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LOT 7 - Incredible 1956 Oversized Baseball Signed by 53 Yankees in 1956 Spring Training

Billy Martin's Gift to His First Fiancé Marie DeBratto in March 1956 - JSA LOA

The sheer wonder of the sports memorabilia hobby is the "unknown", whereby an artifact can surface "out of the blue", rendering even the most advanced enthusiast virtually speechless. Such is the case for this miraculous 1956 oversized baseball that miraculously include 53 Yankee related signatures including Mantle and Stengel, with not a SINGLE clubhouse signature inscribed on this "one of a kind" marvel.

This amazing oversized baseball's anatomy is similar to a professional sized ball, with its surface made from real horsehide that is tightly woven via bold red stitching. Its diameter is approximately 6.5", with its likewise approximate 20.4" circumference enabling it to satisfy the remarkable 53 scripts. Most significant, however, is the fact that this was the EXACT ball that Yankee Legend Billy Martin presented to his first fiancé Marie DeBratto in 1956 as his personal engagement gift to her!

Indeed, the provenance of this ball is incredible to say the least, with Marie DeBratto's nephew Joe Kindya the proud baseball owner and consignor of this unique marvel that arguably resides as the most comprehensive signed baseball extant!

THE STORY BEHIND THE BASEBALL

Marie DeBratto grew up in New York a die-hard Yankee fan and worked for the American Guild for Variety Artists (AVGA) that sponsored a New York Yankee "meet and greet" event in 1954. It was at this occasion that "sparks would fly" between Billy Martin and Marie and they would begin too build a life-long relationship/friendship that led Martin to propose to Marie in early 1956. During their first two years of dating, Marie would ultimately meet other Yankee stars such as Mantle, Berra, Ford, Rizzuto, etc. and her passion for this great Yankee team grew with tsunami-like force. After Martin proposed to her in early 1956, Billy decided the best possible engagement gift (other than the ring) he could give his darling Marie would be a ball signed by every conceivable New York Yankee, and what better venue to achieve this goal than at their 1956 St. Petersburgh spring training facility. Martin wanted every possible Yankee signature on a baseball, and since spring training includes an excessive group of minor league players trying to make the "big squad", Martin had no choice but to purchase a colossal sized baseball that could fit at least 50 scripts or more. Thus, the stage was set for this extraordinary offering with Billy relentlessly requesting each Yankee player to autograph this momentous oversized baseball in bold blue ink. Marie was ecstatic after receiving her engagement gift and cherished it decades to come.

Unfortunately, she and Billy would eventually split-up in 1958, with Martin eventually marrying his second wife in 1961 (Martin would marry four times). Fortunately for Marie and Billy, they always remained very close friends, right up to Martin's untimely death via a tragic car accident on Christmas Day 1989. In Marie's eyes, this baseball would always be a cherished heirloom from her everlasting bond between her and Billy, and while she never married and had children, her lifelong memories of the valued friendship she shared with Martin, Mantle, Berra, Ford, etc. during that fascinating "Golden Age" would forever be the highlight of her life. Currently 81-years old and residing in a New York based nursing home, Marie decided to pass the ball along to her loving nephew Joe Kindya approximately ten years ago, who likewise coveted this sensational family keepsake. Now, Mr. Kindya has ultimately decided to "pass it along" to another avid Yankee fan/collector with the valued prospect that its new owner will equally cherish it in the same manner as his Aunt Marie. As a further testament to Billy Martin's relationship with Marie DeBratto, we have included several photos of Billy & Marie; Billy, Marie, Berra, Mantle & Merlyn; and a newspaper clipping announcing Billy Martin's engagement to Marie DeBratto.

THE BASEBALL & SIGNATURES

As previously stated, this miraculous sized horsehide sphered baseball measures some 6-1/2" in diameter with a an incredible 20+" circumference! Unique to say the least, we have never seen ANY baseball even remotely presenting the number of signatures included on this unfathomable ball. A bona-fide museum worthy masterpiece, all 53 signatures still present themselves in bold blue ink, grading between "NM/MT 8 and "Gem Mint 10". Of utmost significance, this ball represents the critical 1956 season and is a "Championship Ball" with the Yankees besting the Brooklyn Dodgers in the '56 Fall Classic. Furthermore, 1956 is the season that "The Mick" won his widely heralded Triple Crown, adding additional credence to this world-class offering. Simply stated, based on its seemingly infinite 53 autographs, it suffices as the most comprehensive signed baseball in existence, BAR NONE! Every major Yankee player from that exalted 1956 season is evident including Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Bill Dickey (coach), Casey Stengel (manager), Phil Rizzuto and Whitey Herzog (Yankee Minor Leaguer before the 1956 season and traded to Washington before the season started). Additional "notables include the legendary Billy Martin (who is responsible for this artifact), Elston Howard (2nd year), Jim Konstanty,

Tony Kubek (pre-rookie signature), Hank Bauer, "Moose" Skowron, Don Larsen (Mr. Perfect Game!), Frank Crosetti (coach), Gil McDougald, Bobby Richardson (Rookie-era signature), and so many more popular Yankees. Of the 53 scripts, 38 represent Yankee players/coaches from the 1956 season (34 players; four coaches -Stengel/Mgr., Dickey, Crosetti, J. Turner). The remaining 15 signatures are from either non-Yankee rostered MLB players or Minor Leaguers who never played MLB baseball, and were trying out for the 1956 Yankee Club. An interesting note is that the Baseball Almanac lists 38 different Yankee rostered players for the entire 1956 season of which this ball reflects an amazing 34 related scripts! Our research has revealed the four missing players to be Sonny Dixon (called up later in the year from the Minors); Andy Carey (Yankee 3rd baseman); Enos Slaughter (traded from the K.C. A's to the Yankees AFTER the start of the '56 season); and George Wilson (likewise traded to the Yankees AFTER the start of the '56 season from the N.Y. Giants). Therefore, it certainly appears that Billy Martin went the "full nine yards" for his beloved Marie, obtaining virtually every conceivable Yankee signature in March 1956 with the exception of Andy Carey.

Most would agree that this remarkable family heirloom represents one of the most momentous Yankee collectibles ever to surface for the taking. We have never come across any sized baseball (large or small) even remotely portraying 53 signatures, with all of the scripts still reflecting a majority of their original bold blue ink. The ball itself, is likewise in outstanding condition, exhibiting only some negligible toning typically associated with any 62-year old horsehide sphere.

Retained by the lovely Marie DeBratto and her family from the moment Billy Martin presented it to her in St. Petersburgh 1956, we at Memory Lane are ultra-proud to present a "once in a lifetime" opportunity for this historic ball to become the centerpiece attraction of any esteemed autograph gathering.

Along with championship teams balls from 1927 (arguably the greatest Yankee team ever with Ruth & Gehrig); 1951 (Mantle Rookie/DiMaggio Final Season – also presented in this auction) and 1961 (M&M Boys); a 1956 Yankee team signed ball stands as one of the most coveted of all Yankee Championship baseballs with Mantle's Triple Crown season paving the way for its immense desirability and value.

Considering this baseball's magnificent provenance as it relates to Billy Martin and his former fiancé Marie DeBratto as well as its unparalleled number of signatures, this "one of a kind" memento arguably stands tall as the hobby's foremost all-encompassing signed baseball which is accompanied by a full LOA from JSA and one that will lend its fortunate new owner pinnacle bragging rights for years to come!

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