October 1, 1961 New York Yankees (vs. Boston Red Sox) Signed and Inscribed Game-Used Baseball - Roger Maris 61st Home Run

Sold For:

$1,800

Year:

1961

Auction:

2024 Spring

Lot #:

2713

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

On October 1, 1961, Roger Maris accomplished one of the greatest feats in the history of sports and forever took his place alongside the other immortals of the game. It was on that historic day that he broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record with his fourth inning home run off Red Sox pitcher Tracy Stallard. This official American League baseball (Cronin) was used during Maris's record-breaking game and is inscribed by American League umpire Al Salerno who worked the game that day. The printed notation "Yankee Stadium 10-1-61" is written in black ink across the sweet spot (extending into the side panel). The inscription "Game Used/Maris Breaks/Babe Ruth Record/10-1-61/Al Salerno [signed]/A.L. Umpire" is noted in black ink on the panel directly below. The ball comes with a one-page-typed, signed letter of provenance from Al Salerno, dated July 15, 1998, attesting to its authenticity. The accompanying signed letter he composed in 1998 detailing the history of the ball. In part: "After the game, I grabbed a few of the balls that were used in this historic game and have kept them at my home over the past 35 years." This baseball is inscribed and attributed to the game and has been in our consignor's collection of game-used baseballs for many years since he purchased it at public auction in 2001. The ball displays light soiling, indicative of having been used on the field, and is in overall Excellent condition. An extremely important game-used baseball from one of the most memorable games in the history of our National Pastime. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA. Opening Bid $500.