This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/25/2015.
Hall of Famer John McGraw played in the MLB for 16 seasons but is most remembered for his marvelous accomplishments as the long-time manager of the New York Giants. His 2,763 managerial wins ranks second overall behind only Connie Mack’s monumental 3,731 wins. His .586 win percentage ranks 4th all-time for managers with 1,000 or more wins. McGraw’s Giants won the NL pennant 10 times and were crowned World Series Champions three times (1905, 1921, 1922). In 1921, the New York Yankees and the New York Giants both called the Polo Grounds their home. Coincidentally, the two teams were crowned Champions of the American and National Leagues and would face off in the World Series. This marked the first time the Series was played entirely within the confines of one ballpark, with the two clubs alternating from game to game as the home team. It happened again the following year in the same place with the same two teams. The 1921 World Series featured 10 future Hall of Famers: McGraw, Ross Youngs, George "High Pockets" Kelly, Dave Bancroft, Frank Frisch and Casey Stengel of the Giants–Babe Ruth, Miller Huggins, Waite Hoyt and Frank "Home Run" Baker of the Yankees. The Giants ultimately won the Series five games to three, this was the last season of the experimental best-of-nine series (1919-21). It was the franchise’s second title and the first of back-to-back Championships for McGraw and the Giants. This cap has been in our consignor’s collection for over 40 years. The inside of the leather band features the “Spalding” manufacturer’s stamp as well as the manager’s name “J. McGraw” chain-stitched in faded green thread that now appears tan. The hat measures approximately 23-1/2” around on the inside giving the it a 7-½ cap size. On the front of the cap is a navy interlocking “NY” logo stitched onto the grey wool hat. Short navy brim with eight stitch lines that join the fabric to form the bill. The cap was dated to the 1921 season using a combined approach of analyzing the construction, player identification and the manufacturer’s stamping. Furthermore, we believe this combination of road gray wool cap with navy blue bill, sans pinstriping was unique to the 1921 season. This cap is properly stamped, was presented to us as manager’s worn and shows excellent wear. The cap is in fantastic all-original condition–a true relic of the game.