This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/25/2015.
Roberto Clemente was to Latin American ballplayers what Jackie Robinson was to African American ballplayers. Over 18 major league seasons, Clemente compiled a .317 lifetime batting average winning 4 batting titles, 12 Gold Glove awards, 12 times NL All-Star and was elected the NL MVP in 1966 and World Series MVP in 1971. In 1960, Clemente hit .314 and helped lead Pittsburgh to the World Championship over the Yankees, where he hit safely in every game. In 1973, Clemente became the first Latin American ballplayer to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Not only was Clemente one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, but his charitable acts were legendary. In 1972, a few short months after Clemente collected his 3,000th hit, he was tragically killed in an airplane crash en route to earthquake-ravaged Managua, Nicaragua, as chairman of the Nicaraguan Relief Committee. On the inner left rear tail is the “Rawlings” manufacturer’s tag with size “40”, which measures out slightly larger. Adjacent to the right is a tag with the wash instructions. This was a consistent placement for Rawlings on all of their early knits up to and including 1973. The size “40” is consistent with other Clemente knits along with size 42. The absence of a year tag is also consistent with Pirates jerseys from this era. The sleeve trim is done in the traditional Pirates black, white and gold. The neck trim is the stretched braided material in classic old gold and black. Across the front reads “PIRATES”. Adjacent below and on the back is Clemente’s number “21”. All lettering and numbering is done in black on gold tackle twill. This jersey is 100% original and unaltered. The shortened tail, which is consistent with other known exemplars, was a Clemente specification. There are also other Clemente knits, which feature a longer length variation, however both are acceptable on Clemente. This rare Clemente jersey is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows excellent use with slight fading/discoloration due to wash/wear. Accompanied by an additional LOA.