This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
The premier catcher of his day (along with Carlton Fisk), Thurman Munson tragically died in a private plane crash in Canton, Ohio. A lifetime .292 hitter (.373 in 16 World Series games), he was the 1969 AL Rookie of The Year. A staple of the 1970s New York Yankees, he batted over .300 with over 100 RBIs three years in a row (1975-1977) and won the MVP Award in 1976. He also hit a tremendous .529 in the 1976 World Series and .320 in the 1977 and 1978 World Series. He was granted one of the rarest and most coveted titles in sports - that of Yankees "Captain," the first to hold that title since Lou Gehrig. This Rawlings Official League baseball (Haiti) is signed and inscribed in blue ink on the side panel "To Eric, Best Regards, Thurman Munson. Ball is evenly toned with some spotting, signature and inscription grade at least a strong 8 if not a 9. The only flaw is a small scratch that goes through the first "M" in "Munson." Accompanied by a LOA from James Spence Authentication.