This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/12/2012.
So often in this hobby, we hear tremendous stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is a nice change of pace when one of them actually turns out to be true, especially when it concerns the earliest known Mickey Mantle autographed game-used bat! Jim Brideweser and rookie Mickey Mantle were teammates in 1951 for two games, the 152nd and 153rd games of the year which took place of September 29th and was a victorious double header at home against the Boston Red Sox. As told to us by our consignor, the Fleischer family of Merrick, NY, “My grandparents went to a game at Yankee Stadium. During a Mantle at bat, the bat broke and the barrel came flying into the stands. My grandfather caught the barrel end. After the game, the bat boy tracked down my grandparents and said Mr. Mantle would like to apologize and sign the bat for you. They gave him the bat, he returned with both ends and the bat signed by Mickey. The bat has been cared for and cherished by the family ever since”. Upon inspecting the signature, Jimmy Spence of JSA was able to pinpoint the signature dating to a 1951 vintage Mantle sig. John Taube of PSA/DNA was able to date the bat to 1951 as well. It was common for players to use other players bats, especially as a rookie. Manuf: H&B. Model: Jim Brideweser M110. Length: 34.5. Weight: 34.9. Year:1951. Wood: Ash. Condition: Cracked at the handle and taped back together. There are ball/hit marks present on the right, left and back barrel. There are blue bat rack streaks on the front, left and back barrel. There are cleat marks on the left barrel. There is a moderate coat of pine tar on the handle under the tape. Overall: Excellent Game-Use. Mickey signed the right barrel in a vintage, 1951 signature in black ink rating a 9. There has been a clear coat added to preserve the signature. Accompanied by a LOA from PSA/DNA as well as a LOA from JSA and letter of provenance from our consignor.