This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 4/15/2010.
The “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. Many consider him to be the greatest all-around player in all of Major League history. He won two MVP awards and holds the shared record for most All-Star game appearances with 24, having been selected in every season that he played. He ended his career with 660 career homeruns, third all-time behind Ruth and Aaron when he retired. Mays placed second on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players in 1999, making him the highest-ranking living player. Mays was also elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team later on in that same year. He is the only Major League player to have hit a homerun in every inning from the 1st through the 16th and he finished his career with a record 22 extra-inning homeruns. Mays is also one of just four NL players to have eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons. This is a Willie Mays GC12 retail glove which shows great game-use. Written on the thumb by the equipment manager in old laundry marker is “Mays” and his famous number “24”. It is autographed on the pinkie in green ballpoint ink with a vintage signature rating a 6. This is a truly rare and important item with impeccable provenance, including a letter from Mays himself. Also come with LOAs from JSA and Denny Eskin.