This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2015.
Joseph Paul DiMaggio played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. Joltin’ Joe was a three-time MVP winner and 13-time All-Star (the only player to be selected for the All-Star Game in every season he played). In his thirteen seasons, the Yankees won 10 Pennants and 9 World Championships. At the time of his retirement, he had the fifth-most career home runs (361) and sixth-highest slugging percentage (.579) in history. A 1969 poll conducted to coincide with the centennial of professional baseball voted him the sport's greatest living player. The Yankee Clipper is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak (May 15–July 16, 1941), a record that still stands today. DiMaggio batted .408 during the streak, with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. After his streak ended, DiMaggio began another streak the next day that lasted 17 games, giving him the distinction of hitting safely in 73 of 74 games, also a record. Today, DiMaggio's streak is considered a uniquely outstanding and unbreakable record. DiMaggio was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955 and his number “5” will never be worn again in the Bronx, forever residing in Monument Park beside Ruth, Gehrig and The Mick. On the inner rear collar is the “SPALDING” manufacturer’s tag. Adjacent to the right is a white strip tag with the size “44” in red. Adjacent below is a grey felt strip tag with the name “DiMaggio” chain-stitched in navy blue. Across the front reads “NEW YORK”. Across the back is DiMaggio’s iconic number “5”. All lettering and numbering on this beautiful flannel is done in the same navy blue felt. DiMaggio has signed the front left mid-section in blue marker, in our opinion the large signature rates close to a perfect 10. The tagging is spot on and is an exact match to known authentic exemplars. This shirt was originally sold by Hunt Auctions and then subsequently again by Grey Flannel in 2002. At the time of our auction, our panel of experts deemed it to be game-used. Later on, Dave Grob was unable to authenticate it as such due to the placement of “NEW YORK” across the chest, but believes it to be original as issued. This shirt is being offered as a game jersey only, the capacity in which it was worn or if it was ever worn, is not being opined upon. Accompanied by a Full JSA LOA and a photo of DiMaggio signing this magnificent all-original flannel.