This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/12/2012.
Roberto Clemente was to Latin American ballplayers what Jackie Robinson was to African American ballplayers. Ironically, Clemente was plucked by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Dodgers farm system in 1954 for a $4,000 draft price. Not only was Clemente one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, but his charitable acts were legendary. In 1972, a few short months after Clemente collected his 3,000th hit, he was tragically killed in an airplane crash en route to earthquake-ravaged Managua, Nicaragua, as chairman of the Nicaraguan Relief Committee. As a ballplayer, Clemente compiled a .317 lifetime batting average over 18 major league seasons, winning 4 batting titles, 12 Gold Glove awards, 12 times NL All-Star and was elected NL MVP in 1966 and World Series MVP in 1971. In 1960, Clemente hit .314 and helped lead Pittsburgh to the World Championship over the Yankees, where he hit safely in every game. In 1973, Clemente became the first Latin American ballplayer to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Inside the left rear tail is the “Rawlings” manufacturer’s tag with size “42”. Adjacent is a wash instructions label. The jersey is custom shortened and hemmed straight across the bottom. Across the front is “PIRATES”. Player number “21” appears on both the front and back. All numbers and letters are done in black on old gold tackle twill. The back number “21” was restored and replaced with period numbers which are slightly smaller. The original number “21” outline is clearly visible on back. The jersey is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion, shows excellent use. Other than what is mentioned, there appear to be no further alterations of any kind.
Provenance: This jersey was originally sourced from a February 14th 1986 Sports Collectors Digest advertisement