The "Bronx Zoo" era of Yankees baseball proved that team chemistry does not always matter as long as there's enough talent and passion in the dugout. With a clubhouse full of fiery personalities, headlined by slugger Reggie Jackson and manager Billy Martin (who left the team mid-season amid the drama), the Yankees were somehow able to overcome the Red Sox and, more impressively, themselves to claim a second straight World Series crown. In fact, New York downed the Dodgers by the same 4-games-to-2 margin in each Fall Classic. The '78 Yanks stood 14 games behind Boston in July before storming back to take the AL East, culminating with that famous Bucky "F---ing" Dent home run in the deciding one-game playoff. Ron Guidry took home the Cy Young by unanimous vote and was the last pitcher to win 25 games in a season in the 20th century.
This magnificently bold 1978 Yanks team ball features a whopping 37 signatures including Hall of Famers Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Rich "Goose" Gossage, Bob Lemon (SS) and Yogi Berra. Others include the coveted Thurman Munson (9.5/10), Dick Tidrow, Chris Chambliss, Sparky Lyle, Ron Guidry, Paul Blair, Ed Figueroa, Jay Johnstone, Brian Doyle, Fred Stanley, Lou Piniella, Mickey Rivers, Mike Heath, Elston Howard, Jim Spencer, Dick Howser, Cliff Johnson, Jim Beattie, Willie Randolph and Graig Nettles. The OAL (MacPhail) baseball has a few toned areas and a minor scuff mark, but the dark black penned autographs pop loud and clear on this jam-packed ball. Reggie Jackson has been deemed a clubhouse signature, yet the ball is still one of the finest examples of this controversial championship team you will ever find in the market. Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA with a Mint 9 auto grade. The notation “1978 World Champions” is written in an unknown hand.