Lot # 1146: 1972 New York Mets Team-Signed Baseball with (31) Signatures Including Mays, Berra & Seaver - JSA LOA

Several high-profile signatures make this 1972 New York Mets team-signed baseball a worthy target. While 1972 was a so-so year that saw the Mets finish third in the NL East, many of their stars were holdovers from the 1969 "Amazin' Mets" World Series winning squad, and many were on hand in 1973, when the Mets captured the National League pennant. Headliners are Hall of Famers Willie Mays, "Yogi" Berra and Tom Seaver, long-deceased relievers "Tug" McGraw and Dan Frisella, and 1972 NL Rookie of the Year Jon Matlack. There are also plenty of star players and coaches in the mix, such as Tommie Agee, Jerry Koosman, Jim Fregosi, Jon Matlack, Ed Yost and "Bud" Harrelson. Oddly, the ball chosen for the 1972 Mets to sign is an OAL/Cronin model. This vintage orb reports in attractive state, and the (31) period signatures are all distinct. The identification "1972 New York Mets" is written in red ink on the west panel, in unknown hand.

The complete list of signers is:

Sweet spot: "Yogi" Berra (HOF, manager), Willie Mays (HOF);

North panel: Joe Pigantano (coach), Jim McAndrew, Lute Barnes, Wayne Garrett, "Rube" Walker (coach), Gary Gentry, Brent Strom, Bob Rauch, Ed Kranepool;

South panel: "Tug" McGraw (d.2004), Jerry Grote, Tommie Agee (d.2004), Jon Matlack (1972 NL ROY), "Duffy" Dyer, Ray Sadecki, Dan Frisella (d.1977)'

East panel: Ed Yost (coach), "Bud" Harrelson, Jerry Koosman, Tom Seaver (HOF), Jim Fregosi, Ken Boswell, Teddy Martinez;

West panel: Jim Beauchamp, Dave Schneck, John Milner, "Sheriff" Robinson (coach), Dave Marshall, "Buzz" Capra.

Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.