(LOT 46)
1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA 6 EX-MT
MONSTROUS MAYS!!!...
MLB pitching was apparently made for the Say Hey Kid as he left behind his .477 Minneapolis Millers batting average in 1951, which included eight home runs, to join the New York Giants and bat .274 with 20 home runs in 121 games. His brilliance in the field be damned; the New York Giants now had a bona fide slugger with unquestionable talent. With Mays reluctant to join the Giants, fearing MLB pitchers, skipper Leo Durocher, so high on the 20-year-old, asked that Mays hit just .250 for him and everything else would fall in place. And the rest, as they say, is history, as Willie won the NL Rookie of the Year Award, played part of the 1952 season before shipping off to the U.S. Army for a year and returned in 1954 to win the NL MVP. In both award-winning seasons, he led his club to the World Series, ultimately winning in 1954 over the Indians. Presented is a 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays PSA 6 EX-MT issue. Had it not been for the issuance of the high numbers from #243-324, Mays' rookie would likely have gone the way of Mickey Mantle's, as the 1952 Topps may have well been considered his inaugural card. This PSA 6 example offers delightful color as Mays holds his bat resolutely. Excellent bordered, though OC favoring the bottom right, with sharp corners and edging.

MIN BID $5,000
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