After an even 11-11 record in his rookie season, Jim Bouton had the season for the ages in 1963. Backed by Mantle, Maris and Berra, Bouton completely dominated the American League all season, winning 21 games against just 7 losses. The Yanks started him in 30 games and he relieved in 10 more, holding the opposing bats to a 2.53 ERA. This collection of twenty-one baseballs are a physical record of Jim Bouton’s incredible 1963 season.
Each of the balls are an actual ball used in each of Bouton’s wins, from his first, a 7 1/3 inning relief win over the Senators thanks to a Tresh homer, to his twenty-first, a quick 98 minute win over the Angels on September 25th. Each ball has the win number, date, score and details meticulously recorded in black marker. The collection displays how much power Bouton had behind him while pitching in 1963 - many of the wins record homers by Mantle, Maris and Boyer. And in addition to those Yankees bats, Bouton in ’63 was an absolutely dominating pitcher, as the ball from his first start of the ’63 season records: “no hitter going into 7th complete game”. These 21 balls contain many minute and interesting details the box scores don’t tell you, such as his 11th win: “Won in relief with a change up to Francona” and “six hitter clinches American League pennant” on his 20th win ball.
Each of the 21 balls are Rawlings Official American League O’Neill balls and show varying degrees of game use. The inscriptions are for the most part very well preserved and strong, though several of the large printed win numbers on the ball from his later wins have faded due to the ink used. An incredibly unique record of Jim Bouton’s All-Star season.
LOA from Jim Bouton.