Mickey Mantle Milestone Baseball – A Unique Piece of Baseball History
At DJR Authentication, we recently had the honor of appraising and authenticating a remarkable piece of baseball history—a Mickey Mantle career milestone baseball signed and inscribed by ten opposing pitchers. This rare, one-of-a-kind item captures some of the most iconic moments from Mantle’s legendary career.
Key Features of the Baseball:
Signatures and Inscriptions: The baseball is an Official MLB (Bud Selig) baseball with signatures and inscriptions from ten opposing pitchers who gave up some of Mantle’s most significant hits, including his 16th World Series home run, his first career hit, and his legendary 500th home run.
Condition: The signatures are bold and clear, earning a grade of 9/10 for clarity. The inscriptions add significant historical value, transforming the baseball into a priceless collector’s item.
Notable Signatures and Inscriptions:
Barney Schultz: “I gave up Mantle’s 16th WS HR 10-10-64.”
Bill Fischer: “I gave up Mantle’s 734ft HR 5-22-63.”
Bill Wight: “Mickey’s 1st Hit 4/17/51.” (Note: Historical discrepancies suggest Mantle’s first hit was off Randy Gumpert, though Wight is also referenced.)
Stu Miller: “I gave up Mantle’s 500th HR on May 14th, 1967.”
Jim Lonborg: “I gave up Mantle’s last HR #536, 9/20/68. Last pitcher to face Mantle 9/28/68.”
This baseball isn’t just a collectible—it’s a piece of living history, capturing the pinnacle moments of one of the greatest careers in Major League Baseball.
Appraisal and Value: After conducting an in-person inspection and comparing current market trends, DJR Authentication estimates the fair market value of this unique piece to be between $4,000 and $6,000. This appraisal is based on recent comparable sales and the baseball’s impeccable condition, as well as the significance of the inscriptions.
This Mickey Mantle milestone baseball is a true treasure for collectors, baseball historians, and Mantle fans alike. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime piece that will continue to appreciate in value as time goes on.
