This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/10/2017
With baseball's long standing color barrier removed in 1947, major league teams sent an army of scouts to evaluate talent from every Negro and semi-pro team that had black players on their roster, hoping to cash in with the discovery of the "next" Jackie Robinson. Boston Braves scout Bud Maughn stumbled upon a 17-year old kid from Alabama who was playing for the Birmingham Black Barons. A star at football, baseball and basketball for Fairfield Industrial High School, his respectable .262 batting average against much older and more experienced players was overshadowed by his unprecedented speed and fielding ability. Indeed, a world-class five tool player was on the horizon for whomever could get his signature on paper. Maughn recommended that the Braves sign him but were unable to successfully negotiate a deal, costing the team the opportunity to field a future outfield that included Hank Aaron and, yeah, Willie Mays. But that honor went to the New York Giants, and after batting .477 in 149 at-bats for AAA Minneapolis, "The Say Hey Kid" was on his way to "The Big Apple" and a date with immortality. And while the 1951 Bowman series is dominated by the debut card of crosstown legend Mickey Mantle, the appearance of Willie Mays' iconic rookie card is nonetheless one of the most powerful issues of the post-war era. Offered is an absolutely stellar PSA 8 example that boasts a flawlessly focused image that is near perfectly placed within its pure white borders. Mays appears to be loosening up in the batting cage with deeply defined hues of brown supporting the bright white of his home jersey and the jet black coloring of his Giants cap, which undoubtedly commands the attention of any hobbyist. The corners easily meet the criteria for NM/MT status and the right side endpoints (when viewed in its horizontal format) appear a half to full level higher. A mild to moderate rough cut lines the top and bottom edges while the surface glitters underneath a shimmering layer of gloss. The reverse has been splendidly printed with deep blue ink set against the gray stock of Bowman's 1951 issue. An absolutely supreme example of one of the most important cards in our hobby!