This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/30/2023
Presented is a 1961 Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris dual-signed, limited-edition Hillerich & Bradsby commemorative home run baseball bat. Mantle signed his name in blue marker below the engraved in black inscription “Genuine Mickey Mantle 54 Home Runs – 1961” caption at the end of the barrel, while Maris signed his name in blue marker below the engraved in black inscription “Genuine Roger Maris 61 Home Runs – 1961” caption at the opposite side of the barrel. The caption “Limited Edition 10 of 115” is engraved in black on the center of the barrel to the left of the Maris engraving and signature. The bat has two “Hillerich & Bradsby Louisville Slugger 125 Made in USA Louisville, KY.” engraved brands in black at the center, one on the side with Maris, the other opposite with Mantle. There are also two “Powerized” brands in black alongside the H&B brands.
Mantle and Maris became known at the "M&M Boys", when they were New York Yankees teammates from 1960 to 1966. They garnered national attention during the 1961 season, when Maris and Mantle, batting third and fourth in the Yankee lineup, both challenged Babe Ruth's (then) 34-year-old single-season record of 60 home runs. The home run lead would change hands between the two teammates numerous times throughout the summer and fueled intense scrutiny of the players by the press. Maris eventually broke the record when he hit his 61st home run on the final day of the season, while Mantle hit 54 before he was forced to pull out of the lineup in September due to injury. Maris' record stood for 37 years until it was broken by Mark McGwire in 1998. The duo, however, still hold the single-season record for combined home runs by a pair of teammates with 115.
Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.