Five-time All-Star Steve Sax bookended his nine-year tenure with the L.A. Dodgers by playing on their 1981 and 1988 World Championship clubs. Along the way, "Saxie" was a fixture in Tommy Lasorda's starting lineup at second base, often batting leadoff or in the two-hole due to his speed on the basepaths and ability to make consistent contact and hit for average. The Sacramento native, who earned 1982 NL Rookie of the Year honors, had another stellar season in 1988, playing a career-high 160 games and batting .277 with 175 hits, 70 runs and 43 steals. During the '88 postseason, Sax hit safely in 11 of 12 games combined against the Mets in the NLCS and A's in the World Series.
Of course, we all know how Game 1 of the '88 Fall Classic ended. Steve Sax was actually in the on-deck circle for Gibson's heroic blast, and then was the first to eagerly greet him at home plate following Gibby's unforgettable trot around the bases. The Dodgers went on to win the '88 World Series in five games, taking two of three in Oakland to close it out. Sax batted .300 against an outstanding A's pitching staff and wore this very uniform in all three road games, including the Game 5 clincher in Oakland. In the video at bottom, after Hershiser stikes out Tony Phillips for the final out, you can see Saxie's jumping on the pile at the mound wearing this featured No. 3 jersey and pants.
The gray road jersey has “Dodgers" across the front in royal blue and white tackle twill above Sax’s No. "3" in red. A Rawlings size 44 label is sewn inside the collar and a white hang tag with “SET 1 1988” is sewn adjacent. The right sleeve has the custom 1988 World Series patch, and the back has “SAX” and his number “3” in royal blue and white tackle twill. Sax has signed the front of the jersey with, “88 W.S. Champs Game 5 Clincher” in blue marker. The matching gray road pants have a Rawlings size 33 label in the waistband next to a white strip tag with “SAX 88 1 33-34 26.5 W.S.” embroidered in blue. Sax has signed the front of the pants with “88 W.S. Champs” in blue marker. The pants are complete with the matching blue belt. Both jersey and pants show solid wear throughout. A choice uniform from one of the most memorable Fall Classics in baseball’s post-war era. The uniform set comes directly from the Steve Sax Collection with a letter from Sax, and it includes PSA/DNA LOAs for both the jersey and pants autographs.
A portion of the auction proceeds from all items sold in the Steve Sax Collection will benefit the foundation named for Steve’s son, John, who was one of five U.S. Marines killed in a training flight accident in June 2022 in the California desert. The Capt. John J. Sax Foundation “serves to support those who choose to further their education, exploration and passion for flight."