(LOT 133)
Unique for the Grade 1966 Topps #365 Roger Maris PSA 10 GEM MINT – The SOLE PSA 10 Example!
"POP 1" PSA 10!!!... "Fastball hit deep to right... this could be it... way back there... Holy Cow he did it... 61 for Maris... ". Such was the iconic broadcast of legendary Yankee announcer Phil "The Scooter" Rizzuto when Roger Maris blasted Red Sox hurler Tracy Stallard's fastball into Yankee Stadium's lower deck on the last game of the 1961 season to surpass Babe Ruth's hallowed 60-homer mark. While Maris had already captured an AL MVP award the prior season in the Big Apple, it was his monumental blast that forever ensured his legacy. Most baseball historians were convinced that one of baseball's unbreakable records was the Bambino's historic 60 round-trippers, achieved in the Yankee's historic 1927 season. True, Aaron Judge's 62 homers last season eclipsed Roger's AL record, but Maris will always be renowned for being the inaugural player to best the Babe's magical 60 mark.

While Maris could hit with power, was a superb defensive outfielder with a cannon-like throwing arm, and claimed two consecutive AL MVP awards (1960 & '61), it was his 61 dingers that ultimately secured his immortality. Additionally, his excruciating pursuit of Babe's mark portrayed his amazing courage, as he painstakingly withstood the barrage of criticism by a myriad of outraged fans who rooted for his teammate Mickey Mantle to eclipse Ruth's 60-home run record. As a sheer testament for his all-time legacy, presented here just happens to be one of the finest Roger Maris cards extant, an extraordinary PSA 10 GEM MINT 1966 Topps #365 subject that proudly resides as the SOLE 10 on the illustrious PSA population report! Indeed, PSA has currently handled nearly 1,900 specimens with this pinnacle Cooperstown worthy heirloom the only #365 subject boasting the hallowed "10" assessment.

The 1966 campaign would be Roger's final year in the Bronx, with the Yankees trading Maris to the St. Louis Cardinals after the '66 season. The Topps Chewing Gum Co, chose an imposing Maris "bust" pose as their #365 subject, with Roger donning his classic Yankee home pinstripes as he reveals a sheepish grin. Absolutely breathtaking hues and crystal-clear clarity dominate the timeless pose that is extremely well-centered between four blizzard-like borders. Blistering sharp corner tips, immaculate surfaces including a glossy obverse side, and extremely bold red text boxes with yellow verbiage are the final exclamation points for a card that looks as if it was just pulled from a 1966 Topps wax pack. The undisputed best of the rest, this 57-year-old PSA 10 masterpiece defines sheer cardboard perfection, with its unique for the grade stature meriting it a final resting place in one of the finest 1966 Topps PSA Registered compilations!

MIN BID $5,000
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