This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/26/2016.
If he’s not the best catcher of all-time, he’s certainly the winningest catcher in the history of baseball. Yogi Berra is a 13-time World Series champion as a player, manager and coach. Berra is one of only five players to win the American League MVP three times and is an 18-time All-Star. Berra was named to the MLB’s All-Century Team and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Berra’s No. 8 is retired by the New York Yankees franchise. This 1950s catcher’s mask has model number “1514” and “YOGI BERRA” stamped adjacent onto the leather strap. Where the fasteners attach to the leather strap, there is a unaffixed, ripped “SPALDING” manufacturer’s tag but just enough of the tag remaining to determine that it is indeed, Spalding. This style mask was available via retail channels and there is little to no diffrence between the pro and store models. Below the leather cushion on the inside frame of the mask (left side) is a Steiner Sports hologram sticker. On the front of the mask, the top has indecipherable writing in black marker. Berra signed the chin protector in silver pen and in our opinion, rates a 6 overall. This catcher’s mask is properly tagged and stamped, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows appropriate use. Accompanied by a full JSA LOA and a JT Sports LOA.