This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/28/2020
Billy Martin and Mickey Mantle were not only best friends, but they could have been brothers in every sense of the word. They were very different in temperament, but loyal in their friendship almost to a fault. When he passed away in December of 1989, Mantle was a pallbearer at his friend's funeral. When asked about their friendship, he said, "I have no idea why I liked him so much. We could never figure it out. Me and Whitey Ford and Billy were all so different. That's why we got along so well." Offered here is a one-of-a-kind piece in the form of a handwritten letter to the New York Baseball Writer's Association after Martin's death, when he was meant to speak at a tribute to the legendary Yankees 2nd baseman. The letter reads, in full: "I'm sorry I couldn't be there tonite to honor & pay homage to one of the best friends a man could ever have. But things just didn't work out. I'm not sure I could have gotten up to the mike without chokin' up anyway. I would just like to say to Billy, 'You are the best friend a man could ever have and I think you were the best mgr. I ever saw. I know how much you loved NYC & the N.Y. Yankees and we'll all miss you.' In closing I'd just like to say, 'Thanks for all the good times and great memories, Pard [sic?].' We'll all miss you. -Mick". In good condition. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.