This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/5/2022
Among jersey collectors, the 1969 Houston Astros "Shooting Star" uniform ranks among the most popular of the progressive and coloful styles that emerged leading into the 1970s. This fine #3 example hails from Astros coach Mel McGaha who spent 1966-70 with the organization. McGaha had two short managerial stints with the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City A's in the early 1960s. He never made it to the big leagues as a player, but he did happen to suit up for the New York Knickerbockers as an NBA guard in 1948-49.
The home white flannel has the unique shooting star design on the front above the Astros logo, along with the team's popular orbit logo patch embroidered on the left sleeve. A Wilson size 44 tag is sewn to tail with "69" chain-stitched below. McGaha's number 3 is sewn on the back in navy over orange felt. 1969 coincided with Major League Baseball's 100th anniversary, so a nice bonus is the MLB centennial patch on the right sleeve. (It should be noted that Rawlings manufactured Houston's road jerseys during this era, so road tagging looks very different.) This jersey exhbits very light wear--understandable for a coach's shirt--and has been exceptionally well-preserved.
The accompanying Astros baseball cap is not attributed to McGaha, but rather Jim Owens, another member of the Astros coaching staff in 1969, whose No. "5" is marked in black in the inner green bill. Made by New Era with the custom leather interior headband, the navy cap with classic Astros logo shows obvious wear. It presents stiff from storage and aging.