1961 is a historic year in baseball and Yankee history. The summer of 1961 saw one of the most exciting home run races in baseball history, as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris waged a double-barreled assault on Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record. Mantle would go down with a hip injury late in the season, while Maris hit his 61st home run on the final day of the season to break Ruth’s longstanding record of 60. The Yanks would go on to win the AL Pennant, their 26th, before defeating the Cincinnati Reds in five games to capture their 19th World Series title. The 1961 Yankees are now considered one of the greatest teams of all-time.

27 members of that historic team have signed this Official American League Joseph E. Cronin stamped baseball. Hall of Famers Yogi Berra signed his name in blue pen across the sweet spot, along with a clubhouse signature of Mickey Mantle. Other signatures include Roger Maris, Frank Crosetti, Ralph Terry, Bill Gardner, Roland Sheldon, Tony Kubek, Elston Howard, Al Downing, Bill Stafford, Tex Clevenger, Clete Boyer, Earl Torgeson, Johnny Blanchard, Hector Lopez, Jim Coates, Tom Tresh, Bud Daley and others. All of the signatures have been signed in blue pen and the ball is in good condition. This baseball comes from the collection of the late Gene Autry and a signed LOA from his widow Jacqueline Autry will accompany this ball. In addition, a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication also is included.

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