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Mantle autograph authentic?

What do you guys think of this mantle ball ? Found this in a collection.  If it's not authentic what do I do with it ? Donate to little league ?  Can I sell it on eBay as a Commemorative Ball ?  Christmas ornament ? Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on July 25, 2018 at 7:42am

It's a common 1990s forgery style penned by the forger Greg Marino.

Destroy it or let the dog or kids play with it. Please do not try to sell it as commemorative or anything else. Take it out of circulation.

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on July 25, 2018 at 8:30am

awful forgery.   do you have a dog?

Permalink Reply by Mark Yenchko on July 25, 2018 at 8:44am

Does this go to the dog also ?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on July 25, 2018 at 9:11am

Unfortunately, yes.

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on July 25, 2018 at 9:40am

Sorry but yes. 

Permalink Reply by John Spillane on July 25, 2018 at 9:49am

Hey Mark,

Here are a few genuine ones I obtained over the years.

Permalink Reply by Mark Yenchko on July 25, 2018 at 12:15pm

Ouch. Wish I would have found this site sooner. Sent a bunch of Mantle, Williams, DiMaggio and others to PSA for authentication. Hopefully a few will come back as good. Thanks for your help guys  The balls pictured were purchased from Big Star Autographs out of Dallas purchased around 2000

I hope Mr Marino is in a jail cell somewhere. Am I allowed to say that here ?

Permalink Reply by John Spillane on July 25, 2018 at 1:26pm

Sure.1st amendment's always welcome. Anyway, Marino did time, but I think he's out now. Hey, if you ever get a chance, read the book "Operation Bullpen" by Kevin Nelson. A fascinating look at how the FBI brought down the biggest autograph forgery ring.

Also, because of the forgery ring, there are hundreds of thousands of forgeries still out there, today. Mantle, Williams, DiMaggio, are the big name forgeries. Balls, Pictures bats!! Especially on eBay!

Site member Christopher Williams is our foremost authority on the subject!

Permalink Reply by Mark Yenchko on July 25, 2018 at 6:18pm

I will definitely read the book as my brother in law trusted too many people and ended up spending a ton of money on Ruth, Gehrig, Wagner, Ott, etc balls that turned out to be bad. 

Btw Mantle's real signature is pretty awesome

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