Retired for more than two decades, Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle bestowed this autographed baseball on an appreciative fan as a Christmas gift in 1989. The mildly toned OAL Brown sphere (grade “8”) is signed by Mantle in blue ink on a side panel (“8” strength) and inscribed (in Mantle’s hand) “Best Wisdes – Xmas ’89.” The bittersweet irony here is that on Christmas Day of 1989, Mantle lost his teammate and close friend Billy Martin, who was killed in an automobile accident. Note: just above the inscription, a personalization (in Mantle's hand) has been removed. Full photo LOA from JSA.
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