(LOT 47)
1941 Play Ball #14 Ted Williams PSA 8 NM-MT
One of the hobby's highly coveted Ted Williams cardboard keepsakes is his illustrious 1941 Play Ball subject that is presented here in an outstanding PSA NM/MT 8 holder, with only 9 examples graded higher! No doubt, this world-class offering truly resides as one of "Teddy Ballgame's" most formidable baseball cards, most likely due to both the season it was issued as well as the super eye pleasing Williams' portrait pose that is a favorite among collectors. The 1941 campaign saw "The Kid" become the last MLB player to bat .400 or better, with Ted posting an unfathomable .406 average courtesy of his extraordinary 6 hits compiled in a doubleheader played on the final day of the season.

The "Splendid Splinter's" unparalleled hitting prowess has placed him as our National Pastime's arguable "greatest hitter ever", and it is not every time that we have the opportunity to fulfill our lifetime dream. For the great Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams, achieving his dream of "walking down the street with people passing me and saying there goes the greatest hitter who ever lived" did become a reality. This notion is upheld by most baseball historians, substantiated by his .344 lifetime average, 521 home runs, nearly 2,000 R.B.I.'s and the 2nd highest OPS (1.115) and OPS+ (190) figures that sit only behind the immortal Babe Ruth. All of these amazing achievements were compiled with Williams missing five years of his "prime" in WWII and the Korean War as a bona-fide fighter pilot, with Ted actually playing in an incredible four decades (1939-1960).

Similar to Ted's sensational batting exploits are the breathtaking aesthetics of this "PSA NM/MT 8" 1941 Play Ball subject that has rightfully earned the hallowed assessment. This museum worthy masterpiece provides a brilliant and colorful portrait pose of the fearsome slugger, revealing superb clarity and contrast. Snow-white borders frame the classic image that, atypically, reveals fine centering (with only a hint of favoritism towards the left edge), defying the off-center technical stigma commonly associated with this issue. A super clean surface ends at razor-sharp edges and pinpoint corners, and the verso's bold black print registration and accompanying surface are likewise virtually perfect. One of the finest looking Ted Williams 1941 Play Ball subjects extant, its "pack-fresh" nature provides eye appeal consistent with many "mint-like" examples, stubbornly defying "father time" for nearly 80 years to retain a majority of its original factory issued attributes.

A "perfect" testament to Ted Williams' unparalleled legacy, it conjures of vivid memories of how this remarkable hitter elevated himself to a pinnacle level at his gifted craft. Similar to Ruth and DiMaggio, Ted Williams will forever be categorized as an American hero, solidified by "The Kid" being the best at his particular skills, both in the batter's box and battling enemy fighter air craft to defend a grateful Nation. Williams' 1941 campaign resulted in an amazing .406 batting average that will forever stand as one of our National Pastime's greatest achievements, solidifying the notion the "Thumper" truly resides as baseball's finest all-time hitter, with this iconic offering truly worthy of an esteemed place in any world-class compilation!

MIN BID $3,500
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