Auction Item Details
Lot 260
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Lot Number: 260
Description: UPDATED DESCRIPTION: Historically Important 1980 World Series Tug McGraw Philadelphia Phillies professional model home jersey: Photomatched to the Iconic Game #6 Clinching Final Out (MeiGray Photomatch). In 1883, the Philadelphia Phillies were approved for membership with the National League circuit. Over the course of the next 100 years the franchise endured a challenging duration of beleaguered seasons sprinkled in with period of tantalizing yet unfulfilled success. However, beginning in the 1970s the franchise began to build a sustained run of quality teams led by several important players who contributed to a growing kinship amongst their ever loyal fan base. Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Larry Bowa, and Bob Boone were several of a key number of players who brought the club into contention for several National League pennants but could not quite take that final trip to the World Series. After the Phillies acquired coveted free agent Pete Rose in 1979 and several young players joined the roster along with a new manager Dallas Green the team was poised to make a more formidable run for the 1980 season. Although the Phillies endured a bit of an up and down season they finished very strong to outlast their division rivals the Montreal Expos by one game to take the NL Eastern Division. They moved on to face the NL Western Division champion Houston Astros in what many consider to be the greatest non World Series MLB postseason series in the history of the game. Four of the five games went into extra innings in a see-saw contest between the two teams which was fraught with tense moments and iconic plays. Philadelphia prevailed and advanced to just their third World Series appearance in their nearly 100 year history. The Phillies would attempt to win their first World Championship against the American League Champion Kansas City Royals led by AL MVP George Brett. The series was very competitive but ultimately strong pitching and some very timely hitting pushed the Series back to Philadelphia for a sixth game with the Phillies just one victory away from a title. National League Cy Young award winner Steve Carlton took the mound and dispatched the Royals through eight strong innings leaving the field with a 4-0 lead. When Carlton ran into some trouble in the top of the eighth inning Phillies' manager Dallas Green summoned for their star closer Tug McGraw. McGraw had joined the Phillies in 1975 after coming over from the New York Mets. His charismatic demeanor and dogged blue collar style made McGraw a perfect fit for the Philadelphia fans and quickly became a beloved fan favorite. The Phillies had rode McGraw heavily throughout the regular season and into the postseason appearing in all five NLCS games saving two of them. The Tugger's significance to the team appropriately took center stage as they entered the World Series against the Kansas City Royals. McGraw enjoyed a brilliant beginning with a two inning save in game one and collecting the win in game five surrounding a tough extra inning loss in game three. In an ending befitting of Philadelphia's fans and the pitcher who wore their hearts on his sleeve it could only come down to Tug McGraw in the decisive sixth game. Steve Carlton held the Royals at bay for seven innings until the first two batters in the eight inning reached base. The signal was given for McGraw to come in and try to secure the Phillies first world championship. He worked through three instances of bases loaded while only surrendering one run to secure the first five outs. Willie Wilson stepped up to the plate with an opportunity to make history even after striking out eleven times during the previous games. McGraw later admitted that he was running on fumes and yet mustered the resolve to get Wilson to a two strike count. At 11:29 EST on October 21, 1980, McGraw through a belt high fastball under Wilson's swing to complete the magical season for the Phillies and claim their inaugural World Series championship. Tug leaped straight up in the air with his trademark 'arms up' victory pose before his jubilant teammates engulfed him in celebration. For the ardent and long suffering fans of the Philadelphia Phillies, McGraw's leap toward the heavens represented the euphoria and utter relief that several generations of the faithful had endured. Tug McGraw was one them and they received him as such with an endearment reserved for scant few figures in the rich sports tapestry of the city. That moment of joy and Tug's iconic leap in Phillies pinstriped home jersey perpetually ranks either at the top or selectively close to the most important single moments in Philadelphia Sports history. For decades, regional historians and collectors alike had opined as to the whereabouts for significant artifacts from that hallowed sixth game. Final out baseball, Tug's hat, or idyllically that very Phillies jersey worn as McGraw's arms reached for the sky. Forty five years and several months after that historic final out, we are pleased to present Tug McGraw's 1980 World Series Game #6 Philadelphia Phillies professional model home jersey. Classic white knit zipper front jersey with red pinstriping displays its original "45" uniform