This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/16/2007.
Before a tragic 1972 plane crash ended his life, Roberto Clemente amassed four batting titles and exactly 3000 hits while earning acclaim for his powerful arm in right field. The all-around superstar won the 1966 National League MVP award and was awarded an astounding 12 Gold Gloves. For his incredible play as well as his dedicated humanitarianism, Clemente was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame following a special election in 1973. This jersey was worn by Clemente during the 1970 season, in which the Pirates became the first team to wear experimental knits rather than flannels. Every other team would convert to knits within the next two years. The jersey was custom manufactured for Clemente, who specifically requested that his knit jerseys be made shorter, and is made of a cotton material that expanded to the player's body when wet and shrunk when dry, similar to early Celtics basketball knits. On the inside left back tail is the "Rawlings" manufacturer's tag with the size "42" and to its right is the wash tag. The team name "Pirates" is sewn across the front of the jersey and the player number "21" is sewn onto both the left breast and back of the jersey. All of the letters and numbers are made of black on maize tackle twill. The jersey shows good game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind.