1952-53 Yogi Berra Game Used Catcher's Mitt....

Description

Ex-Phil Rizzuto Collection with photo match & Berra authentication!

1952-53 Yogi Berra Game Used Catcher's Mitt. Though the Mick may have been the brightest star of the 1950's Yankees, this squat little backstop was the planet that held the ballclub in its tight orbit. No Bronx Bomber in history is more decorated than the beloved Berra, earning two full fists of World Championship jewelry during his eighteen seasons as a player, as well as three American League MVP Awards in the five-season span that surrounds this mitt's term of service. Every accounting of the team's all-time greats finds Berra installed prominently within the top ten, with some placing him alongside Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle in the upper half of that ranking.

Thus it's no surprise that the rare offering of Berra game used gear brings a frenzied response from the Yankee faithful, and we expect nothing less when this rare and flawlessly provenanced relic takes its turn on the block. The professional model "Spalding" glove is personally endorsed by Berra's Hall of Fame predecessor Bill Dickey, whose number "8" joins Berra's beyond the outfield wall in Monument Park. Though the facsimile Dickey signature at lower lip of the mitt has faded with the passing decades, it remains visible upon close inspection and perfectly matches the included photograph of Yogi in his prime, as does every other unique element of design.

Reverse of the well-worn gamer is twice emblazoned with a vintage black marker number "8," one underscored by a later black sharpie inscription reading, "Yogi Berra, Game Used 1952/53." The glove was originally sold as part of the Phil Rizzuto Collection in 2006, and includes the original letter of provenance signed by the legendary shortstop and his wife Cora. Later, the winning bidder contacted Berra himself, who wrote back, "I am glad to see that a former catcher like yourself was able to acquire my game-used glove from Scooter, a great teammate and friend of mine. I hope that it makes a nice addition to your collection and that you enjoy the glove for many years to come. Remember, the best ballplayers are always behind the plate!" The original of the Berra letter has been lost, but a photocopy remains.

We've said it before, but it bears repeating--no element of a ballplayer's arsenal is more personal or more enduring than the game used glove, a truth only amplified when discussing a position actually named for the action of receiving a ball. For two World Championship seasons, the dark pocket of this Cooperstown-quality relic was softened by fastballs from Whitey Ford and Allie Reynolds, and held at the knees of legends from Ted Williams to Jackie Robinson. First a cornerstone of Yankees World Championship glory, this mitt wills serve that role equally well as the foundation of the finest of private Yankees collections. Letter of provenance from Phil Rizzuto. LOA from Denny Eskin. Photocopy of letter of provenance from Yogi Berra. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (signature on letter of provenance). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (signature on letter of provenance).

1952-53 Yogi Berra Game Used Catcher's Mitt.

*A donation of $100 to the American Red Cross is required to attend the Live auction.



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