Presented here is a sharp Type I photograph of a 20-year-old Mickey Mantle taken June 19, 1951, early in his rookie season. The timing of this image is significant for two reasons: (1) Mickey is wearing the rarely seen #6 jersey first given to him at the beginning of the season; (2) it was arguably Mantle’s best game as a rookie.
The Commerce Comet wore No. 6 through July 13th of his rookie year. After being sent down to Triple-A for a month, he was handed the #7 jersey upon his return to the Yankee lineup in late August. Number 6 was short-lived and photos of The Mick wearing it are tough to find.
The Yankees hosted a doubleheader against the White Sox on June 19th. This striking action shot shows Mantle pursuing a long gapper in the first inning of Game One. The result was an RBI triple to put Chicago ahead, 1-0. But the young switch-hitter from Oklahoma would have himself a day at the plate going 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot with a three-run homer (#3 of his career), two runs scored and four RBI and leading the Yanks to an 11-9 victory. Statistically, it was Mantle’s finest offensive performance to date in pinstripes. He followed it up with a solo home run in Game Two.
The crystal-clear quality of this image is second to none, the ball in mid-flight before ricocheting off the fence in right-center. Perfectly captured reactions from spectators in the stands and the bullpen tell the story. The reverse is stamped by ACME Newspictures with a dated and descriptive caption. Condition is immaculate, maybe even warranting a Pristine grade if there was such a rating for photos.
DATE/YEAR/ERA: 6/19/1951
GENERATION: First (original negative)
ISSUER/NEWSPAPER: ACME Newspictures
CAPTIONED: Yes
DIMS: 7” x 9”
Encapsulated by PSA/DNA, Type I