1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 PSA 3.5 VG+

On June 5, 1963, Brooks Robinson hit a long fly to center field against the Yankees. Mickey Mantle charged back on the ball, tracking it as he approached the chain-link fence installed at Memorial Stadium. As player met fence, Mantle’s spikes caught in the links, awkwardly bending his foot and breaking a bone as the ball landed on the other side for a home run. “Isn’t there some way they can strap this thing up so I can play?” Mantle asked trainer Joe Soares when he learned of a minimum six-week recovery. Sixty-one games ultimately passed before Mantle returned as a pinch-hitter on August 4, again facing the Orioles. He slugged a key home run in his only at-bat in the 11-10 victory, leading Robinson to mutter, “That’s why he’s Mickey Mantle.” Mantle did not let injuries get him down throughout his career. When he reported to spring training in 1952, he still exhibited a slight limp from the knee injury he sustained during the 1951 World Series. The plan called for Mantle to replace Joe DiMaggio in center field, but The New York Times expressed skepticism, reporting that he had not yet “shown any of the hustle and assurance one would expect of a young man about to move into an important post.” New York’s executives bought themselves an insurance policy by acquiring Irv Noren in a trade in May, just in case Mantle’s injury held him back. But Mantle proved them all wrong, finishing third in MVP voting, leading the majors with 14 assists from center field, and hitting .345 with two home runs during a seven-game World Series victory over the Dodgers. Just as Mantle always wanted to stay on the field, vintage collectors always want to add the best examples of the top cards from his playing career. None hold more prominence than his 1952 Topps offering. Boasting brilliant centering and eye-catching color, this PSA 3.5 example earned the Fanatics-E (Exceptional—Top 15%) Eye Appeal designation for its centering, color, surfaces, and edges. Mantle strikes a fearless pose on this iconic card, and his fearless dedication on the diamond left him as one of 13 players with seven championships, one of 11 with three MVPs, and one of seven American Leaguers with a Triple Crown. The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party authenticator's online database and is active as of 07/10/2025.