This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/1/2012
The summer of '65 was a tough one for Milwaukee's faithful baseball fan base. They knew going into the season that their beloved Braves were leaving Brew City for the supposed greener pastures of Atlanta.
The lame duck year didn't spill into their on-field performance as the team still finished with a respectable 86-76 record. Rostered on that team was a young knuckle baller named Phil Niekro. With his mastery of the elusive pitch still at a premium, Niekro settled for a bullpen role with the club at the beginning of the '65 season, although he did appear in 10 games the year before.
From Niekro's first full season in the bigs is this size "42" game worn flannel jersey. According to Dave Grob's research the size is consistent with period sizing data and exemplars for Niekro. Extensive use is shown on the button-up flannel with puckering on the two-color tackle twill identifiers. The left sleeve includes a screaming brave patch. No alterations appear and the jersey shows heavy wear.
Applied in the collar is a MacGregor size "42" tag. According to Grob this style of tag was used from 1961-67.
The supplemental inner tagging includes a MacGregor Set 2 1965 tag and washing instructions label. Niekro graciously signed the front in black felt tip and inscribed "5-10-1965" as well.
w0261
(MEARS LOA; JSA Auction Letter)