Some Russell Wilson fans may not realize that the star NFL quarterback – recently traded to the Denver Broncos after ten standout seasons in Seattle – played college baseball during his three years at N.C. State (2008-2010) and was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round (pick #140 overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft – three years after initially being drafted out of high school by the Orioles. A second baseman, Wilson played minor league baseball during the summers of 2010 and 2011, the latter with the Ashville Tourists, Colorado’s Class A affiliate in the South Atlantic League. After transferring to the University of Wisconsin for his senior year, Wilson decided to focus on football and leave his Major League dreams behind – at least for the time being. It was a wise decision. Taken by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft, Russ beat out newly signed Matt Flynn at training camp. The rest, as they say, is history.
Even after winning the Super Bowl in just his second season with the Seahawks, Wilson could not completely give up baseball. The unexpected death of his father – who played football and baseball at Dartmouth College – the day after his son was drafted by the Rockies in June of 2010 must have played a role. Acquired by the Texas Rangers in 2013, Wilson reported to Spring Training in 2014 and 2015. Eventually, the New York Yankees acquired his rights in February of 2018, assigned him to their Double-A affiliate, and invited him to Spring Training. Russ had grown up a Yankee fan and told his dad that he would wear the Yankee uniform one day. Presented here is Russell Wilson’s 2018 Spring Training worn Yankees jersey from that special stretch with his favorite ballclub.
The navy road jersey has “NEW YORK” sewn across the chest in gray and white tackle twill, with Wilson’s given No. “73” sewn on the back in gray tackle twill with a spring training theme. A large, 2018 Florida Grapefruit League patch (in the shape of home plate) is sewn on the right sleeve. Majestic size 46 tagging is found on the front left tail. Obscured by the bottom button is an additional Majestic label with a RQ code. The shirt shows moderate wear with some frayed threads on the letters and numbers and is certified by MLB Authentication (JC052466) as being worn during New York’s 2/24/2018 game against the Atlanta Braves.