This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/9/2009.
In 1960, McDowell signed with the Indians for a six-figure bonus. He appeared in his first big league game a year later, one week before his 19th birthday. After struggling over the next two seasons, McDowell became a starting pitcher in 1964 and became a workhorse over the next eight seasons. He tossed over 200 innings in seven of those years and ranked among the American League leaders in strikeouts. To date, his 2159 strikeouts trail only Bob Feller’s 2581 among Indian pitchers. He twice exceeded 300 K's in a season, including 325 in 1965—second in franchise history to only Feller's 348 in 1946. A six-time All-Star (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971), McDowell was also the league leader in ERA and strikeouts in 1965, led in strikeouts and shutouts in 1966 and led the league in strikeouts again in 1968 and 1969. In 1970, he put together his best season, when he was named "Pitcher of the Year" by The Sporting News, once again leading in strikeouts while winning 20 games for the first and only time of his career. This is the finest McDowell jersey extant. On the left front tail is the "Wilson" manufacturer’s size "44" tag with wash instructions. Below this is the "1961" embroidered strip tag. Across the front is "Indians". The player number "17" appears on both the back and right sleeve of the jersey. All numbering and lettering is done in red on blue tackle twill. On the left sleeve is the “Indians” team logo patch. Autographed on the front in black marker with “Rookie Yr. 1961” added and rates an 8. This beautiful jersey shows game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. The autograph is accompanied by a LOA from JSA.