This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2017
Certainly ranking among the leaders as one of the greatest baseball players in major league history, New York Giants centerfielder Willie Mays also carries the distinction of being arguably the most talented. A "five-tool" star with no weakness, Mays consistently demonstrated his dominance in hitting (.302 lifetime average, over 3,200 hits and a batting title), hitting with power (660 homers, four time home-run king), base running (four time stolen base leader) and fielding (12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards). While Mickey Mantle was quickly becoming the new darling in the Bronx, Willie Mays and his squad from Manhattan had become perennial challengers in the senior circuit. Jackie Robinson's entry into the majors in 1947 opened the door for other teams to explore a resource previously left untapped, and when Boston Braves scout Bud Maughn stumbled upon a 17-year old kid from Alabama who was playing for the Birmingham Black Barons, major league history would change once again. Unable to sign the "Say Hey Kid" and losing the opportunity to field a future outfield that included Mays and Hank Aaron, Mays soon was on his way to "The Big Apple" and a date with immortality. Though the '51 Bowman card will likely always reign supreme as the most significant post-war rookie card, one cannot deny that Mays' debut piece is one of the most powerful issues of the post-war era. Offered is an exemplary PSA 8 example that boasts a flawlessly registered image that is well placed within its pure white borders, deeply defined with various hues of brown supporting the bright white of his home jersey and the jet black coloring of his Giants cap. The corners easily meet the criteria for NM/MT status with an unassuming rough cut lining the top horizontal edge. The reverse has been splendidly delivered with deep blue ink set against clean gray stock. An absolutely pristine example of one of the most important cards in our hobby!