1961 Roger Maris, "Poses with 61st Home Run Ball and Sal Durante" (the Man who Caught it) Vintage Original Press Photo

Hardcore Yankees fans know the name Sal Durante. A working class New York kid, Durante bought a right field bleacher seat for the final game of the 1961 season hoping to witness history and unexpectedly became part of it. He caught Roger Maris’ record setting 61st home run, then famously offered the ball to Maris before selling it for $5,000 and using the money to get married. For a brief moment, Durante became a national figure, and his story remains one of the great footnotes in baseball history.

The rare photograph offered here captures Durante holding the historic ball while posing with Maris in the New York Yankees dugout after the game. It is one of the most iconic images of the 1961 season and surprisingly difficult to find in original form. Completely original and in fine overall condition, this is a true missing piece for even the most advanced collections.

Offered is a period 6” x 8” Associated Press photo with a clipping from an article showing Durante’s cropped face on the back that was stamped on October 2, 1961.

Historic!!!