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View Full Version : Mantle '54 at $112k



Eric
05-10-2006, 08:30 PM
Grey Flannel ends tonight. The following jersey is well into 6 figures!!

http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/lotimages/154_a.jpg

1954 Mickey Mantle New York Yankees Game-Used & Autographed Home Pinstripe Flannel Jersey (JSA)
Lot # 4

Mantle was a multi-talented offensive threat, driving in runs with enormous power from both sides of the plate. When he arrived in New York he played alongside the soon-to-retire Joe DiMaggio. After Joe retired, Mantle took over in centerfield and played the position from 1952 to 1966. In 1956, "The Mick" emerged as a superstar, becoming the greatest switch-hitter in the history of baseball and one of its biggest drawing cards. He hit .353 that year with 52 home runs and 130 RBI to win the Triple Crown. It was also the first of three straight years that he would lead the league in runs scored, beginning with 132 in 1956. Mantle capped the year with three homers in the World Series, including one in Don Larsen's perfect game in which he also made a great defensive play to keep the perfect game intact. Mantle was the first power-hitting switch-hitter, and although he was always a better hitter from the right side he was more than capable from the left, hitting 373 of his 536 career homers from that side of the plate. Mantle played on 12 pennant winners and seven World Championship clubs, and holds World Series records for home runs (18), RBIs (40), runs scored (42), walks (43), extra-base hits (26), and total bases (123). In his final World Series in 1964 he had three homers and eight RBIs while batting .333. Mantle was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974 in his first year of eligibility. On the front left tail of this jersey is the "Tim McAuliffe" manufacturer's tag. Adjacent to that is an additional tag with the jersey size "44" on it and another tag that reads "Dry Clean Only." Below those tags is "Mantle '54" embroidered directly on the jersey in red. On the left breast is the "NY" logo. On the back is the player number "7." All lettering and numbering is done in blue felt. There is an autograph in black maker rating a 7 on the front of the jersey. This is a very rare example of a 100% original Mickey Mantle flannel. Shown is a photo of Mickey Mantle in the 1953 World Series wearing a "McAuliffe" jersey, which you can tell by the font of the "7" on his back. There are theories by experts that the Yankees wore jerseys with red stitched names only during the World Series. The jersey shows moderate (but definite) game-use and there appear to be no alterations of any kind. While there is no definitive proof, this piece of American history does show wear from a couple of games, and with the red stitching and photos of Mantle wearing a McAuliffe home jersey in the 1953 World Series. We have seen some photos of Yankees wearing "McAuliffe" jerseys at home in the 1954 season. Accompanied by a LOA from James Spence Authentication