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Rare 1958 Yogi Berra Vintage Single-Signed William Harridge Baseball (PSA)
"It ain't over 'til it's over," said Lorenzo Pietro Berra, more popularly known as Yogi. As far as the popularity of the New York Yankees' Hall of Fame catcher, it's never over, and it never will be. Although Yogi passed away in 2015, his legend and appeal are immortal. Presented is the opportunity to possess a rare, single-signed Yogi Berra American League (Harridge) baseball, the first we have seen. In 1943, Berra had already been in the minor leagues in the Yankees' farm system when he joined the U.S. Navy and did his part as a gunner's mate on a landing craft in the invasion of Normandy Beach in World War II. After the war, Berra was tutored in the finer arts of catching by Hall of Fame Yankee catcher Bill Dickey, and Yogi played for the New York Yankees from 1946 to 1963, primarily as a backstop, although he was sometimes an outfielder. Berra played 19 seasons in the Major Leagues, all with the Yankees, except for briefly playing for the New York Mets as a player-coach 1965. Berra hit .285 lifetime, with 358 home runs and 1,430 RBIs. Even though he often swung at pitches outside the strike zone, Berra was a power hitter who rarely struck out. In fact, in five seasons he performed an unusual feat - he had more home runs than strikeouts. He was also an excellent handler of pitchers. Yankees star right-hander Tom Sturdivant knew Berra's value. "No one," said Sturdivant, "could set up a hitter like Yogi." In 1958, when this ball was signed by Yogi, Berra hit .266, with 22 homers and 90 RBIs. He was a key part of the 1958 World Champions when the Yankees defeated the Milwaukee Braves, and in his career, he was on 10 teams that won the World Series, more than anyone else in baseball history. Berra won three American League MVPs, one of only six players to have done so. The Berra single-signed baseball shows wear, with a few small stains, and some darkening. Berra has signed the sweet spot in blue ink in neat script as "Yogi Berra." The stamping of the ball as an official American League (Harridge) Baseball has faded and is not legible. Berra's signature on the ball rates 7/10. What sports collection would not be enhanced by a rare vintage single signed baseball by the great Yogi Berra? Comes with PSA LOA.
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