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Lot # 183: 1961 New York Yankees Signed Contracts w/Berra & Ford (30)

Starting Bid: $200.00

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Displayed is a 1989 collection of thirty (30) New York Yankees signed contracts with Capital Cards in conjunction with a May 11-13 reunion and card show. The legendary 1961 Yankees won 107 games and defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 in games to win the World Series. Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle chased Ruth's single-season home run record of 60 round-trippers, and Maris hit his 61st homer on the regular season's last day. Whitey Ford went 25-4 on the mound.

The offering includes a 9x11.5" advertisement for the memorabilia show. The event was part of a baseball memorabilia show from May 11-13, 1990, at Trump Castle Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Capital Cards, of Brooklyn, New York, sent a standardized contract to players, the manager, and some coaches, that provided for a payment of $2.00 per autograph, with a minimum of 2,500 autographs to sign for a minimum payment of $5,000. The contracts were signed with 7-8/10 signatures, mostly in blue or black ballpoint. Almost all of the 1961 Yankee playing personnel signed; Roger Maris and Elston Howard had passed away before this autograph signing/reunion was organized. Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle's signature is not included. Celeste Boyer signed for Clete Boyer, and there are two originals of this contract. Duke Maas and Lee Thomas, who played very briefly in 1961, are not included. Signatures on contracts: Hall of Famers, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford (with Ford signing his legal name of Edward Ford). Stars and other rostered players: Luis Arroyo, John Blanchard, Bob Cerv, Jim Coates, Joe De Mastri, Art Ditmar, Al Downing, Ryne Duren, Bill Gardner, Jesse Gonder, Bob Hale, manager Ralph Houk, Johnny James, Deron Johnson, Hector Lopez, Dan McDevitt, Jack Reed, Hal Reniff, Bobby Richardson, pitching coach Johnny Sain, Roland Sheldon, Bill Skowron, Bill Stafford, Ralph Terry, player/coach Earl Torgeson, Tom Tresh, and Bob Turley. There are also some signed notes to the promoter: from manager Ralph Houk, coach Johnny Sain, Ryne Duren, and Ralph Terry. The notes show Houk and Terry politely negotiating for higher guarantees. The signed contracts, plus the signed notes, make a great remembrance for one of the greatest teams of all time.

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