This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/9/2009.
Willie Mays was nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid” and many consider him to be the greatest all-around player of all time. Mays won two MVP awards during his big league career and tied a record with twenty-four appearances in the All-Star Game. He ended his career with 660 career home runs, third at the time of his retirement, and is currently fourth all-time. In 1999, Mays placed second on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, making him the highest-ranking living player. Later that year, he was also elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Mays is the only Major League player to have hit a home run in every inning from the 1st through the 16th. He finished his career with a record 22 extra-inning home runs and is one of four NL players to have eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons. Other accolades include a World Championship in 1954, a twelve time Gold Glove Award winner, 1951 Rookie of the Year and voted the All-Star Game MVP twice. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. On the left front tail of the road flannel jersey is the “Spalding Professional” manufacturers tag. Attached are two additional tags, “71” and “42” indicating the jersey year and size, respectively. Inside the rear collar is a white strip tag with player name “Mays” embroidered in black chain stitch script lettering. Across the front is the city name “SAN FRANCISCO.” On back is the player number “24.” All numbers and letters are done in black on orange tackle twill. There are seven buttons down the front which appear to be all original and are fully intact. Inside the front waistband of the road flannel pants is the “Spalding Professional” manufacturers tag. Attached on either side are the year tag “71” and the size tag “32.” Inside the rear waistband is a felt strip tag with “Mays 24 32 25” embroidered in black chain stitch indicating the player name, number, pants size and inseam, respectively. Mays has autographed the front left thigh in blue marker rating a 9. There is no reason why this jersey should not rate at least a 9 if not a 10. The uniform is absolutely gorgeous and is one of the finest Mays flannels we have seen. The uniform shows good game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. It is accompanied by a LOA from JSA for the signature on the pants.