{"product_id":"1952-berk-ross-willie-mays-psa-nm-mt-8","title":"1952 Berk Ross Willie Mays PSA NM-MT 8","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1952 Berk Ross Willie Mays PSA 8 - The Say Hey Kid, Before “The Catch”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e1952 Berk Ross Willie Mays\u003c\/strong\u003e reaches back to the very beginning of one of baseball’s most extraordinary careers. Mays had debuted with the New York Giants in 1951, struggled through an infamous 0-for-12 start, and then quickly showed why the organization believed it had found a generational talent. He finished that first campaign as the \u003cstrong\u003eNational League Rookie of the Year\u003c\/strong\u003e and helped propel New York to the pennant. Berk Ross arrived immediately afterward, making this one of the earliest cards issued of the young center fielder—before the MVPs, before 600 home runs, and before “The Catch” became part of baseball mythology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has survived in outstanding \u003cstrong\u003ePSA NM-MT 8\u003c\/strong\u003e condition. Berk Ross cards present their own set of preservation challenges, from \u003cstrong\u003ecentering and registration to surface wear, edges, and corners\u003c\/strong\u003e, making an NM-MT example of Mays particularly compelling. Its place outside the traditional Topps and Bowman runs gives the card additional character as well. Rather than another familiar mainstream issue, this is \u003cstrong\u003eearly Mays cardboard from 1952\u003c\/strong\u003e, produced while collectors were only beginning to understand the magnitude of the player pictured on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe timing also makes the card fascinating because Mays’ career was about to be interrupted. After playing only 34 games in 1952, he entered the \u003cstrong\u003eUnited States Army\u003c\/strong\u003e and missed the entire 1953 season before returning in 1954—and immediately winning the \u003cstrong\u003eNational League MVP Award\u003c\/strong\u003e, a batting title, and the World Series. What followed included \u003cstrong\u003e660 home runs, 3,293 hits, 12 Gold Gloves, two MVP Awards\u003c\/strong\u003e, and a combination of power, speed, defense, and instinct that made him the prototype of the complete ballplayer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hall of Fame Exchange","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53537532281141,"sku":null,"price":13000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/7827\/6917\/files\/1952BerkRossWillieMaysPSANM-MT8.png?v=1789153571","url":"https:\/\/halloffameexchange.com\/products\/1952-berk-ross-willie-mays-psa-nm-mt-8","provider":"Hall of Fame Exchange","version":"1.0","type":"link"}