number and "P" team insignia across the front in maroon tackle twill. Matching "45" uniform number is positioned below "McGraw" name lettering in maroon tackle twill on a white nameplate. Strip tag with "McGraw" chain stitched on front is affixed inside the collar area with proper Wilson manufacturer's label showing size 42 indicator on tail front. Additional "80 2" year and set chain stitched strip tag also found on tail front. The shirt exhibits evident use including general surface mild surface wear and some perspiration residue inside the collar area remaining in ideal all original condition. The jersey originated from the personal collection of a young man whose family was acquainted with former Phillies owner Ruly Carpenter. In 1978 as an athlete in high school, the young man has torn his ACL and at the behest of Carpenter was invited to rehab with the Phillies training staff. Over time he developed a relationship with a number of Phillies players including Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, and Tug McGraw during his weights sessions at which point they encouraged him to persevere and he would recover. Fast forward to several years later where the now 19 year old young man was given an all access pass for game six of the 1980 World Series by Ruly Carpenter. After the historic clinching game which gave the franchise their first World Championship he went down into the locker room to join the team in the celebration. After the scene calmed down a bit Tug McGraw came to him and said, "Here, take it." as he took off his jersey and handed it to the humbled young athlete. During that same evening he was also given a game used bat from by Mike Schmidt which is also offered within this same auction. He proceeded to retain both items and drove Ruly Carpenter's brother Keith home from the stadium that night. The jersey has been carefully preserved within the original recipient's personal collection for over 45 years residing in a drawer save for the occasional show and tell at his children's school! Also included with the jersey: 1) Original recipient's Phillies clubhouse pass for the 1980 World Series Game #s 6 and 7 which was autographed for him by George Brett in the period on the back. 2) 1980 Philadelphia Phillies World Series team signed baseball with twenty five signatures incl. Rose, Schmidt, Carlton, and Green ranging from 2-5 out of 10. Upon the recent discovery of the jersey it was submitted to MeiGray Authentication for photomatch comparison. The jersey was determined to conclusively match the shirt worn by Tug McGraw on October 21, 1980 during the sixth and clinching game of the 1980 World Series. Numerous comparative feature points between the original jersey and period images/video were confirmed as exact photomatches by MeiGray. It was further determined by MeiGray that McGraw did wear one other home jersey in the 1980 World Series during game one which , while similar to the subject jersey, was confirmed to be a different shirt with distinct characteristics versus the offered game six shirt. Perhaps no other specific athletic moment in the long and rich history of Philadelphia sports is more indelibly branded into the hearts of its fans. Tug McGraw's leap into the air was so much more than celebrating a single victory, but rather a much more broad exhale of jubilation and achievement to be shared by all of the sports fans of the city's faithful. There have, and will be, other moment of glorious sports moments in the continued story of the City of Brotherly Love, but there will only be one "first" such moment of the significance represented by the offered jersey. IMPORTANT UPDATE: “Our family is thrilled that the jersey our dad wore for the final out of the 1980 World Series — the strikeout of Willie Wilson on October 21st at Veterans Stadium — has finally surfaced. For more than four decades there has been mystery around what happened to that jersey, and we are grateful to have the rest of the story. Tug would appreciate the incredible story of its re-emergence more than anyone. We are also moved by the generosity of the gentleman who has preserved this jersey for 45 years and is now directing a portion of the proceeds to support the ALS Hope Foundation. That spirit of giving is what makes this moment meaningful for everyone, and it carries a particular resonance in baseball — a game that has always remembered Lou Gehrig. On our side, the family will be supporting the Tug McGraw Foundation in connection with this auction — carrying forward our father’s legacy through its work with families affected by brain-related trauma and tumors. Two causes, two families, one jersey — it’s a fitting tribute to the Tugger, a man who lived every moment with joy and gave back to others throughout his life. Ya Gotta Believe!”—from the Tug McGraw Family. Includes LOA from MeiGray (Photomatch), LOA from Hunt Auctions (jersey),original Phillies clubhouse pass as issued to original recipient for 1980 World Series Game #s 6 and 7 which has been signed by George Brett on the back, auction LOA from JSA (Brett autograph), auction LOA from JSA (1980 Phillies team baseball), and notarized letter of provenance from the original recipient of the jersey: EXEstimated Price Range: ($300,000+)
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