In 1951, the New York Giants and New York Yankees met in a climactic World Series, with the two teams facing off after the Giants thrilling victory in a three-game playoff with the Brooklyn Dodgers to decide the National League pennant. This was the final World Series for Joe DiMaggio, although both Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays made their World Series debuts as rookies in 1951. Unfortunately for the Giants, they could not capitalize on their momentum from the three-game playoff, and the Yankees triumphed in a six-game World Series, their third of five consecutive World Series titles.

This Official American League Gene A. Budig baseball was signed at a reunion of the Giants and Yankees players from the 1951 team. Hall of Fame shortstop Phil Rizzuto has signed the sweet spot, inscribing “1951 WS MVP” beneath his signature. Rizzuto was awarded the 1951 Babe Ruth Award from the BBWAA for excellence in the World Series, with the official, MLB-sanctioned World Series MVP trophy being introduced in 1955. Other signatures on this ball include the Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Monte Irvin, and Yogi Berra, while the remaining signatures belong to players such as Bobby Thomson, Al Dark, Herman Franks, Don Mueller, George Spencer, Sal Yvars, Art Schallock, Ralph Houk, and several more. The signatures, some of which are slightly faded but still readable, have been written in black pen. This item, a limited edition 23 of 23, comes with a COA from Steiner Sports. 

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