This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/1/2002.
Ted Kluszewski was a hitter ahead of his time; like several present-day sluggers, Klu bulked up to a point at which his team, the Cincinnati Reds, was eventually forced to produce sleeveless jerseys to accommodate his bulging biceps. Unlike several sluggers, though, Kluszewski's game was multi-dimensional. He hit .300 seven times during his career, led NL first basemen in fielding percentage on five consecutive occasions, and averaged 43 home runs and 116 RBI per year from 1953-56. Kluszewski wore this Cincinnati Reds home flannel jersey during the 1948 season, his rookie year. In the neck of the jersey is the "MacGregor GoldSmith" manufacturer's tag with the size "46." Below this is a white felt patch with "Kluszewski 1 48" sewn on in red chain stitch, representing player name, set number, and year, respectively. Inside the right front tail is a white felt patch with "1 48" in red chain stitch, representing set number and year, respectively. The red, white, and black Cincinnati Reds logo felt patch has been sewn onto the left breast. The player number "18" appears on the back of the jersey in red on black felt. The jersey's tagging and stitching are consistent with other Cincinnati Reds jerseys from that era. The jersey shows good game use with consistent, even wear and some minor stains. It appears to have no alterations of any kind.