Spalding New York Yankees commemorative baseball signed in ballpoint by twenty-four members of the 1961 World Champion Yankees. Signers are: Roger Maris (who has also signed the ball a second time), Yogi Berra (ss), Tony Kubek, Whitey Ford (signing as Ed Ford), Joe DeMaestri, Bill Stafford, Ralph Terry, Bill Skowron, Jim Coates, Hector Lopez, Earl Torgeson, Roland Sheldon, Elston Howard, John Blanchard, Hal Reniff, Bill Gardner, Bob Turley, Clete Boyer, Bob Cerv, Tex Clevenger, Al Downing, Luis Arroyo, Bob Daley and Bob Richardson. Ball also bears a clubhouse signature of Mickey Mantle. According to accompanying provenance from the original recipient, the ball was given to a young boy by Whitey Ford, who had come over to his friends house to discuss oil dealing with his father. Although best remembered for Roger Maris’ and Mickey Mantle’s pursuit of Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record, the 1961 season also displayed one of the greatest teams in baseball history: The same Yankees for whom Maris and Mantle played. The "M & M Boys” hit 115 of the Yanks’ then-record 240 home runs, while Cy Young Award winner Whitey Ford and major league saves leader Luis Arroyo were the stars of a fine pitching staff. After spending virtually the entire first half of the season in second place, the Yankees blasted past Detroit in mid-season and had effectively sealed their second consecutive AL pennant by Labor Day. They finished the season eight games ahead of the 101-61 Tigers and had little trouble overcoming the Cincinnati Reds in a five-game World Series for the 19th World Championship in franchise history. In fine condition, with a single shade of mild overall toning. LOA Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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