This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/27/2012
In every area of collectibles there are white whales, items that exude such feelings of immense awe and nearly unbelieved expectations that enthusiasts are reluctant to echo that such items are in fact in existence, that they must be seen to be believed. Offered is one of those type of items, a 1979 Topps #310 Thurman Munson card that has beautifully autographed in blue sharpie. Thurman Munson was the All Star catcher and Captain of the New York Yankees who was revered as much for his stance as a man and team leader as he for his abilities on the field. The Yankees had lost three in a row, and were in fourth place, eleven games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East heading into the All-Star break in 1979. Despite a .297 average, the wear-and-tear of catching was beginning to take its toll on Munson, and he was overlooked for the American League All-Star team. Frequently homesick, he had a well-known desire to play for the Cleveland Indians in order to be closer to his family. On August 2nd, 1979 Thurman Munson died at age 32 while practicing how to land his Cessna Citation at Akron-Canton Airport. Munson was pinned by debris and killed by smoke inhalation in the ensuing fire while his two companions escaped the burned aircraft. The day after his death, before the start of the Yankees' four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx, the team paid tribute to their deceased captain in a pre-game ceremony in which the starters stood at their defensive positions, save for the catcher's box, which remained empty. Following a prayer by Cardinal Terence Cooke, a moment of silence and "America The Beautiful" by Robert Merrill, the fans burst into an eight minute standing ovation. Jerry Narron, the man who would replace Munson behind the plate that night, remained in the dugout and did not enter the field until stadium announcer Bob Sheppard said, "And now it is time to play ball. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for your cooperation. Presented is without hesitation the finest known example of this exceptionally rare and desirable modern autographed card that displays a deep bold blue sharpie autograph right across the lower portion of the card. The card itself remains in amazing condition and could easily be graded minimally at NM/MT or better. Through research on this lot we believe that only about 6 or so examples of this card exist with the featured copy being the unquestioned strongest of the group (please keep in mind that Munson had at most 3 1/2 months to sign his 1979 Topps card before his death). A stellar example of what is without question one of the most elusive and important autographed cards in the entire hobby! LOA PSA/DNA.