This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2014
Rare 1972 Detroit Tigers home jersey game-worn by catcher Bill Freehan. The 5-time Gold Glover spent his entire 15-year career in Detroit and was a model of consistency at the plate and behind it. A career .262 batter, Bill Freehan hit for his average in 1972 with 10 homers and 58 RBI over 111 games en route to one of his 5 All-Star game appearance. Considered by many the heart and soul of the 1968 World Series team, Freehan posted career highs of 25 home runs and 84 RBI (5th and 6th in the AL respectively) that season.
The white knit button-down jersey features the club's old English "D" logo sewn to the left breast in navy blue tackle twill, "11" sewn to the back and "FREEHAN" arched atop the number in like fashion. Blue piping lines the collar and button path, while a "Wilson" size "46" label resides within the cotton-lined collar. Tagging on the front left tail reads “46-72-2” via a sewn-on identifier indicating jersey size, year worn and set number. The all-original diamond apparel shows heavy wear, with significant dirt and sweat staining over the right shoulder and below the back numbers. Presents beautifully and comes essentially as-issued and problem-free. Rare chance to own home gamer from a Detroit Tigers hometown favorite.
Includes Letter of Provenance from collector Bruce Tennen.
Bruce Tennen grew up in Detroit and has been a loyal Tigers fan for over 50 years. He began attending games at Tiger Stadium in the early 1960’s with his father and grandfather — longtime season ticket holders — and would typically don the full uniform (pictured with his dad and sister in 1968 Tigers yearbook taking photo of pitcher Pat Dobson). Bruce has attended every Tigers home playoff series since 1968 and has been fortunate enough to build relationships with dozens of players. His passion for Tigers baseball and sports eventually lead him to pursue a career in the industry, covering Arizona sports teams for the AP in the late 70’s and working in the front office for the San Diego Clippers in the early 80’s while moonlighting as a law student. He would later move on to a successful career in mortgage banking, arranging credit and acquisition funding for numerous Pistons players, executives and broadcasters. There may not be a bigger supporter of Detroit sports teams than Bruce Tennen.