This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/30/2005.
Ask someone in the 1970s and 1980s to name a manager of the Yankees and it is likely the name BILLY MARTIN would be the response. One of baseballs best managers, Martin was a driven individual whose energy for the game helped coin the phrase "Billy Ball." Martin had played for the Yankees in the 1950s, and first joined the club as Manager in 1975. He quickly took charge and guided the Yankees to three straight World Series and two World Championships (1977-1978). Martin was also one of the sport's most "colorful" characters, a trait that seemed to constantly get him in trouble with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and others. Martin was hired and fired five times - he holds the major league record of having five different terms as manager of one ball club. Martin's career record as a manager, which included stints at Detroit, Minnesota, Oakland and Texas, was 1253-1013 - a .553 winning percentage. On the inside right front waistband is the "Wilson" manufacturers tag with wash instructions and the pants size "33" on it. Adjacent to that is an additional manufacturers tag with "Martin 77 1 22" in script embroidered in navy blue thread. The pants show good wear with several dirt stains on the left seat of the pants. The pants appear to have no alterations of any kind. Accompanied by a Yankees Steiner letter.