New York Yankee Idols

Jay Baker is an exceptionally philanthropic resident of Naples.  There is currently an exhibition at Baker Museum (named after generous gifts from Jay and his wife Patti) of New York Yankee memorabilia collected by Jay Baker.  It was fun to see, although a bit painful for this Boston Red Sox fan. 

Rooms of memorabilia were organized around five Yankees:  Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Derek Jeter.

The Babe Ruth room featured a video of the Babe's farewell ceremony and a photo of him wearing a batting championship crown.

The highlights of Lou Gehrig's room were a photo and video of his memorable goodbye speech ("Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth").

Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio were honored with the plaques that had been placed on Yankee Stadium's center field fence; Mantle insisted that his hero's plaque should be placed higher.

Jay Baker has also collected DiMaggio's 1939 "Sultan of Swat" crown and Mantle's 1962 gold glove (awarded to the best fielders).

Jeter's memorabilia were organized around a wall-sized photo taken at his retirement ceremony.