1968 Willie Mays Autographed San Francisco Giants Game Worn Home Jersey (MEARS A9.5)
Arguably the greatest all-around player in baseball history, Willie Mays demonstrated a combination of speed, power and athleticism seldom seen before or since. During his prolific tenure playing in center field with the New York and San Francisco Giants, Willie Mays “The Say Hey Kid” won two MVP awards (1954 and ’65) and shares the record for most All-Star Games played (24) with both Hank Aaron and Stan Musial. Ted Williams himself once said, "They invented the All-Star Game for Willie Mays." Mays ended his career with 660 home runs, third all-time upon his retirement, and currently fifth all-time. Though he ranks among the top ten all-time in virtually every significant offensive category, Mays’ statistics still only scarcely express his greatness on the diamond.
By every measure used to assess game used baseball garments, the offered San Francisco Giants home jersey worn by Willie Mays in 1968, is superb. The white flannel home jersey has “GIANTS” arched across the chest in black and orange felt, and the sleeve and neck openings are trimmed with orange and black. The lower left front tail carries a “Wilson 1968 SET 1” tag above a Wilson size “42” tag, the likes of which were only used during the 1968 season. Further validating the jersey’s 1968 dating is the absence of any player nametag in the collar, a feature that was omitted on jerseys supplied to the Giants by Wilson in 1968 and 1969. The back has Mays’ iconic number “24” in orange and black felt. The jersey’s usage traits are ideal with moderate game and wash wear evident and light pine tar and turf staining adding to its character. Mays has signed the front left chest in black marker. A 1969 Centennial patch was once sewn to the left sleeve of the jersey, and this has been professionally removed and is included with the jersey. The presence of the 1969 patch may indicate that this jersey was handed down to a Giants minor league team after Mays had retired it. The jersey comes with a LOA from MEARS/Dave Grob and has been graded a near-perfect A9.5. Also included with this jersey is a LOA from hobby pioneer Dick Dobbins of San Francisco Giants Memorabilia. There is also a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication for the signature.
This exceptional gamer demonstrates magnificent display quality and is without question, among the finest May’s jerseys of its era we’ve seen in the marketplace.
