1958 Ted Williams Game Worn Boston Red Sox Jersey, MEARS A7.5....

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

The Kid becomes baseball history's oldest batting champion!

1958 Ted Williams Game Worn Boston Red Sox Jersey, MEARS A7.5. Despite becoming the oldest batting champion in Major League history in 1957, Ted Williams spent the first months of the 1958 season immersed in innuendo both spoken and printed that Father Time had finally claimed the sport's most proficient hitter. As June turned to July, the legendary left fielder finally lifted himself to the .300 mark for the first time in the 1958 season, and that ascent continued, gaining speed after the celebration of his fortieth birthday on August 30th, until a two-for-four performance on the last day of the season ended the surge at a high-water mark of .328

The figure would earn Teddy Ballgame his sixth and final American League batting title, thus breaking his own record as oldest player ever to claim a Silver Bat, a distinction he owns to this day. Presented is an extraordinary opportunity to own a home white flannel jersey from that historic campaign, the last season of dominance for "the greatest hitter that ever lived."

The classic jersey design is one of the most recognizable in American sports, with "Red Sox" arching gently across the chest in red and navy felt, giving way to the immortal number "9" affixed to verso. Double red piping runs the cuffs, button path and collar, and lower left front tail reveals proper "Tim McAuliffe Inc." manufacturer's labeling above a size "46" tag and "58" embroidered year swatch.

The jersey exhibits "light to moderate" game wear according to the experts at MEARS, who deduct a point from the rating for assessment. A full point is deducted for four replaced buttons, though MEARS acknowledges that these appear to be period/team changes. Less than an inch of the rear numeral has become loose from the anchor stitching, accounting for the final half-point lost. None of these issues detract from aesthetics in any regard and it must be stressed that the garment presents far better than its technical rating.

Adding to display value is the addition of a matching pair of pants worn by manager Pinky Higgins in 1958, and a pair of team stirrups from the same period, worn by player unknown. A full-sized mannequin could thus complete a compelling ensemble to anchor even the finest of private uniform collections. LOA from MEARS, A7.5. LOA from Heritage Auctions.