Summer Live and Premium 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/2/2018
1955 marked Yogi Berra’s 10th year in the Major Leagues. In that decade, the Yankees catcher had been an integral part of six World Championships and was voted the American League MVP an incredible two times. His leadership behind the plate gave the Yankees the edge when it came to getting the most out of their pitchers, and his famous malapropisms kept the team loose during tight pennant runs.
This Uniform Player’s Contract locks down Yogi to another season with the Yankees. For the 1955 season, which turned out to be his third MVP season, Berra would draw a salary of $50,000, a tremendous amount at the time and monetary proof of his value to the Yankees organization. Berra has signed this contract in flawless black pen using his full name “Lawrence P. Berra”. The contract has been counter-signed by the Yankees by George M. Weiss and dated “3rd” day of November, 195 “4” in black ballpoint. Since the contract has been signed on the interior of the 4-page document, they have been perfectly preserved from the elements and look as fresh as they did back in 1954. The exterior pages of the contract show some edge wear and toning from age, and there are staple holes in the top left corner. A great example of Yogi Berra’s given name signature, this contract comes with a full LOA from Steiner Sports stating that this item was obtained directly from the Yogi Berra Estate Collection.