This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2004.
Hall of Famer catcher Mickey "Black Mike" Cochrane was the spark of the Athletics teams that won three consecutive World Championships from 1929-1931, batting .346 during that period. His .320 career batting average leads all catchers to this day. Becoming a manager after having his skull fractured by Yankees pitcher Bump Hadley, he amassed 413 wins and seven World Series game victories. This lightly toned Rawlings Official Texas League (Butler) ball has been signed in blue ballpoint on the sweet spot by Mickey Cochrane, whom Mickey Mantle was named after (Cochrane was Mantle's father's favorite player). The signature grades a strong 8 and comes with a letter from PSA/DNA. The north and south panels show evidence of possible removals.