Lot # 190: c.1969 Thurman Munson “Rookie” PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Photo – Measures Approx. 8” x 10”

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "20th Anniversary Auction",
which ran from 9/18/2020 4:30 PM to
10/10/2020 7:00 PM




(LOT 190)
c.1969 Thurman Munson "Rookie" PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Photo – Measures Approx. 8" x 10"

This outstanding PSA Type 1 photo portrays the legendary Thurman Munson during his 1969 rookie campaign. Similar to Lou Gehrig and Roberto Clemente, Munson's stellar MLB career would end in sudden tragedy when on August 2, 1979, his Cessna Citation aircraft would crash short of the runway at Akron–Canton Airport, ultimately claiming the life of the star catcher at the tender age of 32. Munson's #15 was immediately retired, with the Yankee Captain abruptly ending his 11-year career with a formidable .292 average and .792 OPS, as well as winning the American League's 1970 Rookie of the Year (ROY) and 1976 MVP awards. Similar to virtually any star player, his most coveted artifacts are rookie campaign keepsakes, and this outstanding c.1969 photo of the star catcher leaning on the batting cage backstop certainly stands as one of his rarest rookie-era illustrations. While his first Yankee season would be 1969, Munson only gathered 97 plate appearances, leaving Thurman to qualify for ROY honors in 1970. He would certainly take advantage of that qualifier, batting .302 in 1970 (w/526 plate appearances) and tallying a solid .801 OPS.

More significantly, however, he would display both the leadership and defensive qualities so desperately required by any MLB catcher, resulting in his eventual nomination as Yankee Captain, the first since Lou Gehrig. In addition to his 7 All-Star Game appearances, he stands as one of only three catchers to ever win Rookie of the Year (1970), Most Valuable Player (1976), a World Series Title (1977, '78) and three Gold Gloves (along with Johnny Bench and Buster Posey). As a fitting testament for his prestigious legacy, this breathtaking 8" x 10" offering reflects Munson in a stoic pose during his 1969 rookie season, glaring ahead into an unknown future that would ultimately place him as one of the most beloved all-time Yankees. The well-centered image exhibits the finest possible crystal-clear clarity and near-perfect contrast, with the brilliant surface only revealing a light wrinkle near the upper left corner. A significantly scarce Munson heirloom, it conjures up vivid memories of how this 22-year old backstop broke into the Major Leagues in 1969 to become one of the Yankees four finest catchers ever along with Hall of Famers Berra and Dickey, as well as popular "Core Four" member Jorge Posada!

MIN BID $300
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