It’s tough to imagine it, but the great Mickey Mantle was sent back to the minors during his 1951 rookie season. After a tremendous spring training, Mantle began the season as the Yankees starting right fielder. Wearing number 6 on his back, the kid the press proclaimed the heir to DiMaggio’s outfielder spot began well, but soon fell into a slump. On top of that, fans soon started calling him a draft dodger because he was declared 4-F by his draft board due to an old injury. The draft board bowed to public pressure and re-opened his case. Insecurities about his future and a high strikeout ratio got him demoted to Kansas City in July. There, his slump continued, and he began to think about quitting. A tough love pep talk from his father set him straight and he began hitting the ball at a .400 clip. Mantle was recalled on August 20. Within days the draft board upheld his 4-F status, and he was given a new number – 7. Mantle would go on to become one of the most beloved players in baseball history, and one who not many knew was at one time demoted to the minors.
This extraordinary photo and the only known photo from that day records this important period in Mickey Mantle’s career. Not only does it show Mick upon his recall to the Yankees, but it is the very first to show him with the number he would make famous – number 7. To make this photo even more unique, it is the original Acme Newspictures print to which the wire service caption was hand-affixed and then reproduced to be distributed. The photo resides as the only true and known Type 1 photo. A historic 1/1 Type 1. The photo shows perfect contrast and crystal clarity and no evidence of any glaring flaws with very slight edge wear. The 7 1/8 x 9” photo has been encapsulated by PSA and graded a Type 1 Authentic.