson’ homer, not many were taken at the moment of contact. This is one of, if not the best, taken of the action at home plate. This photo is only one of two certified as a Type 1 by PSA. The front of the photo shows toning throughout from age along with some edge wear and creasing to the white borders. The back of the photo is interesting in that the multiple stampings, stickers, caption slugs and handwriting kind of echoes the chaos and excitement of Thompson’s pennant-winning home run. The photograph measures 7 x 9” and has been encapsulated and graded a Type 1 by PSA.