This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2016
1983 was an exciting season for George Brett and the Kansas City Royals. The team finished 2nd in the AL West, but a single game on July 24th, 1983 drew more attention than the World Series.
The Pine Tar Incident (also known as the Pine Tar Game) was a controversial incident during an American League game played between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees on July 24, 1983 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. With his team trailing 4–3 in the top half of the ninth inning, with two outs, George Brett of the Royals hit a two-run home run to give his team the lead. However, Yankees manager Billy Martin, who had noticed a large amount of pine tar on Brett's bat, requested that the umpires inspect his bat. The umpires ruled that the amount of pine tar on the bat exceeded the amount allowed by rule, nullified Brett's home run, and called him out. As Brett was the third out in the ninth inning with the home team in the lead, the game ended with a Yankees win.
Although this was not the shirt Brett was wearing during that road game, it is a shirt from the season that will forever define the career of George Brett.
Still an offensive threat, Brett played in 123 games, belted 144 hits with 25 of them homeruns, 93 RBI’s, and batted .310. Always a fan favorite, he was selected to appear in his 8th straight all-star game, the 50th Anniversary at Comiskey Park.
This shirt was evaluated and graded by Troy Kinunen of MEARS. His finding:
Style: Shirt was the white home knit supplied by the Wilson company with their standard body shell design. “ROYALS” appears on the front in blue tackle twill. The sleeves and neck opening are blue/white/blue ribbed elastic. Brett’s number “5” appears on the front and reverse in matching tackle twill. Seven (7) 4-hole pearl buttons are present. Round tail. The Royals patch appears on the left sleeve. The style of the shirt is consistent with both period images of Brett and additional examples which have entered the hobby.
Manufacturer (Wilson): Supplied by Wilson, the style of the manufactures tag is correct for the 1979-1986 timeframe (Courtesy of the MEARS Tagging Database/MEARS). Wilson was verified as the correct supplier of 1983 Royals shirt as supported by:
1983 Vossek (On Hand Example)
Size (42): Examination of the shirt confirms the actual side is consistent with the tagged size. This was verified by measuring the actual shirt and by comparison to the on hand example, size 42 Vossek.
Game Wear: Shirt exhibits heavy game wear, evenly distributed.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): Based on a complete evaluation of the shirt, we assigned the grade of MEARS A10.
Authentic and high grade George Brett shirts are quite rare and this lot affords the perfect opportunity for one lucky bidder to add a quality shirt to their collection. LOA MEARS.
(89R0515)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS