Auction Item Details
Lot 155
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Lot Number: 155
Description: Significant Lefty Grove Philadelphia Athletics professional model hat c.1929-33. Lefty Grove began his baseball career in the sandlots of Baltimore, Maryland during the 1910-20s era. His legend grew to such heights that scouts and baseball officials alike were referring to him as one of the finest pitchers they had encountered before he had even played a day at the Major League level. In 1925, Balt. Orioles owner, Jack Dunn, finally agreed to sell the rights to Grove to the Philadelphia Athletics for a record $100,500, which, for the time, was an enormous amount of money. Grove would not disappoint. In addition to his lofty career statistics, all of which place Grove at the top of many categories, he accomplished a feat that best captures the sheer dominance he displayed during the period. During the 1928 season, Grove struck out the other side, twice, on just nine pitches. To place this feat in perspective, only two pitchers since have done this once: Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan. No pitcher has managed it twice other than Grove. Offered is an outstanding uniform item once worn by Lefty Grove as a member of the Phila. Athletics. The white bodied hat with blue bill displays its original "A" logo on the front. The interior retains its original leather headband, which exhibits evident use including 'buckling' from perspiration and wear. Spalding mfg. stampings remain visible within the leather band, and "Grove" chain stitching in the leather remains fully intact with appropriate wear. Overall condition is outstanding given its age and original materials, with a small area of loss to the top center of the bill, and some general light soiling from period use. To our knowledge, this is the only surviving Lefty Grove game used hat extant and is one of the finest Hall of Fame member game hats to have entered the hobby. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions, Inc: EX
Estimated Price: ($20,000.00-$30,000.00)
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