This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
Winning one game short of one hundred, the 1964 Yankees were the last edition of the great Bronx dynasty that traced its origins way back to 1947. Even though the team had some fresh blood in the likes of pitcher Jim Bouton and first baseman Joe Pepitone (both are on this ball), the team was top heavy with aging stars such as Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford (also present on this ball). Though they lost to the Cardinals for the World Championship, the ’64 Yankees are best remembered for the infamous “Harmonica Incident” when manager Yogi Berra blew his top at Phil Linz’ unwanted mouth organ exhibition on the team bus after a tough loss to the White Sox (both participants are here on this ball as well).
Twenty-five of the American League Champion Yankees have signed the ball, including Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra (together on the sweet spot), and Whitey Ford, plus Roger Maris, Elston Howard, Mel Stottlemyre and author of “Ball Four”, Jim Bouton. The signatures are mostly in blue ballpoint pen (now appearing somewhat green) and display nicely against the virtually untoned surface of the Reach Official American League (Cronin) ball.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA (overall grade 7.5)