This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Only 20 men have accomplished the near impossible feat of belting at least 500 home runs during their career, the first being the great Babe Ruth in 1929. Interestingly, only five of these standouts have hit all of their career home runs with one club: Ernie Banks, Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, Mike Schmidt and Ted Williams. This very large 52" x 50" oil on canvas painting depicts 11 members of the 500 Home Run Club. The background is a rendition of the Yankee Stadium facade with baseball field and black sign that reads, "National Pastime Presents The 500 Home Run Club." In the center is a rendition of Hank Aaron in Braves uniform, holding up his cap. Aaron is appropriately the largest figure in the piece, as he has the most home runs at 755. He is surrounded by portraits with upper torsos in cap and uniform of ten other great home run hitters. Each player pictured has signed this painting in blue sharpie, some have added inscriptions. Signatures include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Ernie Banks, Eddie Murray, Reggie Jackson ("44, Mr. October"), Harmon Killebrew ("573"), Ted Williams ("521"), Mike Schmidt, Frank Robinson and Eddie Mathews. Painting is NRMT-MINT (soiling on the unpainted border) with signatures and inscriptions that grade an overall 10. Canvas is not framed and will be rolled.