Historic 1953 Mickey Mantle World Series Bat Hits the Auction Block
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A remarkable piece of baseball memorabilia—a game-used bat from Mickey Mantle's 1953 World Series performance—is up for grabs at Heritage Auctions. This bat, not just any piece of equipment, was once awarded as a prize at a youth baseball banquet in Oklahoma City, making its backstory as notable as its use on the field.
The story dates back to early 1954, when Mantle, along with his teammate Allie Reynolds and Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Bobby Morgan, attended the Oklahoma City YMCA Junior Baseball banquet. The players, who spent their off-seasons in their hometowns, were part of an event where Mantle’s bat was one of the prizes given away. Young attendee Robert Nance won the bat after being one of the top ticket sellers for the event.
This K55 model bat, measuring 35.5 inches and weighing just under 34 ounces, has been graded PSA/DNA GU 10 for its condition and authenticity. The significance of the bat is elevated by Mantle's personal connection to it; he told Nance that he had used this bat during the 1953 World Series, pointing out the paint streaks from the Yankee Stadium dugout. Mantle's performance with this bat included hitting two home runs against the Dodgers, one of which was his only postseason grand slam, contributing to the Yankees' fifth consecutive World Series title.
The bat's provenance is supported by a letter from Nance detailing the moment Mantle presented it to him, adding a personal touch to its historical value. Additionally, PSA/DNA bat expert John Taube has confirmed the bat's use in 1953 through factory ordering records, noting its outstanding condition characterized by a multitude of ball marks, stitch impressions, and blue rack streaks.
Heritage Auctions has described this item as "unquestionably one of the finest Mantle bats ever to appear on the hobby’s auction block." Bidders have the opportunity to own this unique piece of sports history until the auction closes on Friday, May 17, with the price expected to reach well into six figures due to its significant historical and sentimental value.
