ADDENDUM: PLEASE NOTE THAT SINCE THE PUBLISHING OF THE PRINTED CATALOGUE THIS JERSEY HAS BEEN AUTHENTICATED AND GRADED BY MEARS A9.5.
Hall of Famer and 300-game-winner Early Wynn typified the vanishing breed of scowling, intimidating pitchers of his era. He walked into a Senators tryout camp and signed a pro contract at age 17. After three starts in 1939, he made the majors to stay in 1941. Armed with a blazing fastball and little else, Wynn's distinct personality led him to call the pitching mound his "office." He worked with a grim, fierce appearance, and might be best remembered for saying he would knock down his grandmother if she dug in against him.
Acquired by Bill Veeck's Cleveland Indians in 1949, Wynn flourished under the tutelage of pitching coach Mel Harder, logging double-digit win totals in nine of nine seasons with the Tribe—and 20-plus wins in four of those campaigns. Wynn was dealt to the Chicago White Sox in 1958 and, as fate would have it, Veeck took over that club the following year. Together again, they lit up the Windy City. With a 22-10 mark, Wynn captured the 1959 Cy Young Award and propelled the Pale Hose to the American League pennant. During his career with the Senators, Indians and White Sox, Wynn won an even 300 games, highlighted by five 20-win seasons, 49 shutouts and seven All-Star selections.
Offered here is a Chicago White Sox home jersey donned by the affectionately dubbed "Gus" Wynn in the 1958 campaign. This blue-pinstriped, cream-colored flannel, button-down garment features "Sox" sewn to the left breast in black-on-red double cotton twill (in olde-English font) and the Hall of Famer's number "24" is applied to the back and right sleeve in similar fashion. Situated on the left front tail is a "Wilson" size "50” manufacturer's label accompanied by a strip tag with a chain-stitched notation of "1958." Within the nylon-lined collar, a strip tag bears "Wynn" embroidered in black chain stitch. On the lower left breast, Wynn's black-marker signature presents at a strength of "10." The jersey shows evidence of moderate wear and apart from a small repair to a tear on the back of the left sleeve, remains in superb original condition. Includes a full, detailed LOA from MEARS (Grade A9.5).