This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/12/2013.
This jersey comes to us from Randy Benson, the son of Vernon Benson, former manager of the Portland Beavers, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Vernon Benson accepted the position of third base coach for the Cardinals midway through the '61 season and remained there through the 1964 World Series Championship season before following Johnny Keane to the Yankees to serve as first base coach. Randy also worked for the team in his youth, shagging fly balls in the outfield when the Cardinals were in town. Randy got to know Stan Musial on a personal basis and following spring training in 1965, where Musial served as an outfielder instructor, “Stan the Man” sent this very jersey to Randy Benson. The shirt is likely the first jersey worn by Steve Carlton (Hall of Fame Class of 1994); it was then reissued to Stan Musial (Hall of Fame Class of 1969). This is an extremely rare opportunity to own a jersey worn by two Hall of Famers. On the left front tail of the home flannel jersey is the “Rawlings” manufacturer’s tag with jersey size “42”. Adjacent below is “Carlton 65” embroidered in red chain stitch. Across the front is the “Cardinals on a Bat” logo embroidered in red and yellow chain stitch with a navy embroidered border. The coach’s number “6” appears on both front and back, both have been restored. There is a visible number change from “32” to “6”. The outline of “CARLTON” can be faintly seen on the back above the “6” where the original name was removed. The jersey is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and coach’s worn and in our opinion, shows use and wear. Accompanied by a LOA from Randy Benson. A historically significant jersey worn by two Hall of Famers.