Circa 1961 New York Yankees Bat Boy Cap (Steiner)

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/19/2020

Here's a New York Yankees cap, which was used by Fred Bengis, during the 1961 season, during Bengis' time as a Yankees bat boy from 1959 through 1962. The cap is well-worn with the sweet band deteriorating and "1961" and "Fred" written on the underside of the bill in black marker. The cap arrives with a LOA from Bengis' daughter, Carol Bengis, which is dated Dec. 18, 2017. Bengis entry into the Yankee family began as a 14-year old bat boy with the legendary Yankees team 1959. "the years I was with the Yankees were, beside being with my family, the most exciting years of my life." Bengis said. He is now unfortunately no longer with us, but his teenage days were vivid to him all of his life. He worked with Yankees greats like Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle and more. The pinstripes he said, feel like part of his skin, and putting on a uniform any day would bring back memories of his first time as a 14-year old. Bengis grew up in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, on Morris Ave., about 10 blocks away, and idolized Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.