Mickey Mantle's professional debut would take place in 1949 with the Independence Yankees, a class D club in the K-O-M League managed by ex-Major Leaguer Harry Craft. Mantle, 17-years-old and just recently graduated from high school, would be the team's regular short stop that summer. Although he would hit well enough, finishing the year with a .313 average, it was becoming apparent that the fleet footed switch hitter was not going to develop into a top flight infielder, as evidenced by his 47 errors in just 89 games. Mantle would be promoted to Joplin, a class C club, the following year, where he would continue to hit well and field poorly, eventually joining the Yankees as an outfielder in 1950. The rest, as they say, is history.

Presented is a spectacular 1949 Independence Yankees team signed photo. The 8” x 10” image is signed by all sixteen subjects including Mickey Mantle in blue fountain pen ink. Notated on verso is, “Independence, Kansas ‘Yankees’ 1949." Signatures average 7-8/10 with the exception of manager Harry Craft which has faded substantially. The photo itself has superb image quality in spite of a few scattered wrinkles. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.