Auction Item Details
Lot 148a
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Lot Number: 148a
Description: Important 1966 Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers professional model home jersey (World Series Season) (Cy Young) (Final Season) (MEARS A9). The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 1966 season as the favorite in the National League following their 1965 World Championship. The golden arm of Sandy Koufax had led the way to the Dodgers' success in the 1960s but was suffering greatly from an arthritic condition. Doctors has advised Koufax to retire to which he responded with a 1966 campaign that saw him pitch 323 innings with a record of 27-9 and ERA of 1.73. Pitching on two days rest, Koufax hurled the second game of a double header on the final day of the season in a must win situation clinching the NL pennant for the Dodgers. Although the 1966 NL season was a gleaming success for Sandy Koufax winning his third Cy Young Award the Dodgers fell to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. The most accomplished pitcher in the prestigious history of the Dodgers franchise left the game befitting of his mythical skill retiring after the 1966 season. Offered is a stunning Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers professional model home jersey dating to that very season of 1966. Classic cream color flannel jersey retains its original "Dodgers" royal blue team name across the front with red "32" beneath. Back of the jersey retains its original blue "32" numerals. Proper "Tim McAuliffe Inc." tagging is found affixed to the tail front with appropriate "66" and "44" year/set tagging. In the case of many McAuliffe jerseys of the period, most notably Dodgers and Giants, player names are typically seen chain stitched onto the fabric on the tail area near the manufacturer's tagging. This lack of name tagging is seen occasionally on Dodgers jerseys and is normally the case for Red Sox jerseys. This manufacturing anomaly is mentioned for accuracy only and is addressed in detail within the MEARS authentication report which has assessed an overall grade of A9 to the shirt. Overall condition presents in outstanding original state with appropriate indications of moderate wear consistent with use by a pitcher. The wear includes light "thinning" to the surface of the fabrics and minor soiling to a few areas of the jersey. Small portion of the stitching has slightly separated at the base of the "3" on the back of the jersey further corroborating its age and use. The jersey was acquired by a former MLB executive in 1973 (who lived in the Los Angeles area at the time) and has remained within his collection until the current offering. Additionally, the executive was a good acquaintance with long time Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Buzzie Bavasi. In 1975, Bavasi became aware of the offered Koufax jersey within the collection of the consignor and in jest sent the executive a charming and satirical official MLB typed communiquÄ. The note was hand signed by Buzzie and dated July 31, 1975 teasing him that he "owed" Buzzie a check for $56.00 payable to him for the "stolen" uniform. The significance and desirability of the offered Koufax game jersey cannot be overstated. With regard to condition, dating period to Koufax's final season, primary source provenance, and scant surviving supply of authentic Koufax game jerseys place this particular specimen among the very finest having been previously offered. Magnificent rarity of the highest desirability. Includes LOA from MEARS Authentication (Grade A9), LOA from Hunt Auctions, Letter of Provenance from the former MLB Executive, and copy of the 1975 note from Bavasi to the MLB Executive: EX-MTEstimated Price Range: ($150,000-$300,000)
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