The 1951 Yankees, under Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel, finished the regular season with a record of 98-56 to win the American League pennant before dispatching the New York Giants in six games in the Fall Classic. It marked the third straight World Series title and 14th overall for the Bronx Bombers. Presented here is a lovely team-signed Official American League (Harridge) baseball from that championship season in which The Mick made his big-league debut and Joltin' Joe decided to hang 'em up. The ball originally came from Stengel’s personal collection.

The creamy white ball comes in incredible shape with just the slightest bit of toning on a couple panels, holding 27 clean signatures in blue fountain ink ranging 7-9 in strength and eye appeal. The highlight is, of course, 20-year-old Mickey Mantle on the south panel whose autograph beams in near immaculate 9/10 form. In our company history, we cannot remember seeing such a beautiful example of the Oklahoma Kid’s rookie signature. Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Casey Stengel (signed twice), Johnny Mize and Phil Rizzuto (sweet spot) are also present. Other notables are Ralph Houk, Allie Reynolds, Charlie Silvera, Joe Collins, Tom Morgan, Kal Segrist, Hank Bauer, Bob Kuzava, Tom Gorman, Irv Noren, Jim Brideweser, Jim McDonald, Billy Martin (rookie), Bill Miller, Bobby Hogue, Vic Raschi (SS), Joe Ostrowski, Gene Woodling, Gil McDougald, Johnny Sain and Ed Lopat.

The ball is notated “1951 World Champs” in an unknown hand adjacent to the sweet spot. Since DiMaggio is missing and guys like Segrist, Gorman, Noren, McDonald and Miller are included, this ball was likely signed at Spring Training in 1952. The ball has been authenticated and graded NM+ 7.5 by PSA/DNA (7 for the ball, 8 for the autos.) and comes in a PSA ball cube with 'Stengel Collection" pedigree. We have requested a printed LOA from PSA/DNA to accompany this ball for the winning bidder.