This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
The margin between cries of joy and cries of "wait ‘til next year" for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1952 was a lazy pop fly hit by Jackie Robinson with the bases loaded and the Dodgers behind 4-2 late in the game. At first no one in the New York Yankee infield made a move for the ball and as it fell to earth, Ebbets Field was about to explode in ecstasy when, suddenly, Billy Martin dashed in from second base and speared the ball at his shoetops, preserving the win and the Yankee mastery over the Bums. Brooklyn fans gave their all to coax victory, with many praying in church for Gil Hodges to break an 0-for-21 Series slump. And while victory was elusive, this decorative wall-hanging banner no doubt was hung on many a wall in from Canarsie to Carroll Gardens. The 16" x 22" black and white cloth banner reads "Brooklyn Dodgers, National League Champions, 1953" across the outfield section of a baseball diamond, and the names of the "Boys of Summer" are placed at their positions or listed on each side of the first and third base lines. The banner is only slightly faded in sports and is mounted in a 23 ½" x 30" brown wood frame.