Awesome 1974 Detroit Tigers home jersey game-worn and signed by relief pitcher John Hiller. After suffering a heart attack in 1971, Hiller returned to the team and recorded 38 saves in 1973 – then a major league record - to win American League Comeback Player of the Year. In 1974, he set an AL record by winning 17 games in relief with a 2.64 ERA and 13 saves en route to his only All-Star appearance. When Hiller retired after 15 seasons, all with the Tigers, his 125 career saves ranked 4th in AL history and were 7th most ever amongst southpaws.
The white knit button-down jersey features the club's dark blue old English "D" sewn on the chest. "HILLER" and "18" in dark blue sewn on the back. Wilson size 44 tag sewn in back of collar. "74 Set 1 44" in dark blue stitched on plate sewn into front tail. Jersey is totally original aside from bottom button missing on front. Hiller has signed on the front tail in 8-9/10 black felt tip pen. Jersey displays heavy game use with significant soiling and several dark red/brown stains front and back. Enjoy, Tigers collectors!
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
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.