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Lot # 1387: Iconic 1961 Roger Maris & Sal Durante with 61st Home Run Ball Original Photograph (PSA Type I)

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2024 Fall Classic",
which ran from 9/27/2024 7:00 PM to
10/19/2024 10:00 PM



Displayed is a 1961 Original Type I Associated Press photograph showing Roger Maris & Sal Durante with the 61st home run ball hit by Maris, baseball's new single-season Home Run King. Baseball's single-season home run record had been 60, set by Babe Ruth in 1927. Maris had 60 home runs going into the 1961 season's final game, a game at Yankee Stadium against the Boston Red Sox. The game was meaningless in the standings, but exciting for the home run chase, and 23,000 fans attended, many of them jamming into the right field seats, in anticipation of the left-handed batting Maris pulling a home run their way. Maris made out in the 1st inning and again faced the right-handed Red Sox starter, rookie Tracy Stallard, in the 4th frame. With one out and a 2-0 count, Maris swung at a pitch over the heart of the plate and drove it about ten rows into the right field stands. A 19-year-old Brooklyn truck driver, Sal Durante, was in the right field stands, and he stood and caught the ball in his bare right hand. Although the single-season home run record of 60 has been surpassed by Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Aaron Judge, Maris' homer remains one of baseball's most exciting moments. On the back of the 7x8.75" black & white offered photo is the Associated Press slug line. It reads, in part, "Roger Maris and Sal Durante, 19, hold Maris' 61st home run ball in the runway at New York's Yankee Stadium Oct. 1." When Durante met Maris in the runway after the historic game, Durante wanted to give the ball to Maris. "Keep it, kid," said the slugger. "Someone will pay you a lot of money for the ball." Durante sold the ball for $5,000, and the ball eventually wound up in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The photo has been encapsulated and PSA Certified as TYPE I AUTHENTIC. The photograph is in EXCELLENT condition.

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