SCP Auctions November 19th, 2011 Auction

Before Barry Bonds made it to the major leagues in Pittsburgh, Pirate fan attendance was low, with 1984 and 1985 attendance below 10,000 per game for the 81-game home schedule. Bonds made his major league debut on May 30, 1986. In 1986, Bonds led National League (NL) rookies with 16 home runs, 48 RBI, 36 stolen bases and 65 walks, but he finished 6th in Rookie of the Year voting. The Pirates experienced unprecedented fan enthusiasm with Bonds on the team and set the club attendance record of 52,119 in the 1987 home opener. That year, he hit 25 home runs in his second season, along with 32 stolen bases and 59 RBIs. Bonds improved in 1988, hitting .283 with 24 home runs. In 1988, the Pirates broke the record set the previous year with 54,089 attending the home opener. By 1988, Bonds fit into a highly respected lineup featuring Bobby Bonilla, Van Slyke and Jay Bell. His production and popularity continued to rise and two years later Bonds won his first of seven NL MVP awards. Bonds wore this size “42” jersey during the 1988 season with the Pirates. All of the numbers and lettering are applied in two-color tackle twill and have frayed remarkably. The initials “RSC” are heat pressed on the left sleeve end in honor of deceased Pittsburgh mayor Richard S. Caliguiri. On the opposite sleave is the embroidered Pirates team patch. Secured in the interior tail is a Rawlings size tag and “Set 1 1988” flag tag. An adjacent tag features an embroidered “T”. Excellent game wear is evident on this early career jersey worn by major league baseball’s all-time home run leader.