Auction Item Details
Lot 475
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Lot Number: 475
Description: Significant Joe DiMaggio 1947 Most Valuable Player Award plaque. For the New York Yankees, the 1947 season ended like so many others with a World Championship against the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yankees captured the AL pennant with ease at a record of 97-57 which was a full 12 games ahead of second place Detroit. Joe DiMaggio had been back in baseball for two seasons after his military service in World War II and was coming off a "sub par" 1946 season in which he batted .290. DiMaggio's 1947 season, however, ended with very fine numbers: .315 batting average, 168 hits, 97 runs scored, 31 doubles, 20 home runs, 97 RBI's, and most impressively a spectacular league leading .997 fielding average. Although DiMaggio's statistics were certainly worthy of MVP honors, it was the all around leadership he provided that likely tipped the scales in his favor. He excelled at every facet of the game offensively, defensively, and in the locker room. DiMaggio led by example and expected his teammates to follow in his manner. During the 1947 season in the sixth game of the World Series, for example, DiMaggio hit a mammoth blast which measured 415 feet and ended up being one of the greatest catches in World Series history by Brooklyn Dodgers reserve outfielder Al Gionfriddo. After the catch was made, DiMaggio kicked the dirt. This very human reaction was so out of character for DiMaggio that it made headlines in the sports pages. The 1947 American League MVP crown was not easily captured by DiMaggio. His friend and constant statistical challenger Ted Williams had completed one of his finest seasons either near or at the top of virtually every offensive category. The 1947 AL MVP voting caused enormous controversy as a Boston sportswriter reportedly left Williams Significant Joe DiMaggio 1947 Most Valuable Player Award plaque. For the New York Yankees, the 1947 season ended like so many others with a World Championship against the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yankees captured the AL pennant with ease at a record of 97-57 which was a full 12 games ahead of second place Detroit. Joe DiMaggio had been back in baseball for two seasons after his military service in World War II and was coming off a "sub par" 1946 season in which he batted .290. DiMaggio's 1947 season, however, ended with very fine numbers: .315 batting average, 168 hits, 97 runs scored, 31 doubles, 20 home runs, 97 RBI's, and most impressively a spectacular league leading .997 fielding average. Although DiMaggio's statistics were certainly worthy of MVP honors, it was the all around leadership he provided that likely tipped the scales in his favor. He excelled at every facet of the game offensively, defensively, and in the locker room. DiMaggio led by example and expected his teammates to follow in his manner. During the 1947 season in the sixth game of the World Series, for example, DiMaggio hit a mammoth blast which measured 415 feet and ended up being one of the greatest catches in World Series history by Brooklyn Dodgers reserve outfielder Al Gionfriddo. After the catch was made, DiMaggio kicked the dirt. This very human reaction was so out of character for DiMaggio that it made headlines in the sports pages. The 1947 American League MVP crown was not easily captured by DiMaggio. His friend and constant statistical challenger Ted Williams had completed one of his finest seasons either near or at the top of virtually every offensive category. The 1947 AL MVP voting caused enormous controversy as a Boston sportswriter reportedly left Williams off of his ballot which would have cost Ted the necessary two votes to win. The offered plaque was presented to DiMaggio by the Baseball Writer's Association at ceremonies held at Yankee Stadium on April 23, 1948. The black painted wooden plaque measures 16" in diameter and retains its original surface. Applied to the front is an octagonal sterling silver placard with a 10K gold Kennesaw M.Landis bust vignette, Joe DiMaggio nameplate, and 1947 year plate. Front is stamped "Dieges & Clust Sterling" at lower right. Back of the plaque retains its original Dieges & Clust metal tag and a link chain for wall hanging. The wooden portion of the plaque remains fairly clean with some typical light indentations and a few areas of very minor paint flaking. Interior plaque portion remains very clean with brilliant eye appeal. The Most Valuable Player award is the most coveted individual performance award in Major League Baseball. Although DiMaggio was a three time MVP award recipient, the 1947 plaque is the only example that he received; prior to 1945, the players were presented with pocketwatches. With respect to player caliber, dating period, and historical significance, the offered plaque is regarded by many to be the most significant of its type to come into the public marketplace. The lot includes four different vintage photographs from the DiMaggio collection picturing Joe receiving the award. Three of the images are stamped by noted photographer Bob Olen on the reverse: EX-MT
Estimated Price: ($150,000.00-$250,000.00)
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