This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2014
How to overstate the significance of a jersey from the great Roger Clemens worn during the 2000 World Series when his Yankees upended their archival Mets? This was the series when Clemens got into a merry mix-up with the Mets' great backstop Mike Piazza, with the hurler flinging a piece of Piazza's broken bat in the general direction of the player as he ran towards first base. As might have been anticipated, the usual major league kabuki theatre ensued, with benches emptying and the two clubs milling about and carefully trying to choreograph the traditional outrage and antipathy without anyone actually getting maimed in the process. Clemens was almost certainly the greatest pitcher of his generation and one of only nine pitchers to win 350 or more games. In addition to winning a record seven Cy Young Awards, Clemens also recorded 4,672 strikeouts, second only to Nolan Ryan. The white pinstriped knit jersey features the iconic "NY" script interlocking logo on the front and features Clemens' No. 22 on the reverse. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in blue on white tackle twill. The special "2000 World Series" patch appears on the right sleeve and the black armband on the left sleeve (some light fraying of the stitching). Located on the left front tail are a "Russell Athletic" label, a "52" size tag, a flag tag reading "2 inch Extra Length," and a box tag reading "YO." Original and unaltered, the jersey displays light wear throughout.
Clemens only made that one start in the Yankees' five-game victory over the Mets in the 2000 fall classic, but it certainly was a memorable one. He limited the Mets to just two hits and no runs over eight innings while striking out nine and walking none turning over a 6-0 lead to the Yankees vaunted bullpen in the ninth and nervously watching as the Mets rallied for five runs before Mariano Rivera was finally able to put out the fire and preserve the win.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from The Newport Sports Museum.