1961 has gone down as one of the greatest seasons in New York Yankees history. That summer all eyes were on the Bronx Bombers as their two great sluggers, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, battled for the game’s Holy Grail – Babe Ruth’s single season home run record of 60. But the home run title wasn’t the only thing happening in the Bronx that year – the team was entering a new era, one without their leader as Casey Stengel was fired after winning 10 pennants and 8 World Championships. New skipper Ralph Houk successfully re-energized the club after their devastating Game 7 loss to the Pirates in the 1960 World Series.

Led by pitchers Whitey Ford and Ralph Terry who went 25-4 and 16-3 respectively, the Yanks reeled off win after win in pursuit of another pennant. Meanwhile Mantle and Maris went home run-for-home run as they chased the ghost of the Babe. For a while it looked like Mantle may be the chosen one, but as the summer wore on the Mick’s lifetime of injuries and excess took their toll. Maris continued, each home run that brought him closer to the record also brought criticism and booing from hostile crowds. With Mantle out for the season, the heavy lifting was left to Maris. The reluctant hero trudged forward, leading the Yanks to an early clinch of the pennant and finally surpassing Ruth’s hallowed record on the final day of the season. The Yankees met Cincinnati in the World Series and riding on the momentum from their 109-win season, they easily beat the Reds in four straight games.

That 1961 team has gone down as one of the finest group of players to ever don the Yankees pinstripes. This extraordinary Roger Maris 1961 gamer has been signed by eight members of that historic Yankees team including Roger Maris, Bud Daley, Tex Clevenger, Joe DeMaestri, Johnny Blanchard, Moose Skowron, Tony Kubek and Bob Turley. Also present on this outstanding bat is the signature of Maris’ homerun rival, Mickey Mantle. The Mick’s signature is lighter than the others and is on a part of the barrel that has had the finish removed (and his signature has not been verified by PSA in their LOA). Maris’ 1961 Hillerich & Bradsby O16 model bat shows outstanding use with a secured handle crack. Many ball marks with stitch impressions cover the left, right and back barrel and cleat imprints are visible on the back barrel. The model number “O16” is stamped into the knob and “Roger” has been handwritten in black marker. Though Maris was known to custom-mark the knobs of his bats with “Maris,” “9,” or “RM,” this is the first gamer that PSA/DNA has graded on which the Home Run Champ marked with his first name. The bat has been given a coat of urethane to protect the signatures. A unique gamer used by Roger Maris during his record-breaking season and signed by several key members of the 1961 World Champs. The bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B17014) for the game use and has been graded a near-perfect GU 9, plus a LOA from PSA/DNA (AF06933) for the eight signatures. Additionally, this lot includes an 8 x 10-inch black and white photograph of Roger Maris holding this style bat.

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