This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/3/2020
From the 1927 through 1940, the Waner brothers patrolled the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield – older brother Paul (a.k.a. “Big Poison”) in right and younger brother Lloyd (“Little Poison”) in center. The former was the more accomplished of the duo and remains one of the greatest ballplayers, along with Honus Wagner and Roberto Clemente, ever to call the hallowed grounds of Forbes Field home. In 1927, while “Murderer’s Row” was dominating headlines in the American League, Big Poison put together an incredible season to earn N.L. MVP honors, batting .380 with 237 hits, 18 triples and 131 RBI – all tops in the league. Waner would go on to win two more batting titles in the Steel City (1934 and ’36) on his way to the exclusive 3,000 hit club, finishing with a .333 career average and earning entry into the Hall of Fame in 1952.
The classic soft-billed, eight-panel navy blue Pirates cap has been dated to 1931-33 by expert uniform evaluator Dave Grob (now with SGC). The felt red “P” on the forehead and ever-important "P. Waner" embroidered on the interior match period exemplars to a tee. Grob describes the hat’s level of wear as "heavy” while praising its level of preservation in the “very good to excellent” condition range. He documents just a single fabric tear to the exterior and minor loss to the leather headband inside.
One would think that after such a distinguished 20-year playing career there would be at least a few uniform pieces of the elder Waner’s that had survived the test of time. But this is not the case. There are absolutely no jerseys or pants to speak of. Other than this offered cap dating to the early 1930s, online auction records are blank. What an amazing opportunity for one’s pre-war baseball collection! Includes detailed 2013 letter of authenticity from MEARS.