(LOT 91)
Amazing 1954 Hank Aaron Rookie Year Image Wearing #5 - PSA Type 1 Original Photo - Measures Approx. 8" x 10" - PSA Type 1 LOA
"He's sitting on 714 ... Here's the pitch by Downing ... Swinging ... There's a drive into left-centerfield ...That ball is going to be out of here ... It's Gone ... It's 715 ... There's a new home-run champion of all-time and its Henry Aaron!" Such was the iconic call of Henry Aaron's historic 715th home run by Braves legendary announcer, the late Milo Hamilton. On April 8th 1974 at Fulton County Stadium, Aaron stepped into the batter's box in the bottom of the 4th inning against the Dodger's hard-throwing southpaw Al Downing. After taking ball one in the dirt, Aaron crushed Downing's next fastball into the bullpen as Dodgers outfielder Bill Buckner helplessly watched the ball sail over the left-centerfield fence.

The unthinkable had happened with Aaron finally surpassing Babe Ruth's magical 714-mark! Twenty years before that magic moment took place, Aaron was displaying his skills in his 1954 Rookie season the Milwaukee Braves with the 20-year old slugger smacking 13 home runs in his inaugural Major League season. Who would have ever thought "Hammerin Hank" would go on to blast another 742 round-trippers, with the iconic Cooperstown inductee ending his career with 755 homers! As a testament to that fabled 1954 rookie campaign, presented here is a breathtaking 8" x 10" original PSA Type 1 photo portraying Aaron in a classic swinging pose. More significantly, the #5 is clearly affixed to Aaron's jersey; the number he wore his entire rookie season before switching to his legendary #44 for the remainder of his revered career.

The borderless and crystal-clear illustration shows no glaring flaws, whatsoever, as Aaron completes his hallowed swing in what appears to be a spring training site. Interestingly enough, Aaron was not originally designated to be a starting player for the start of the 1954 season. However, fortunately for this young rising star, an injury to starting outfielder Bobby Thompson paved the way for Aaron to earn an immediate starting nod that would eventually lead to his unparalleled stature. A remarkable heirloom, this extremely momentous ROOKIE YEAR masterpiece portrays the youthful Aaron long before he would turn the baseball world "upside down" by surpassing the "Sultan of Swat's" 714-homer mark! – Full PSA Type 1 LOA

MIN BID $300
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