LOT #53075 |
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Circa 1974-75 Johnny Bench Game Worn Cincinnati Reds Jersey, SGC Superior....
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Sold on Aug 27, 2022 for:
$26,400.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
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Description
A spectacular Big Red Machine specimen!
Circa 1974-75 Johnny Bench Game Worn Cincinnati Reds Jersey, SGC
Superior. It's more than just a catchy nickname that has
assured a special degree of immortality for the Cincinnati Reds
teams that won back-to-back World Championships in the mid-1970's.
The Big Red Machine represented a staggering assembly of elite
talent virtually unprecedented in the history of Major League
Baseball, with sixty-five All-Star appearances among the everyday
starters. Three of those men share Hall of Fame immortality with
their legendary manager. Another is Cooperstown's most notable
absence.But the name of the thousand-horsepower engine powering that unstoppable juggernaut can be found on the back of this road grey knit, worn by a man widely regarded as the greatest player ever to don the mask and vest. Despite the enormous physical toll of the position, the skull-rattling foul tips, the jammed fingers, the swelter of the protective gear, Bench outproduced even the Hit King in 1975, driving in 110 runs and launching twenty-eight home runs to lead the Reds. Behind the plate, his rocket arm kept all but the most daring base thieves tethered to their bags.
The solid game wear apparent upon the offered garment suggests a full season of use, although the experts at SGC, whose "Superior" rating is the very highest possible (equivalent to a 10), cannot attribute a definitive vintage, and this era of Reds jerseys lacked any year tagging that would solve the mystery. But the Reds used year tags through 1973, had none in 1974-76, and then went to Rawlings (which also had year tags) in 1977. The absence of a bicentennial patch on the right sleeve (or a stitching outline signaling its removal) takes 1976 out of contention, leaving the two-season span as listed as the only possibilities.
The classic design features red tackle twill on grey knit, with "Cincinnati 5" at obverse and "Bench 5" at verso. Lower left interior rear tail holds "Wilson [size] 44" label. Some staining at left sleeve may be pine tar. A magnificent representation from the man atop many experts' lists of the greatest catchers of all time. LOA from SGC, Superior. LOA from Heritage Auctions.
Auction Info
2022 August 27 - 28 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction #50058 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2022
27th-28th
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 20
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 735
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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