Yankees legend Mickey Mantle’s famed ’99’ autograph up for auction

New York Yankees' legenda Mickey Mantle and his "99" autograph
Inna Zeyger
Thursday October 17, 2024

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A rare piece of memorabilia tied to New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle is up for auction at Leland’s, according to TMZ Sports.

The item, featured in a detailed breakdown by The Collectibles Guru last July, is a unique sheet containing 99 of Mickey Mantle’s signatures, alongside a playful note about the quality of the pen he used.

Leland’s provided background on the memorabilia, explaining that Mickey Mantle gifted the sheet to the consignor while he was signing for Sports Impressions, a company that produced licensed sports merchandise in the 1980s and 1990s.

The auction house described how Mickey Mantle used a fine-tip black marker to sign 99 sections, each marked by his bold, clean signature. On the 47th segment, however, instead of signing, the Yankees legend added a humorous comment about the marker’s poor performance, yet continued to complete 53 more segments with his signature in his characteristic style.

The auction for this rare piece began with a starting bid of $10,000. By Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. ET, the highest offer had soared to $77,622 after 37 bids.

Mickey Mantle’s enduring legacy as one of baseball’s most iconic figures has made his memorabilia highly sought after, often commanding significant sums. One of the most notable sales occurred in 2022, when a 1952 Topps Mantle card sold for a staggering $12.6 million, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a sports item.

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MLB

The auction listing also highlights Mickey Mantle’s storied career with the Yankees, from 1951 to 1968. During that time, he helped lead the team to seven World Series championships and 12 AL pennants. Mantle was a 16-time All-Star and won three American League MVP awards. His 1956 Triple Crown season remains a defining moment, with 52 home runs, 130 RBIs, and a .353 batting average. He finished his career with 536 home runs, 1,509 RBIs, and a .977 OPS.

The listing also reflects on Mickey Mantle’s passing in 1995 at the age of 63, underscoring his lasting impact on the sport.

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