New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle was never one to shy away from the bright lights of "The Big Apple", becoming the most electrifying personality in sports since the great Babe Ruth roamed the same Brooklyn streets some 35 years prior. But getting his first taste of professional baseball with the class D Independence Yankees in 1949, "The Mick" was a shy, homesick 17-year old from Commerce, Oklahoma trying to make his way to the top. Mantle and his minor-league teammates pose for this original type I team photo, which comes from the family of Bob Mallon, who appears in the picture and was also Mantle's roommate with the team. Mantle appears at the right end of the front row, yeah, the one with his eyes closed. This 8 x 10 wonder is snapped depicting the future star with his first professional team. A must-have for Mantle collectors!
VIDEO: Kevin Keating PSA Authenticator Discussing Early Mantle Collection