1968 Al Kaline World Series Game Worn Detroit Tigers Jersey -- SGC Excellent & Photo Matched!...

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Sold on Feb 22, 2025 for:

$122,000.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder

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Mr. Tiger starts a comeback for the ages!

1968 Al Kaline World Series Game Worn Detroit Tigers Jersey -- SGC Excellent & Photo Matched! While the 1968 Detroit Tigers season is today best remembered for Denny McLain's glorious American League Cy Young and MVP honors, and what will almost certainly stand for eternity as the last thirty-win season in the Majors, that dominant ace would fall to Bob Gibson in both the first and fourth games of the World Series that year to set the stage for a heroic turn by the club's most celebrated post-war figure. With Detroit down three games to one and trailing by a run in the bottom of the seventh in Game Five, Al Kaline would step to the plate and deliver a two-run single to stave off elimination and send the Series back to St. Louis, where the Tigers would complete their unlikely comeback to claim the World Championship in seven.

By the time the dust had cleared on that thrilling Fall Classic, Kaline's stat line stood at .379 with eleven hits, eight RBI's and six runs scored. The World Series MVP Award would have certainly been his if not for pitcher Mickey Lolich's three complete-game victories.

Presented is a home white flannel that has been matched to an undated photograph at Tiger Stadium during the 1968 World Series, arguably the high-water mark of Kaline's career, as he'd retire in 1974 with only a single World Championship for his twenty-two years of Motor City service. It emerges from the personal collection of longtime Tigers scout Bob Prentice, who acquired the jersey during 1969 spring training in Lakeland, Florida. One of many jerseys retained by Prentice over his lengthy tenure with the team, it was released by the family to the hobby in the spring of 2024.

The jersey is an elegant and understated classic, with the team logo Old English letter "D" affixed over the heart and a number "6" on the back in deep navy tackle twill. A single band of soutache matches the shade as it runs the course of the button path and collar. Lower left front tail is tagged, "Wilson [size] 42" above a "1968 Set 1" secondary label. Barely visible at interior collar is a handwritten "Prentice" applied by its second owner. Game wear is consistent with its term of service from its delivery for wear in the World Series (a common practice as teams preferred to put their best foot forward for the postseason rather than wear uniforms dulled by a full season of use) through the subsequent spring training. The absence of a 1969 MLB Centennial patch, or any indication of its removal, validates the Prentice contention that it was acquired during 1969 spring training. Lacking any of the staining or moth damage common to decades-old flannel, the jersey presents spectacularly. LOA from SGC, Excellent. Photo match LOA from Sports Investors Authentication. LOA from Heritage Auctions.