Love them or hate them, no collection of 1970s knit jerseys can ever be considered complete without one of these. These softball style uniforms were pure Bill Veeck. Offered for your consideration is one of the earliest versions manufactured by Rawlings dating to either the 1976 (first year of use) or 1977 season. These are only getting tougher to find and this one is virtually un-improvable at A9.5.
Subject: 1976-1977 Brian Downing Chicago White Sox Home Jersey
Size: Tagged as size 44 and this is the true size of the jersey. This was confirmed by both physical measurement and comparing the jersey on hand period Rawlings “Softball Style” Chicago White products in sizes 42 and 46.
As a point of reference, period sizing data for Downing from the 1976 Street and Smith yearbook lists him at 5’,10”; 185lbs. As such I would consider this jersey to be an appropriate sized one for Downing at this point in his career.
Manufacturer: The jersey is identified as a Rawlings product by the manufacturer's label (c1973-1984) in the rear collar of the jersey. Although there is no year/set tag (not atypical of these earliest Rawlings products), the shirt is dated to 1976-1977 based on the style and Downing’s tenure with the White Sox. Rawlings is the correct supplier of these jerseys to the Chicago White Sox as Capital Ace appears to have begun supplying these jerseys in 1980.
Construction: The pullover jersey is constructed of a polyester/nylon knit fabric and features Set-In sleeves and wide turn down collar. This is period correct and this style was introduced by the Chicago White Sox in 1976. All lettering and numbering is done in navy blue and is affixed with straight stitch applique. This is all period/team/manufacturer appropriate when compared to both images and on hand Rawlings Chicago White Sox exemplars (home and road).
Use/Wear/Condition: The jersey shows signs of moderate use and wear. The right rear shoulder area is lightly fleck stained, but this is really best seen when this portion of the garment is viewed under UV lighting. The front shoulders also feature some mild staining as well.
Opinion: In my opinion this jersey possesses all of the characteristics you would expect to see in uniform manufactured in the 1976-1977 timeframe by Rawlings for use and wear by Brian Downing.. The jersey is all original and free of any alterations.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted. I found this reason to deduct points.
Category 5: -.5 light staining
The staining mentioned above is very minor and does not affect the display of the jersey in a significant manner, but it does need to be noted and accounted for; as such only a 1/2 point was taken off. Final Grade for jersey bearing hologram # 311822 is A9.5.
Dave Grob
MEARS
PLATES I-II
MEARS LOA/Troy R. Kinunen
(MEARS LOA)