1968 Carl Yastrzemski Signed Boston Red Sox Contract

Sold For:

$8,295

Year:

1968

Auction:

2012 Spring

Lot #:

768

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Four-page fold-over contract, dated October 20, 1967, between Carl Yastrzemski and the Boston Red Sox, signed in blue ink by "Carl M. Yastrzemski" (grading "10") and "Richard H. O'Connell" ("10") as general manager. Also signed in blue ink by Joe Cronin ("10") as American League President. The one-year contract, for the 1968 season, calls for Yastrzemski to receive a salary of $100,000. This contract dates just eight days following Boston's seven-game loss to the Cardinals in the World Series. The fact that Boston was making the signing of Yastrzemski its top priority that off season is not surprising. Yaz just completed the finest season of his career, winning baseball's coveted Triple Crown by virtue of his league-leading totals in batting average (.326), home runs (44), and RBI (121). He also stood out in the World Series as well, posting team-high totals in batting average (.400), home runs (3), and RBI (5). Yaz did not disappoint in 1968 either, winning his second consecutive batting crown (.301) while totaling 23 home runs and 74 RBI. Yaz finished his career with 3,308 hits, 452 home runs, and 1,844 RBI. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989. 104 of Hall of Fame players are rare and the offered example is no exception. This is the first Yastrzemski contract we have ever offered and we can only recall having seen two others at public auction. The contract (8.5 x 11 inches) displays two horizontal folds and is in Excellent to Mint condition overall. LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000+. SOLD FOR $8,295