This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
Joe DeMaestri was a hard-charging shortstop who played 11 seasons in the major leagues including five with the Kansas City Athletics and two with the New York Yankees. A career .236 batter, DeMaestri turned in one of his best campaigns ever in 1957 when he collected 113 hits (including a career-best nine home runs) and received his only All-Star nod. This lot features his 1957 Kansas City Athletics game-worn home jersey, a season in which he also posted a .980 fielding percentage at shortstop in 130 starts.
The aged home jersey, which reflects quite a bit of yellowing through the years not to mention noticeable game use, reads "Athletics" across the front in red felt script lettering outlined in navy blue. Proper Wilson (size 42) tagging exists on the left front tail, just to the left of a specially embroidered white cloth nameplate reading "DeMaestri 1-57-2" reflecting the player's name, set number and season. The left sleeve includes the A's original embroidered elephant patch, while DeMaestri's uniform number "2" occupies the reverse in an eight-inch-tall red felt number outlined in blue. Some staining exists throughout the jersey, as does a small cigarette hole on the front and a slight tear on the back of the jersey. Black piping runs the length of the front of the jersey and around the collar. A great piece of game-worn memorabilia from a bygone era player who just passed away in August 2016 at the age of 87.
Part of the esteemed Delbert Mickel estate collection.