Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
The 1949 New York Yankees, anchored by Hall of Famers such as Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto and Yogi Berra, won the franchise’s 12th World Series in five games over the Brooklyn Dodgers. The 1949 team started a run of five straight World Series championships for the Bronx Bombers. This remarkable baseball features the signatures of 27 greats from that special 1949 Yankees team, headlined by DiMaggio, who penned his signature on the sweet spot. Rizzuto’s signature also graces the ball, as does that of Frank Crosetti, who was part of a record 17 World Championship as a player and coach for the organization. Other notable signatures include: John Lindell, Allie Reynolds, Tommy Byrne, Jim Turner, George Stirnweiss, Bobby Brown, Tommy Henrich, Gene Woodling, Hank Bauer, Eddie Lopat, Fred Sanford, Cliff Mapes, Joe Page, Charlie Keller, Charlie Silvera, Jack Phillips, Bill Johnson, Frank “Spec” Shea, Gus Niarhos, Dick Kryhoski, Vic Raschi and Clarence Marshall. It is of PSA/DNA’s opinion that two other signatures on the baseball, Yogi Berra and Jerry Coleman, are clubhouse versions. PSA/DNA gives the baseball an overall grade of 5.5, with the signatures scoring a 7 and the baseball a 4. The baseball has taken on a yellowish color and many of its original manufacturing markings are faded. The signatures, however, are for the most part very strong. The signed baseball comes with a PSA/DNA LOA and certification number “T01854.”