1979 was a down year for the storied Yankees franchise. They had captured the two previous World Series but had only enough to muster a fourth place finish. Far more importantly to Yankees fans it marked the beloved Thurman Munson’s final appearance in the famed pinstripes, because on August 2, Munson died in a plane crash while practicing takeoffs and landings in his new twin engine Cessna Citation jet. Many Yankees accomplished more statistically but none captured the hearts of the fans any more than he did. Official Rawlings AL (MacPhail) ball was signed during the last month of Munson’s life. Billy Martin is here on the sweet spot. Martin came back to manage the Yankees in mid-season, one of his many arrivals and departures as manager of the Yankees under Steinbrenner. Ball is NRMT (label faded and one small spot). The 34 signatures in blue ballpoint average 7-8/10 and include Martin, Munson, Jackson, Berra, Brown, Hunter, Nettles, Randolph, Gossage, Kaat, Guidry and John.