1955 Bob Lemon Game Worn Cleveland Indians Jersey with Matching Pants....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Feb 23, 2019 for:

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Lemon tops Junior Circuit with eighteen victories!

1955 Bob Lemon Game Worn Cleveland Indians Jersey with Matching Pants.

UPDATE: Please note that this uniform is consigned by the Indians farm system minor leaguer who wore it as a hand-me-down in the Florida League in 1959. The handwritten "Walters" in the pants is his surname. His letter of provenance will attend.

For the second season in a row, and the third (and final) time of his Hall of Fame career, Lemon led the American League in victories in 1955, his eighteen wins resulting in a three-way tie with Yankees legend Whitey Ford and BoSox ace Frank Sullivan for the top spot. On an Indians pitching staff swimming in legends--Early Wynn, Bob Feller, Hal Newhouser--it was Lemon who led the Indians charge, finishing the season just three games off the Yankees pennant pace.

The presented home white flannel jersey exhibits heavy wear from that dominant season, though we suspect a degree is attributable to secondary use at the farm club level. It's important to stress that the garment remains in 100% original and unaltered condition however, the two-tone tackle twill "Indians" script on the chest, the now-retired number "21" on verso and the controversial Chief Wahoo patch on left sleeve all remaining in place. Lower left front tail finds a "Wilson [size] 42" label framed between an embroidered "1955" year swatch and cleaning instructions label. Top button is missing, and minimal rust staining and a small tear appear at collar/shoulder area, none causing significant distraction.

The matching pants are embroidered "1956" at interior crotch button path and may or may not have belonged to Lemon, but they'll be a perfect match for mannequin display of the full uniform. Handwritten notations inside the waistband, where "Wilson [size] 36" and a washing instructions label appear, confirm usage by multiple players. Wear is heavy, with team repairs, dye staining and scattered small holes. LOA from Heritage Auctions.