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Mantle Autograph Memory 39 Years Later

PiggsPiggs Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭✭
edited May 6, 2017 10:01PM in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

December 9, 1978 Mickey Mantle and Denny McLain came to a mall near Portland Oregon to sign autographs for what I think was an appliance store. I was 16 and along with my parents, brother and friend we surrounded Mantle like vultures. The price that day for a autograph from the great Mantle? Nothing, they were free. They provided the baseballs he provided the signature, handed out to all. Everyone got one and he also signed cards, programs, anything. I also brought along 3X5 cards if I got lucky enough, and I did. Being a collector I still have everything, with the baseballs being the big hit. Time however didn't wear well with the cheap baseballs used that day and all of the baseballs faded, badly. What didn't fade? The index card, and what a nice signature Mantle put on it that day.

I finally decided to send it to PSA for authentication and grade a few weeks ago, I figured when the time comes to pass it on to my kids they know it's authentic. Today it came back. The memories of that time came back to, My mom, who's now gone stood with us and got a ball and gave it to me, something I'll never forget. Just a great time and memory. Thanks. Doug

Newspaper photo from that day: I'm the one circled.

One of 3 baseballs I still have:

The 3X5 card from that day. Got it back from PSA today.

Comments

  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭

    AWESOME story Doug! Always great to have something like this from when you were a kid. Thanks for sharing the newspaper clipping as well. That auto on the IC is VERY sharp!

    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • HighGradeLegendsHighGradeLegends Posts: 1,693 ✭✭✭✭

    Very nice thank you for sharing

  • baseballfanbaseballfan Posts: 5,464 ✭✭✭

    good stuff.

    I still remember passing on a mantle auto for 8.00 at a local show about 35 years ago. I really hated the Yankees.

    Fred

    collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.

    looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started

  • travis ttravis t Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭

    Great photo. There must have been quite a clamor to see a baseball hero in Portland in the year of the rebirth of the local PCL Beavers after the Mavericks died.

  • divecchiadivecchia Posts: 6,673 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That sounds like an AWESOME experience!!! :+1::+1::+1::+1:

    Thanks for sharing it.

    Donato

    Hobbyist & Collector (not an investor).
    Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set

    Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
  • IndianaJonesIndianaJones Posts: 346 ✭✭✭

    Thanks for sharing your special story, and am so happy for you that you hung on to the items. That photo is a stunner. Imagine, Mickey and Denny coming all the way to Portland, Oregon to sign FREE autographs. Ten years after he hung up his spikes, Mick was obviously well-remembered. The fact you got Mickey's autograph in person, coupled with you and Mick in the photo, is ........ priceless. What a wise thing it was to get the index card PSA / DNAed, first and foremost to assure its genuineness in case your son ever decides to sell it (doubtful, since with the family picture provenance of you and Mickey, it is too personally important!), and because now it is much safer in the holder to show around to very selected family and friends.

    A genuine heirloom to pass down. Thanks again, friend, ---- Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)

  • heritageheritage Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭

    .Cool story thanks for sharing it

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 9, 2017 5:10PM

    Wow Doug - great story and you have a newspaper clip! I'm chartreuse with envy buddy.

    In 1993, I was reassigned to Ft Hamilton - Brooklyn.

    I went to a card show at the Nassau coliseum and stood in line to buy a ticket - sold out before I could get it - think it was 50 or 60 bucks - me and my son were really disappointed.

    Does anyone remember when his sig was dirt cheap - his sig was cheaper than Nolan Ryan's in places like Penny's catalog.

    I think I bought a ball back then for like 39 bucks - this was before the prices soared and guys like Marino started "inventing" signed BBs.

    I have an '89 signed card where the Mick, Mays and the Duke signed - the combo was 29 bucks if memory serves.

    Thanx for sharing buddy - always a pleasure to see these kinds of threads.

    Mike
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