This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/9/2009.
1996 was Alex Rodriguez’s first full season as the Mariners' regular shortstop (SS) and emerged as a star player, hitting 36 HR, driving in 123 runs, and pacing the American League (AL) with a .358 batting average, the highest for an AL right-handed batter since Joe DiMaggio hit .381 in 1939 and the 3rd highest ever for a SS. He was also the 1st major league SS to win a batting title since 1960, and the 1st in the AL since 1944, and at 20 years, 11 months, was the youngest SS in All-Star Game history. He also led the AL in runs (141), total bases (379), and doubles (54) and ranked among the league leaders in hits (2nd, 215), extra base hits (2nd, 91), multi-hit games (3rd, 65), slugging (4th, .631), RBI (8th, 123), and on-base percentage (8th, .414). Rodriguez posted the highest totals ever for a shortstop in runs, hits, doubles, extra base hits, and slugging, and tied most total bases, and established Seattle club records for average, runs, hits, doubles, and total bases, in a season that statistical analysts consider the best ever by an SS. He was selected by both The Sporting News and Associated Press as the Major League Player of the Year. On the left front tail is the "Russell Athletic" manufacturers size 46 tag with wash instructions. Attached below are the "100% POLYESTER" and "1" SLEEVE LENGTH" flag tags. Also attached below is the "1996" year tag. Across the front is "SEATTLE" in navy on teal on white triple tackle twill. On back is the player number “3” in navy on teal tackle twill. Across the back is player name "RODRIGUEZ" in navy blue on teal on a grey name plate. On the right sleeve is the "1996 ALL-STAR GAME" patch. Below this is the embroidered "Russell" logo. On the left sleeve is the “Mariners” team logo patch. Autographed on the front in black marker with “GAME USED ALL-STAR JERSEY” added and rates a 9. The jersey shows light game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. The autograph is accompanied by a LOA from JSA. Includes COA from Alex Rodriguez. This is the second 1996 Arod All-Star jersey that has come up for auction. They were both originally authenticated by Dave Bushing under two different companies. The jersey not in this auction was September 11, 2004, and this jersey, August 23, 2002. The jersey in this auction has a COA from Arod dated July 13, 1996, a few days after the All-Star Game. Therefore, we believe this to be the jersey he wore in the game.