Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
Offered is perhaps the single greatest New York Yankee Team photo of all time. It is an outtake photo from their 1980 team photo session. The 1980 New York Yankees were a year removed from the tragic death of their leader Thurman Munson. Each player is wearing the Munson black armband, but likely taken after their “official” photo, this outtake image features many of the Yankees engaged in hijinks with their teammates and the photographer. Most players are shown with tilted hats, laughing and partaking in pushing one another around. Keys to this image are Rick Cerone “mooning” the camera with Reggie Jackson’s face between Cerone’s legs “flipping the bird” to the camera. Another camera bird flipper is Luis Tiant, while two players to his right is bullpen coach Mickey Scott giving his best masquerade hand mask impression. In the top row is Tommy John with arms around two teammates, one being Ron Guidry who is up high on his knees. Next to him is Goose Gossage giving himself a choke hold, while Ron Davis is choking “The Chicken” Fred Stanley. Bobby Murcer is getting his hat messed up along the second row far left, and longtime equipment manager Pete Sheehy is laughing hard along the right side. Even Yogi Berra is enjoying the fun in the front row. The only person who IS NOT enjoying the moment is Lou Piniella, middle row second from right who has a serious stone-faced look. This tremendous image has a viewing size of 13-3/8” x 19-1/8”, and is matted and framed to a dimension to 20” x 25-7/8”. One of the greatest Yankee team photos ever, and the first time we have seen this particular image.