Auction Item Details
Lot 174
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Lot Number: 174
Description: Significant 1979 Thurman Munson New York Yankees home uniform. On Tuesday, July 24, 1979, the New York Yankees defeated the California Angels by a score of 6-5. The game was played before a crowd of 33,497, and frankly, nothing of significance occurred on the field. Thurman Munson played catcher, with one walk, a strikeout, and a flyout. During the game, Munson injured his legs during an awkward tumble to avoid an inside pitch from Angels' pitcher Mike Barlow. Although the Yankees played two more home games against the Angels on July 25th and 26th, Munson did not see game action on either evening. Although the July 24th contest was unremarkable at the time, it would turn out to be Thurman MunsonÆs final New York Yankees home game. The Yankees then went on the road for a six game trip from July 27th - August 1st through Milwaukee and Chicago. Munson primarily played either first base or designated hitter as a result of his injury. The offered New York Yankees home uniform remained in Thurman's Yankee Stadium locker, but would not again see game use as Thurman tragically passed away on August 2, 1979 in a plane crash. According to a team employee who was in contact with Diana Munson, the locker itself is believed to have been blessed by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his historic visit to Yankee Stadium in October of 1979. This jersey was one of the final Yankees home uniforms worn by Munson in game play. It has been photo matched and dated to the 1979 season (see detail photo). The jersey retains its original interlocked "NY" on the front in a navy blue tackle twill with original #15 on the back. Strip tag is affixed inside the collar with "Munson 79 2" chain stitched name/year/set tagging remaining fully intact. Wilson manufacturing tag remains affixed to the tail front. The jersey remains in 100% original unaltered condition exhibiting light to moderate use/wash wear. Matching pants also retains their original strip tag inside the waistband with "Munson 79 2 22" chain stitched name/year/set/size tagging. Pants appear to show slightly lighter use than the jersey suggesting they may not have been worn quite as much as the shirt. The uniform was given directly to Diana Munson after Thurman's passing by the New York Yankees, and has remained in her possession until its current offering. Thurman Munson home uniforms are very rare with only a handful of authentic examples surviving to date. Important uniform offering from an iconic New York Yankees player with unimprovable provenance and poignant history. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions and letter of provenance from Diana Munson: EX-MT
Estimated Price: ($75,000.00-$125,000.00)
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