This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2024
This 1951 Type I photograph of Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio during Game 2 of the World Series captures a defining moment in baseball lore—a poignant intersection of hope and heartbreak in Mantle’s rookie season. PSA-authenticated, the image shows the young Mantle beside the iconic DiMaggio, two legends in the making and nearing their symbolic handoff. But instead of capturing a moment of triumph, this photo immortalizes Mantle’s devastating knee injury, an accident that would shadow his career for years. In the scene, an anxious DiMaggio stands over the fallen Mantle, who sits with his head in his hands, visibly wracked with pain. The raw clarity of this Type I photograph preserves every detail with an authenticity often lost in reproductions, making it a prized piece. Beyond its rarity, this image holds deep sentimental and historical significance, marking the bittersweet turning point between the DiMaggio and Mantle eras—a moment of both loss and legacy for the Yankees.