Spring Premier Auction 2015

Watching Tony Oliva swing the bat when he arrived in the American League in the mid-1960's was a joy, a glimpse of one of the nicest swings in the game, a vision ultimately jostled only by nagging injuries later in his career that somehow managed to derail an appointment in Cooperstown that initially had seemed like a lock. Oliva was selected as the 1964 Rookie of the Year by a near-unanimous decision, receiving 19 of 20 first-place votes. He led the American League in hitting with a .323 average, becoming the first player to win both the Rookie of the Year Award and American League batting title. He also led the league in hits, doubles, extra base hits, total bases, and runs. Cooperstown didn't beckon, it insisted. He won his second straight batting title with a .321 average the next year, then narrowly missed in 1966 as Frank Robinson led the league in everything except restaurants visited. In 1971, Oliva won his third AL batting title with a .337 average and led the league in slugging percentage, but for the rest of the decade was hampered by knee, leg, and shoulder injuries. This sensational 1967 grey flannel jersey is lettered "Twins" across the front and features Oliva's No. 6 on the back, both in blue-on-red tackle twill. A "Spalding" label, adjacent Size 42 flag tag and washing instructions tag appear on the left front tail, with tags above and below blue stitch embroidery of "Oliva 6 42 67." A white tag with "Oliva" stitched in blue is attached to the collar. The well-known Minnesota Twins patch is affixed to the left sleeve. Oliva has signed a beautiful and over sized black marker signature on the left shoulder directly above the script "Twins" lettering. The jersey is original as issued, with no alterations, and displays light wear throughout.

Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.