(LOT 141)
Extremely Rare & the Finest Known 1927 Legendary Yankee Mascot/Batboy Eddie Bennett PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Underwood & Underwood Photo - Measures Approx. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" (Includes PSA Type 1 LOA)
Presented here is an extremely rare portrait photo of the legendary Eddie Bennett who was the ultra-popular batboy and mascot of the great Yankees teams of the 1920's and early 1930's. Born as an orphan in Flatbush Brooklyn in 1903, Bennett had a severe physical disability that at the time was defined as "hunchback", spending some time with the Chicago White Sox and Brooklyn Dodgers before he would eventually find his iconic niche with the illustrious New York Yankees from 1922 thru 1932. While Eddie Bennett didn't play professional baseball, his significant roll as both the Yankees immortal batboy and team mascot ultimately led to his incredible popularity with the fans and Yankee players. In 1922, Yankees team owner Colonel Jacob Ruppert hired the rather short 18-year old Eddie Bennett as their dedicated batboy, with Bennett eventually becoming their prestigious team mascot as well.

Considered a very successful "good luck charm", Bennett quickly became one of Babe Ruth's closest friends, playing catch with the immortal Bambino almost every day before game-time. He was known to take the team's losses awfully hard, and was often seen crying both in time of triumph and defeat. Yankee players would often rub the hump on Bennett's back for luck before they stepped to Homeplate and he also became a "confidant" for manager Miller Higgins, sitting next to him in the dugout and bringing attention to various game issues as a viable bench coach. Dubbed the "most famous mascot in the world", he sadly passed away in 1935 at the age of 31 primarily due to his excessive alcohol intake to alleviate the choric pain Bennett suffered from the car-accident related lingering injuries he sustained only four years earlier. Fortunately for Bennett, it is spectacular artifacts such as this grand offering that will forever keep his legacy alive. Arguably the finest Eddie Bennett Type 1 photo extant, it portrays this Yankee legend in a stoic portrait pose during their most memorable 1927 campaign.

Its world-class contrast and clarity "steal the show" and literally turn back the clock some 93 years to an era when this great Yankee team would turn the baseball world "upside-down" via their incomparable dominance of the American League. Measuring approximately 6-1/2" x 8-1/2", Bennett is donning his classic Yankees road uniform as you can see the "NEW YORK" embroidery affixed to the sun-glared jersey. No obtrusive flaws are evident, the bright white borders are relatively clean, and the surface has retained virtually all of its original gloss. Only some modest paper rippling is apparent along the upper and lower borders, none of which impede the breathtaking central image of the fabled Eddie Bennett. As a final exclamation point, the verso reveals the renowned Underwood & Underwood credit stamp as well as a critical detailed caption outlining details of that memorable 1927 season. Taken directly after the Yankees clinched the 1927 A.L. Pennant, this remarkable team would move on to the Fall Classic and sweep the severely overmatched Pittsburgh Pirates in four straight games. Interestingly enough, while mascot Eddie Bennett wasn't clouting home runs or toeing the pitching rubber, his unparalleled presence surely assisted the Yankees in being a "closer-knit" club, with Bennett serving as an invaluable member of that momentous New York team!

MIN BID $500
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