The 1953 World Series was a re-match of the 1952 Fall Classic between cross-town rivals the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yankees came into the series as four-time defending champions and like the ’52 Series, Yankees second baseman Billy Martin broke the hearts of the Dodgers and their faithful with a bottom of the ninth inning walk-off hit in Game 6 to clinch the World Series title. It was the fifth straight triumph for the Bombers, a record that still stands today.

     Offered is this Official American League William Harridge baseball that has been signed by 10 members of the Yankees and Dodgers and William Harridge himself for a total of 11 signatures. This ball was used during Game 1 of the series and Harridge’s signature has been signed in bold blue pen across the sweet spot, with the signature of Jackie Robinson on the south panel below Harridge’s sweet sport scribe. Also on the south panel is the signature of Yankees outfielder Irv Noren. The north panel has the blue ink signatures of Hall of Famer Johnny Mize, Tom Gorman, Joe Collins and Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle. The east panel has the signatures of Gil McDougald, Jim McDonald and Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in blue ink, with the west panel having the lone signature of former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey.

     Inscribed on the opposite sweet spot is “WORLD SERIES YANKEES VS DODGERS SEPT 30. 1953” which was the date of Game 1 of the Yankees’ 9-5 victory at Yankee Stadium and most likely marked after the game. The displays toning due to age and the stampings are faded. The ball displays evidence of game use and the signatures are clear. This historic game used and signed baseball comes with a LOA from Mears for the game use and a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication for the signatures.

Auction Notepad