Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
When Mickey Mantle received this contract just before Christmas of 1964, the Yankees were still smarting from their loss to St. Louis in the World Series. The seven game loss was attributed to the aged veterans fielded by the Yankees failing to match the stamina of a young Cardinals team. Yogi Berra was fired as manager as the front office tried to stem the tide of the rapidly aging Yankees clubhouse. Little did anyone know that this would be the beginning of the end for the Yankees latest dynasty. The one man the team couldn't and wouldn't dare to replace was the 32 year-old center fielder, Mickey Mantle. Although 15 years of professional baseball was rapidly taking a toll on his body, Mantle came alive in the '64 Series, batting .333 and tagging the young Cardinal pitchers for three home runs. Despite the fact that his numbers were steadily declining, The Mick's spectacular October performance ensured that his Yankees contract for 1965 gave him the same $100,000 salary he received the previous year. This standard Uniform Player's Contract is the document Mantle signed for the upcoming 1965 season. The 4 page folded contract has Mantle's name and $100,000 salary typed in blue and the inside page three has been signed in black ball point by Mantle (10/10). Yankees GM Ralph Houk (10/10) has signed as well as Hall of Famer and President of the American League Joe Cronin (10/10). A great signed contract from Mantle's last great season. Letter of Authenticity U06428 from PSA/DNA.