About 15 years ago, a Las Vegas "peddler" told me he had an old signed ball that was sitting in his dresser that was given to him a long time ago and would I be interested. Of course I wanted to see what was cooking so I told him to bring the ball by and I would look at it. It was signed by the Yankees and I was trying to find out if it might be legit. So I looked at the signatures and tried to compare what season it may relate to. Here's the list of players from the 1953 Yankees around the early part of the season.....
1. Hank Bauer
2. Ewell Blackwell
3. Vic Raschi
4. Bill Miller
5. Billy Martin
6. Don Bollweg
7. Gene Woodling
8. Bill Renna
9. Ed Ford
10.Joe Collins
11.Yogi Berra
12.Allie Reynolds
13.Bob Kuzava
14.Charlie Silvera
15.John Mize
16.Ralph Houk
17.Gil McDougald
18.Ed Lopat
19.Lee Noran
20.Ray Scarborough
21.Tom Gorman
22.Jim McDonald
23.Andy Carey
24.Phil Rizzuto
25.Mickey Mantle
Now the key to this ball is Mantle's signature. It doesn't look real but many of the others do. I've never had the ball checked to this date. The "peddler" took the $500 and ran like hell....lol,lol I put the ball in a case next to a 1964 Mantle card. At least that's "real". Everyone has said get it checked because the ball could be a worth a fortune. I said it already is to me and I'll keep the ball forever..........Have a nice Sunday.Bobby