(LOT 117)
"Yogi was Right All Along – Jackie Was Out!" - Iconic 1955 Jackie Robinson "Steals Home" in Game#1 of the 1955 World Series Oversized Type 1 Daily News Photo - Measures Approx. 10-3/8" x 13-1/2" – Full PSA Type 1 LOA
Till the day he passed away, immortal New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra always insisted that Jackie Robinson was out when he stole home in game#1 of the 1955 World Series. On September 28, 1955, the Dodgers would face-off against their arch-rival New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium to open the 1955 Fall Classic. With Brooklyn trailing 6-4 in the top of the 8th inning, Jackie Robinson would "take-off" from third base in a daring attempt to steal home plate. Yogi Berra caught Whitey Ford's pitch and reached forward to tag Jackie Robinson in a "bang-bang" play at home plate. Renowned home plate umpire Bill Summers never appeared to get a "clean view" of the play and still semi-crouching in his original position behind Berra, called Jackie safe! At that juncture, Yogi Berra vehemently argued with Summers to no avail, with that run cutting Brooklyn's deficit to 6-5 (the Dodgers would ultimately lose the game by that same 6-5 score).

Until his tragic passing some 5 years ago at the age of 90, Yogi Berra swore that he tagged out Robinson before he touched home plate, insisting that Summers "blew the call" and stating "you watch the video and decide for yourself." Unfortunately, 65 years ago, MLB did not resort to reviewing plays via slow motion video as they do today. Had they utilized that feature, it is very likely the call would have been REVERSED and Jackie would have been called out. We can confidently make that assessment due to the extraordinary offering presented here; an oversized 10-3/8" x 13-1/2" PSA Type 1 photo of the stop-action moment when Berra had the ball in his glove on Robinson's foot, several inches before Jackie's foot touched home plate! Considered one of the most legendary and controversial plays in World Series history, this image is a miraculous keepsake defining that classic moment, with its ultra-rare oversized perimeter and crystal-clear clarity placing it as a Cooperstown worthy memento.

The Daily News Photo includes all four of the key individuals including pinch-hitter Frank Kellert (who eventually singled after the steal), umpire Bill Summers and of course Berra and Robinson. Once again, we draw your attention to the position of Yogi's glove resting on Jackie's right cleat that is clearly several inches short of home plate. Indeed, this is a remarkable "stop-action" picture, frozen in time over the past 65 years that visibly documents Berra's accurate assessment of the play. While a vast number of light wrinkles are scattered throughout the photo, none of them negate the brilliant aesthetics of this seemingly timeless heirloom. For full disclosure, the missing bottom border is due to a slight manual trim, and the verso reveals a Daily Newspaper clipping that states the obvious: "Yankee catcher Yogi Berra appears to be waiting for Dodgers' Jackie Robinson to slide into an out on Robby's attempt to steal home in Series opener".

Foto would indicate Jack's out but ump Summers, whose vantage point could be better, called him safe. Kellert's the batter. See back page for sequence fotos on this play." Need we say more for this September 29, 1955 stamped news clipping is calling it as it sees it – Jackie was clearly out - with this world class image substantiating the old cliché "a picture is worth a thousand words." Whether Robinson was safe or out, however, is not the significant issue here. Of utmost importance is the sheer existence of an oversized Type 1 image depicting one of the most legendary plays in World Series history, at the precise moment when Berra was tagging Robinson's foot directly before it reached home plate. An incomparable portrayal of this iconic event, it stands as one of the most epic occurrences in World Series history, with its revered stature exponentially increased by Jackie Robinson's unparalleled presence. As most historians would attest, Robinson's legacy extends far beyond baseball for his unbridled bravery ultimately supported the justified notion that "all men are created equal", with that concept truly serving as a profound testament for the unequivocal foundation America was soundly built upon!

MIN BID $1,000
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