(LOT 250)
1951 Postmarked Handwritten Letter from Rookie New York Yankee Mickey Mantle to Merlyn, His Future Wife PSA LOAs for both Letter and Envelope
On October 20, 1931, Mickey Charles Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. Little did anyone know, including his parents, that this boy would grow up to become a hero to countless fans and a legendary figure in baseball. His name would be synonymous with sports, appearing in films, television shows, and dinner table conversations for generations. As Mantle dedicated himself to baseball, he began his professional career with the semi-professional Baxter Springs Whiz Kids in Kansas. In 1948, at just 17 years old, Yankees scout Tom Greenwade came to watch Mantle's teammate, third baseman Willard "Billy" Johnson. During the game, Mantle hit three home runs, catching Greenwade's eye. The following year, after graduating high school, Mantle signed a minor league contract with the Yankees, earning $140 per month and a $1,500 signing bonus.

Mantle was assigned to the Yankees' Class-D Independence Yankees in the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League, where he played shortstop and batted .313. He hit his first professional home run on June 30, 1949, at Shulthis Stadium in Independence, Kansas, sending the ball over the impressive 460-foot center field fence. In 1950, he was promoted to the Class-C Joplin Miners of the Western Association, where he won the batting title with a .383 average, 26 home runs, and 136 RBIs, though he struggled defensively. In July 1950, Mantle was drafted for military service but was rejected due to a physical condition in his left leg, receiving a 4-F deferment. He was later invited to the Yankees' instructional camp before the 1951 season, where he made a strong impression during spring training. It was at this time that he wrote a heartfelt letter to his girlfriend, Merlyn, expressing his deep love for her. Memory Lane is thrilled to offer this four-page letter, penned just 35 days before Mantle's major league debut. On March 12, 1951, on Biltmore Hotel letterhead, Mantle wrote: "Hello Honey, How are you getting along at the bank? I want to tell you I love you so many times—when I start writing a letter I always say to myself, 'I won't tell her I love her until about the middle of the letter.'

But after I finish and read it over, it's always all the way through. I do love you too. Honey, I wish you were here with me so I could just reach over and kiss you. Yesterday, about nine of us went through MGM and 20th Century Fox Studios. We met a whole bunch of movie stars, including Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly, Jane Greer, Betty Grable, Debbie Reynolds, and more. Out of all the girls I saw, none were as pretty as you. I miss you so much—I think about you all day and dream about you all night. One night, I dreamt you got mad at me and we broke up. I woke up to make sure it wasn't real. I wish we were married right now and that you were here with me. How are your mother, dad, and Pat? Tell them hello and thanks to your mother for writing. I'll write her back when we get to Phoenix. Tomorrow we play the Hollywood Stars again, then we go to Sacramento, San Francisco, and back to Phoenix on the 26th. I'll call you on the 27th—I hope you'll be at home. Well, I'll close now. I love you with all my heart—I'll always love you. Mickey." This touching letter beautifully captures Mantle's enduring love for Merlyn, whom he married on December 23, 1951.

As his career soared, one notable highlight came during a spring training tour when he hit two home runs at Bovard Field against the USC Trojans—both homers, one from each side of the plate, reportedly traveled at least 500 feet. Impressed by the young slugger's power, Yankees manager Casey Stengel promoted Mantle to the majors as a right fielder instead of sending him back to the minors, with a salary of $7,500 for the 1951 season. Assigned uniform #6, Mantle was expected to follow in the footsteps of Yankees legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio. After a brief slump, he was sent down to the Kansas City Blues. Mantle made his MLB debut on April 17, 1951, but following an injury, he moved from #6 to the iconic #7. The rest is history: Mantle became a 20-time All-Star, seven-time World Series Champion, three-time AL MVP, Triple Crown winner, Gold Glove winner, and a member of the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. This handwritten letter is a poignant testament to his love for Merlyn and his extraordinary journey in baseball. Also included is the envelope postmarked March 12, 1951, signed "Mick Mantle" above "The Biltmore Hotel." The letter comes with a PSA/DNA LOA, and the envelope is encapsulated by PSA.

MIN BID $1,500
_