November 2016 Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/19/2016
The lesser known principal in the final chapter of the 1961 Roger Maris saga, journeyman hurler Tracy Stallard recalls yielding the historic clout with vivid clarity on this signed and inscribed baseball.
The mildly toned OAL Budig sphere is signed by Stallard on a side panel. In Stallard’s hand on adjacent panels, the inscription reads: “Final game of season 10/1/61 I arrived at Yankee Stadium one hour before game time having no clue who was going to pitch when Sal Maglie handed me the ball. The first inning Maris popped up to the infield. Third inn. Score 0-0 count 2-0 a pitch on the inner part of the plate. He hit it high & hard it landed in right field seats for his 61st home run that broke Babe Ruth’s single season record. I faced Roger in the 7th and struck him out. He told me later at least I had the nerve to pitch to him lost game 1-0.
Letter of Authenticity from Richard Albersheim.