Long before his Triple Crown season, three MVP campaigns and 12 pennant-winning years, Mickey Mantle honed his skills under the guidance of Harry Craft. Mantle’s skipper for both the 1949 Class D Independence Yankees and 1950 Class C Joplin Miners, Craft went on to take the helm of the expansion Colt .45’s. Issued at an off-season event paying tribute to Craft, this 1963 Colt .45’s “Harry Craft Day” program is autographed by Mantle. Encapsulated with Autograph assessed “Authentic” by Beckett/JSA, the 5-1/2 x 8-1/2” item is signed on the cover in blue ballpoint. Never one to forget his mentors, Mantle gladly attended the event and signed this program for Craft’s wife. In Mantle’s hand, the inscription reads” “To Mrs. Craft – Sure was glad to finally meet you.” The signature projects (“9-10”) quality.