This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/9/2010.
In a career that spanned 12 years, seven-time All-Star, two-time AL MVP, and Gold Glove winner Roger Maris was best known for his time with the New York Yankees. He was a fantastic all-around athlete. In 1960, Maris picked up the first of his back to back AL MVP’s when he led the league in slugging percentage, RBIs, and extra base hits, finishing just one home run behind team leader, Mickey Mantle. The next year, Maris would battle Mantle for the home run crown again, this time taking down his "M&M" counterpart in one of the most memorable baseball seasons in history. With 61 home runs in the 1961 season, Roger Maris became Major League Baseball’s single season home run champion, an honor he would hold for 37 seasons. Perhaps the Yankees described Maris’ legacy best when they retired his number 9 in 1984: “A great player and author of one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of major league baseball.” Inside the crown of the helmet is the “AMERICAN BASEBALL CAP” manufacturer’s sticker with helmet size “7 3/8”. Below that “AMERICAN BASEBALL CAP, INC.” stamp is imprinted with address. Inside the rear of the helmet is a white piece of medical tape with vintage “9 MARIS” written in bold black marker that appears to be put in at the time. “NY” interlocked logo is painted on the front of the crown in white which appears to be professionally team re-painted way back when. The helmet shows tremendous game use with remnants of dirt and pine tar along the sweat band. This extremely rare fiberglass helmet was made to look the way it does. The helmet appears to have no alterations of any kind.