This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/24/2014
Rare 1942 Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League home jersey game worn by PCL Hall of Fame outfielder Arnold "Jigger" Statz, the greatest minor league ball player in the history of baseball, one of only 7 players in the history of baseball to have over 4,000 combined hits in the major and minor leagues. The legendary Statz was coming to the end of a 17 season career in the PCL, all with the Los Angeles Angels, that would see him collect over 3,000 career base hits. 1942 would be his last as a player for Los Angeles. He had been player/manager for the Angels from 1940 through 1942. Large "LA" in red with blue trim sewn onto front left breast. Large "8" in the same red with blue trim sewn on back. Wilson Sporting Goods size 42 and washing instruction tags sewn into back of collar. Small "42" stitched in dark blue inside back tail. Blue woven braid trim on edges of sleeves and at neck and front. Jersey displays excellent game use. Small hole in front left chest. There is a 1" by 1 1/2" tear on the left sleeve next to World War II Health Patch. Jersey is made of white wool fabric. Half dozen small holes on back from when jersey was mounted in a frame. In checking with several Los Angeles Angels programs from the year 1942, Statz is listed as number 8 in each and every one. Given Statz status, it is very unlikely that any other player would have wore number 8 that season. Also, the jersey was donated along with the Jigger Statz glove (Lot 25) having his signature cut out pocket at the same time to the Helms Museum. Overall, jersey shows light to moderate wear, with no moth damage to the material. Aside from display wear-and-tear, it remains in EX condition.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection.