A piece of baseball history is currently making waves in the sports memorabilia world as a game-used bat wielded by the legendary Mickey Mantle during the 1953 World Series has landed on the auction block at Heritage Auctions. This isn’t just any ordinary bat; it comes with a remarkable backstory that adds to its allure.
The tale of this iconic bat traces back to a youth baseball banquet held in Oklahoma City in early 1954, attended by Mantle himself along with his baseball peers Allie Reynolds and Bobby Morgan. As part of the event, young baseball enthusiast Robert Nance emerged as the lucky winner of Mantle’s prized bat after proving himself as one of the top ticket sellers for the banquet.
Measuring 35.5 inches in length and weighing just under 34 ounces, this K55 model bat has been meticulously graded by PSA/DNA GU 10 for its exceptional condition and impeccable authenticity. What sets this bat apart is Mantle’s personal connection to it; he recounted to Nance that this very bat was the one he used during the 1953 World Series, pointing out the distinct paint streaks from the Yankee Stadium dugout. Mantle’s performance with this bat was nothing short of spectacular, with two home runs against the Dodgers, including his sole postseason grand slam, helping secure the Yankees’ fifth consecutive World Series triumph.
The bat’s provenance is further supported by a heartfelt letter from Nance himself, recounting the moment Mantle handed him the bat and adding a touch of personal history to its already rich heritage. Furthermore, bat expert John Taube of PSA/DNA confirmed the bat’s use in 1953 through meticulous examination of factory ordering records, highlighting its remarkable condition showcased by an array of ball marks, stitch impressions, and distinctive blue rack streaks.
Described by Heritage Auctions as “unquestionably one of the finest Mantle bats ever to appear on the hobby’s auction block,” this piece of sports memorabilia is poised to attract significant attention from collectors and enthusiasts. The bidding war for this unique artifact is set to conclude on Friday, May 17, with the anticipated price expected to soar well into six figures, reflecting its extraordinary historical significance and sentimental value in the world of baseball collectibles.