Bill Dickey didn’t have enough fingers to hold all of his World Series rings. The legendary catcher joined the New York Yankees in 1928, played through the early 1940s before entering military service and then served as a manager and coach. During his time in pinstripes, Dickey won an astonishing 13 World Series titles.
Now, one of the best known photos of the catching icon, the same one used in production of his 1940 and 1941 Play Ball bubble gum cards, is on the auction block. RMY Auctions is offering the 4×6” image taken by noted photographer George Burke in its current auction. Burke’s stamp is on the back of the photo, which dates to 1939.
Dickey played for the Yanks from the summer of 1928 through the 1943 season, earning 11 All-Star appearances. He rejoined the Yankees after the war, serving as manager and later a coach who was instrumental in the development of future Yankee stars Yogi Berra and Elston Howard.
Fellow Hall of Famer Bob Feller called Dickey the best catcher he ever saw. “He was as good as anyone behind the plate, and better with the bat. There are others I’d include right behind Dickey, but he was the best all-around catcher of them all.”
Bidding for over 400 photos continues through Saturday at RMYAuctions.com.