This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2018
Perhaps no pair of teammates symbolized those 1950’s to early 60’s New York Yankee juggernauts better than Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford. The two men came up around the same time and quickly developed into superstars, turning the Bronx boys into perennial champions by virtue of their prodigious talent and becoming idols to young fans with their larger-than-life personas. Since both were teammates and pals from their playing careers until late in life, it was only fitting that they each be elected to the Hall of Fame at the same induction ceremony. That day came on January 14, 1974, and this unique dual-signed baseball marks the special occasion.
On the day of their election longtime Yankees beat writer Phil Pepe, who covered the Mick and Whitey for the better part of their careers, was making his rounds within the hallowed grounds of Cooperstown when he got Mantle and Ford to sign this very Spalding ONL (Feeney) baseball. The ball shows medium toning from age and some scuffing with the two newly minted Hall of Famers--Mantle on the sweet spot and Ford on the panel above--signing in 6/10 black pen. Pepe so eloquently notated a separate panel, “SIGNED 1/14/74 THE DAY MANTLE AND FORD WERE ELECTED TO THE HALL OF FAME.” The prestigious New York journalist and radio voice passed away in 2015 in New Jersey and our consignor (a former MLB pitcher himself) acquired the ball from Phil's son. Obviously, this is no ordinary Mantle/Ford dual-signed ball; it represents the moment these two Yankee legends became baseball immortals.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.