The late Robin Roberts was a starting right-handed pitcher who played the majority of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1948 to ’61 He made his MLB debut with the Phillies on June 18, 1948 and two seasons later led the “Whiz Kids” – as the Phillies were known due to their youthful lineup – to their first National League pennant in 35 years after going 20-11 and being named to his first All-Star Game. Durability could very well have been Roberts’ middle name. From 1950 to ‘55, Roberts won at least 20 games per season and led the N.L. in victories from 1952 to ‘55. Six different times he led the league in games started, five times in complete games and innings pitched, and once pitched 28 complete games in a row. His 28 victories in 1952, the same year he won The Sporting News “Player of the Year” Award, were the most wins in the National League since 1935, the year St. Louis righty Dizzy Dean also won 28 games. He spent the latter part of his career with the Baltimore Orioles (1962–65), Houston Astros (1965–66) and Chicago Cubs (1966) and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
Offered here is Roberts’ 1958 game-worn and autographed Philadelphia Phillies road jersey, a season in which hard-throwing righty posted a 17-14 mark with 130 more K’s to his credit. The gray flannel button-down garment features "Phillies" across the chest in red-on-white felt script lettering with two stars dotting the “i’s.” In like fashion, the icon's uniform number "36" is sewn on to the upper back of the jersey with the numbers standing 10” tall. There are six air holes (as designed) under each custom-hemmed short sleeve. On the jersey’s left front tail, a "WILSON" size 44 manufacturer's label is sewn on with a smaller strip tag reading “1958” just below it to indicate the season. Within the collar, a felt strip tag has chain-stitched his name: “R. Roberts.”
Plenty of wear is evident, with the only noticeable imperfection being what appears to be a small brown dot on the left sleeve. Other than that this is a beautiful, vintage gamer. Roberts signed and inscribed the jersey’s right front tail in fine-point black marker: “My Gamer 1958 Robin Roberts HOF 76.” A incredible piece of game-worn sports memorabilia, this gamer rates a perfect MEARS A10.
Includes Letter of Opinion from MEARS.
Autograph is pre-certified by PSA/DNA.