Few names in Yankee history stir more emotion than that of Thurman Munson.  His ten-year career paralleled the Yankees' rise from a beaten-down but storied franchise to World Champions, Munson breaking in with the 5th place 1969 team, winning the AL Rookie of the Year in 1970.  He would go on to win three Gold Gloves and an American League MVP award just after being named the first Yankee captain since Lou Gehrig prior to the 1976 season.  Munson led the Yankees to three consecutive American League pennants, and back-to-back World Series in 1977 and 1978, a season that included one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history as the Yankees stormed back from a 14-game deficit in mid July to win their division. 

Munson's career, and life, were cut tragically short when he was killed in an airplane crash in August of 1979, the beloved catcher leaving a massive legacy and legions of admirers.  Munson's Yankee Stadium locker remained undisturbed until the stadium's 2008 demolition; it now resides inside the museum at the new park.  Even today, the Thurman Munson Award is given to athletes each year in recognition for their achievements and contributions to the community, its sponsor, the AHRC NYC Foundation having raised more than $20 million in the catcher's name, to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Presented here is an incredibly desirable relic - a baseball signed on the sweet spot by Munson in rich, black ink. The autograph, which has garnered a grade of NM-MT 8 from PSA/DNA, is clear and legible, placed nearly perfectly for display. The Wilson baseball is clean with light toning and a few stray marks here and there, all minor and not distracting from the beauty of the presentation in any way.  The baseball was signed by Munson and given to its original owners, who were close friends and business partners of the Munson family in Akron and Canton, Ohio.  The baseball has remained within the family ever since, until authenticated at the 2023 National and consigned to Love of the Game earlier this year. It is, without question, the finest single-signed Munson baseball we have encountered, the signature the most bold and legible we have ever seen.

An important piece of Yankees memorabilia, perhaps the finest single-signed Thurman Munson baseball known, which has remained with one family since its signing.  Full LOA from PSA/DNA.