Auction Item Details
Lot 209
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Lot Number: 209
Description: Important and Historic Bill Mazeroski 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series game worn home uniform. Cream color flannel vest style jersey and matching pants as worn by Bill Mazeroski during the 1960 World Series including during the dramatic Game #7 walk off home run. Jersey retains its original "Pirates" black on gold lettering across the front with original "9" in like color format on the reverse. Rawlings "Hall of Fame Flannel" manufacturer's label remains affixed to the tail front along with small "44" size tag beneath which is chain stitched, "Mazeroski 9 60". Original wash instructions tagging is found inside tail front. Matching pants retain identical Rawlings "Hall of Fame Flannel" tagging inside the waistband alongside wash instructions tag. Two separate strip tags are sewn into the waistband with chain stitching including, "9 36 25ins 60" (uniform #, size, and year) and "Mazeroski". The jersey exhibits appropriate use while remaining in outstanding overall condition having bright color and strong visual eye appeal. Scattered areas of light staining are found predominantly across the front of the jersey which based upon period photography we can almost definitively attribute to the champagne with which Mazeroski was doused in the Pirates locker room. Pants display similar use consistent with the jersey inclusive of several stains that appear to be from the locker room champagne. As specifically recounted by Bill Mazeroski, after the euphoria on the field he retreated through the Pirates dugout and into the locker room where he was besieged with jubilant teammates and numerous newspaper reporters. This is corroborated by period photography and on field video. It was around this time point that he was given a "champagne bath" by his teammates which is also confirmed by period photography. In several instances of these period images there are distinct matching characteristic points between the offered jersey and image. One example in particular definitively pinpoints the offered jersey as being the one worn by Mazeroski in that historic game. The photo is a vintage sepia tone 8"x10" image picturing Mazeroski shaking hands with teammate Gino Cimoli. In the photo several unique matching points are clearly visible including two small stitching anomalies on the "R" in Pirates as well as the unique spacing between the 'branches' of the "T" in Pirates. Additionally, at the bottom of the tail area in the photograph the chain stitching matching the offered jersey is visible along with "44" sizing label pictured above. Button hole positioning as it relates to the affixed jersey lettering is also identical in both Game #s 1 and 7 photographs. Another wonderful piece of further confirmation of the jersey's use in World Series play is a period sepia tone 8"x10" image picturing Mazeroski hugging Dick Groat after Game #1 played in Forbes Field. In that image the identical matching characteristics are succinctly visible providing valuable confirmation documenting the "bookend" use of the jersey in Game #s 1 and 7 of the 1960 World Series. As referenced within other areas of this catalogue, the 1960 World Series Game #7 walk off home run stands to date as one of the most iconic moments in the history of the game. This uniform has remained with Bill Mazeroski for the past 53 years carefully stored and preserved in its original state since being taken off on that historic afternoon. The significance of this uniform and the moment it represents simply cannot be overstated. It is with confidence that we can rank its import as one of , and quite likely singular, the finest uniforms ever offered as related to a specific significant baseball event. Its unimpeachable primary source provenance coupled with period photographic documentation only further enhance its desirability both in value and ironclad authenticity. Museum quality offering in every respect of the terminology and it is our privilege to have been afforded the honor of offering same. The jersey is not currently autographed but will be signed by Bill Mazeroski if so desired by the winning bidder. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions, LOA from MEARS Authentication - Graded MEARS Perfect A10, several period photographs from Bill Mazeroski's personal collection picturing the jersey, and detailed notarized letter of provenance from Bill Mazeroski: EXEstimated Price Range: (Estimate Upon Request)
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