In the four-page document — signed “Mickey C. Mantle” and dated Feb. 23, 1953 — the slugger agreed to render his “skilled services as a baseball player” for $17,500. He listed his hometown as “Commerce, Okla.” The document is countersigned by general manager George Weiss.

Mantle had moved to center field in 1952 to replace Joe DiMaggio, and led the Bronx Bombers to their fourth consecutive World Series win. They won again in ‘53.

The papers were sold as part of an auction by Boston-based RR Auction which also included lots featuring a Lou Gehrig-signed 1927 Yankees payroll check for $707.52, which went for $28,733.