1951 Bowman #289 Cliff Mapes PSA NM-MT 8

1951 Bowman #289 Cliff Mapes PSA 8 - A Powerful Yankee With a Curious Legacy

Cliff Mapes carved out a niche for himself in baseball history—not necessarily through Hall of Fame credentials, but through colorful anecdotes and a unique connection to Yankee legends. A solid outfielder with good power, Mapes wore the iconic number 3 for New York—the last Yankee ever to do so before it was permanently retired for Babe Ruth. Later, he also wore number 7 before it was passed to a young Mickey Mantle, placing him at the crossroads of Yankee lore.

This 1951 Bowman #289 Cliff Mapes card is a fascinating representation of that era. By the early ’50s, Mapes had shown flashes of slugging potential and played a supporting role during a dominant run for the Yankees. While he never became a household name, his place in pinstripe history remains endearing to vintage collectors and Yankee fans alike.