This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2014
Harry Walker was a steady center fielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs between 1940 and 1955. The two-time All-Star Game selection batted a career .296. This lot includes Walker’s autographed and game-worn Cardinals home jersey from the 1942 season. That was the year that Walker hit .314 in helping the Cardinals post the best record (106-48) in the National League, winning the pennant by two games over the second-place Brooklyn Dodgers. In the World Series, the Cardinals beat the New York Yankees four games to one.
Presented is the heavy white wool flannel jersey worn by Walker that season. The timeless birds and bat logo takes center stage on the (still fully functional) zippered chest, with wide red trim at collar, zipper path and sleeve cuffs. Walker’s number "10" is applied to jersey verso in red and navy felt, with "Harry Walker 42" embroidered directly into the jersey body at lower left front tail. The highly collectible "Health" patch, worn throughout professional baseball during the War years as part of the "Hail America" physical fitness campaign, remains affixed at left sleeve. Patriotic patches adorned all Major League jerseys during the World War II years (1942-45) but this patch is a single-season style (1942), as subsequent versions replaced the “Health” lettering for red stripes. Today it’s one of the toughest MLB patches to find. Local St. Louis-based "Rawlings" manufacturer's label (and size 40) is located at interior collar. Wear is solid and consistent throughout. Walker’s faint signature in faded black marker can be found on left side of jersey front just below the Cardinals team name. Aged autograph rates a 6-7/10 in our book.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.