To say this home plate has seen it all would be an understatement, for this is the original home plate from THE Yankee Stadium. From Babe Ruth’s home run on Opening Day in 1923 and the first at bat of Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive games to Don Larson’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series and the advent of the designated hitter, this home plate from Yankee Stadium has been ground zero for baseball’s greatest moments.
Over twenty World Series’ and four All-Star Games were played with this plate as the centerpiece. Babe Ruth socked 259 of his career home runs leaning in over this home plate and Jackie Robinson made history by being the first African American to appear in a World Series when he dug in at this dish in 1947. Standing before this plate in 1956 Mickey Mantle hit a ball that came within a foot or two of completely leaving the stadium, while legend has it in 1937 Josh Gibson hit a ball that actually did leave the park from this same spot. Yes, this home plate has seen it all.
The piece was manufactured by the Seamless Rubber Co. of New Haven Connecticut. The rubber plate was affixed to a base of layered wood and five steel spikes added to keep it firmly in place. Installed just before Opening Day in 1923, the plate remained intact until renovations were undertaken on the aging stadium in 1974 to 1975. The original home plate was removed and recovered from the bull pen (The plate had previously resided "in the stadium" according the letter from Inverex) by Jay Schwall, President of Invirex Demolition, Inc. which was doing the restoration work. The piece shows great wear and game use. The rubber is worn and scuffed, though its stoic white surface displays a hardy ruggedness that just roars “Yankees Pride.” The wood base exhibits much wear and the spikes are worn but remain resilient after fifty baseball seasons. A notation in marker on the wood base reads, “Home Plate for Yankee Stadium 4-18-1923 to End of 1973 Season.” The home plate measures 19” in length, 19 ½” in width and is 2 ½ tall with 3” spikes.
An incredible, absolutely one of a kind part of baseball history which comes with an LOA from PSA/DNA.
Other literature accompanying this piece: 1. A signed letter from Jay Schwall on Inverex Demolition, Inc. letter head to his attorney Steven J. Lane in which he states that this home plate was removed from the Stadium by his firm, further acknowledging it's move to the bullpen. 2. A bio of Steven J. Lane along with correspondence from him to Fogelman, detailing his relationship to Schwall and acquisition of the plate.
***COMES WITH DISPLAY CASE WITH GLASS COVER*** Shipping will be conducted by a third party freight company to insure preservation of the home plate with custom crating.
Estimate: $300,000+