Lot Essay
Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measuring 34 1/2" long and weighing 31oz. Model M110 stamped on knob end with bat exhibiting outstanding use including extensive stitching impressions, ball marks, rack marks, and period handle tape. The bat traces its origins to Tony Schartz who was an acquaintance and golf partner of Mantle's in the early 1960s during spring training. Based on an accompanying 1991 letter by New York Yankee Ralph Terry's wife (Tanya) the bat descended from Schartz (Uncle Tony) to Jerry Perrin. Perrin had requested that Ralph Terry and Mantle sign two individual note cards detailing use of the offered bat in the 1960 World Series by Mantle. Each card was signed by the respective player and returned via a 1991 dated certified envelope to Perrin. The note cards each refer to the bat having been used to hit two home runs in the 1960 World Series which is mistaken and should have simply noted World Series use. As detailed in the PSA/DNA letter Mantle was photographed hitting at least one of the two home runs with a white letter Adirondack bat versus a Louisville Slugger bat. The second home run cannot be fully corroborated as to which bat he used due to a very small population of images from the 1960 Series especially for the games played at Pittsburgh. Interestingly, the specifications of the offered bat date succinctly to 1960 within Mantle's Hillerich & Bradsby Co. factory bat order records. The powerful combination of 1960 ordering records along with direct provenance to the 1960 World Series from Terry who pitched in both game #s 4 and 7 present one of the most well documented Mantle game bats we have offered. Includes LOA from PSA/DNA (GU 9), 1991 Tanya Terry handwritten letter of provenance, Mickey Mantle and Ralph Terry signed cards (Both encapsulated by PSA/DNA 8 NM-MT), and copy of an article corroborating Mantle's relationship with Schartz: EX