Lot # 1080: 1974 Mickey Mantle Hall of Fame Induction Collection w/Signed Program (JSA)

Starting Bid: $250.00

Bids: 14 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
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This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring, 2022 Premier Auction",
which ran from 3/16/2022 9:00 PM to
4/2/2022 9:00 PM



On March 1, 1969, Mickey Mantle announced his legendary career had come to an end, and that he would be retiring from baseball.  More than 70,000 fans packed Yankee Stadium on Mickey Mantle Day that June 8, Mantle telling the crowd "I always wondered how a man who knew he was going to die could stand here and say he was the luckiest man in the world.  Now I think I know how Lou Gehrig felt."  As soon as he was eligible, Mantle was inducted into the Hall of Fame, appearing on 88% of the ballots and receiving the most votes of all the eligible candidates that year.  Mantle was joined on induction day by his teammate Whitey Ford, who appeared on 77.8% of ballots, and received the second-most votes.  

Along with Cool Papa Bell (inducted by the Negro Leagues committee), as well as Jim Bottomley, Jocko Conlan and Sam Thompson (chosen by the Veterans Committee), Mantle and Ford were officially inducted on August 12, 1974.  In attendance at the ceremony was a young sportswriter from Indiana, who had the presence of mind to approach Mantle during the day and obtain a clean, ballpoint signature on the front page of the induction program.  The program, along with his Hall of Fame guest finback and press pass, and a vintage color photo print of Mantle, have been carefully stored since.  The program remains in outstanding condition, with a few light wrinkles and some edge toning, the signature bold and crisp.  The guest pass and ribbon appear in VG-EX+ condition with some wrinkling to the ribbon and mild oxidation on the reverse.  The press pass is a heavy cardboard pass, in EX condition aside from a thumbtack hole and some light corner wear.  Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

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