(LOT 39)
1953 Mickey Mantle Player Contract - Fully Executed - LOA
"Major League Baseball/New York Yankees Contract for the 1953 Season". The frugal Yankees of the 50's were notorious for only offering one year contracts. Mantle's '52 season was stellar as a first year all-star, hitting .311 and 23 home runs, but you'd never know it by the contract George Weiss (general manager) offered him in February of 1953 for $17,500. Seems like a cup of coffee compared to today's mega hundreds of millions of dollars multi-year extravaganza! But the 50's era did not allow free agency. There was little player movement other than trades. The Yankees, as the big dog in the house, were noted for keeping their stars for entire careers and Mantle was no exception. 1953 was the pinnacle of achievement for the Yankee's franchise. Defeating Brooklyn once again in the Fall Classic, no team in baseball history has ever won world's championships for five consecutive seasons.

Mantle's 1953 season was unremarkable when viewed in light of his entire career stats. He only played in 127 games, but still hit .295 with 21 home runs. But Mantle's two home runs in the '53 World Series certainly helped secure their fifth consecutive championship. His game 2 home run was a game winner and his game 5 grand slam was enough to force a game 6. The offered contract is of the most desirable variety, fully executed and signed boldly with absolute "10" signature of "Micky Mantle", general manager "George M. Weiss" and American League President "Will Harridge". Dated February 23,1953. Weiss must have pinched himself when he got this signed baby back in the mail, knowing that 1953 was going to be a very good year. Minor handling wear but historic appeal beyond any blemishes. One of the first Mantle items ever seen and far rarer than any of his stratospheric baseball cards.

MIN BID $9,000
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