(LOT 699)
1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays PSA 4 VG-EX
1952 WILLIE!!! In 1951, New York Giants manager Leo Durocher found his diamond in the rough. With his keen eye for talent, Durocher saw far beyond management when he first caught a glimpse of Willie Mays in action as a 20-year-old. He once stated, "If someone came up and hit .450, stole 100 bases, and performed a miracle in the field every day, I'd still (say) Willie Mays was better." Mays lacked the confidence to join the big-league club, but after some goading from the wily manager, asking him to just hit .250, Mays agreed and the rest is history. Mays won the NL Rookie of the Year in 1951, then the NL MVP in '54 to lead the Giants to the World Series title, and captured Gold Glove after Gold Glove for a total of 12. He became everything Durocher knew he could be and far more. Willie Mays would complete his 23-year career with 3,293 hits, including 660 home runs, drove in 1,909 runs and finish with a lifetime .301 batting average. He's tied for the most All-Star appearances with 24, won a 2nd NL MVP in 1965 at the age of 34 and in 1979 he was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The offered 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays graded 4 VG-EX by PSA is one of Mays' most coveted cards. Superb framing around this colorful gem. Great color and surfaces on marvel in subject and allure.
MIN BID $2,000
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