This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
The ABA’s old Spirits of St. Louis might well have been named the "Free Spirits" of St. Louis; this was a unique, unpredictable team blessed with a wealth of young talent. The Spirits were born in the summer of 1974 after the owners of the Carolina Cougars sold the franchise to several New York businessmen. The new owners promptly moved the team to St. Louis. The new logo was clever, and the Spirits' uniforms were classy. When game time approached, the Spirits played their home games in the 18,000 seat St. Louis Arena, which was also known as the "Checkerdome.” Maurice Lucas played for the Spirits of St. Louis in the ABA during their debut season
of 1974-75 as well as partially through the 1975-76 campaign. That second season he played 28 games for the Spirits before being dealt to the Kentucky Colonels. During those 28 games for St. Louis, the 6' 9" Lucas averaged 19.3 points and 14.3 boards per outing.
This lot features Lucas’s 1975-76 Spirits of St. Louis game-worn home jersey from his second season with the team, which constitutes a rare find. On the right front tail of the Spirits of St. Louis jersey is the proper
“Rawlings” manufacturer’s tag with washing instructions and jersey size “44.” Across the front is positioned the team name “Spirits St. Louis,” while his uniform number “20” appears on both the front and back, all in orange tackle twill outlined in black. His last name “LUCAS” appears across the back sewn directly onto the shirt in orange tackle twill outlined in black. As suggested by its perfect MEARS A10 rating, this jersey shows solid game-use, with no alterations of any kind, and remains in exceptional all-original condition.
Includes LOA from the Lucas Family. Letter from MEARS (A10).