Michael Jordan & Summer Premium Auction Closing July 18 10PM Eastern
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2020
The late Gene “Stick” Michael had a modest playing career that spanned from 1966 to 1975 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. Michael’s last days of a player were with the Boston Red Sox in 1976, but was never used and released in May of that season. Upon retiring as a player, Michael joined the New York Yankees coaching staff, where he especially excelled as a scout. Reggie Jackson gave credit to Michael’s scouting reports that enabled him to belt three home runs against the Dodgers in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series. Michael would serve as manager of the Yankees from 1981-82 and as general manager from 1980-81 and 1991-1995 where he was responsible for the drafting of and signings of players like Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada that formed the famed “Core Four” group that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five seasons.
Offered here is a 20 x 36-inch framed black and white team photograph from the 1961 World Champion New York Yankees. This black and white photograph is the formal team photo of the players in full uniform and this photo hung at the old Yankee Stadium. According to the family, the photos hung in Steinbrenner’s office and the front office in the first Yankee stadium. They also hung in Gene’s restaurant and he was adamant about taking these from the stadium before they tore it down. The 1961 New York Yankees were widely considered one of the best teams of all time and were highlighted by the single season home run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Maris would pass Ruth for the single-season home run record on the last day of the season and the Yankees captured the World Series title, thumping the Cincinnati Reds in five games of the Fall Classic. This photo has a silver plate that has etched “1961 WORLD CHAMPIONS” is below the team photo. Please note that there is paint chipping on the wood frame and mounting holes on each side. This photograph comes directly from the personal collection of the late Gene Michael.