(LOT 85)
1939 Play Ball #92 Ted Williams Rookie PSA 7 NM
Rookie card mania continues to dominate the card hobby, with virtually all iconic Cooperstown inductees' inaugural cardboard heirlooms realizing earth-shattering pricing. One of those highly coveted rookie marvels is the iconic 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams that is presented here in an outstanding PSA Near Mint 7 holder. This world-class Williams' offering truly resides as one of the hobby's most significant rookie cards, with its illustrious stature synonymous with the "Splendid Splinter's" unparalleled hitting prowess. Regarding Ted Williams incredible legacy, it is not every time that we have the opportunity to fulfill our lifetime dream; for the great Boston Red Sox slugger ultimately achieving his relentless goal of "walking down the street with people passing him and saying there goes the greatest hitter who ever lived". Indeed, most baseball historians firmly agree that "Teddy Ballgame" is the greatest hitter of all-time, substantiated by his .344 lifetime average, 521 home runs, nearly 2,000 R.B.I.s and the 2nd highest slugging percentage ever (behind Babe Ruth), with all of these amazing achievements compiled despite the "Thumper" missing five years serving in WWII and the Korean War as an amazing fighter pilot! The last baseball player to hit .400 or better when he achieved a .406 average in his famous 1941 season, Williams accomplished all of his incredible feats in four decades (1939-1960).

Similar to Ted's sensational batting exploits are the breathtaking aesthetics of this "Mint 9" rookie card that has justifiably earned the hallowed PSA 8 assessment. This cardboard marvel reveals a brilliant black & white batting pose as Ted completes his immortal swing, depicting fine resolution and near-perfect contrast. Relatively clean borders frame the classic image that like most of these subjects, exhibits a somewhat skewed image (in this case favoring the upper right edges). The surfaces have eluded any glaring flaws, and the verso's bold black print registration is truly spectacular. Preventing a higher grade is even corner wear consistent with the assessment as well as some negligible faint soiling near the upper left edge. A bona fide testament to Ted Williams resounding legacy, it conjures up vivid memories of how this incredible 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 Williams being the best at his particular skills, both in the batter's box and battling enemy fighter air craft in two separate wars. Little did people realize back in 1939 that when a young "Kid" stepped to the plate, they were witnessing the emergence of the greatest hitter in our National Pastime's storied history, and his exalted rookie card is the perfect legacy for his unparalleled career!

MIN BID $5,000
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