ADDENDUM: JERSEY WAS NOT CUSTOMIZED BY CASH. JERSEY WAS UNEVENLY CUT OFF AT BOTTOM, ABOUT EVEN WITH BOTTOM BUTTON.
Rare early 1970's Detroit Tigers home jersey game-worn and signed by 5-time All-Star first baseman Norm Cash. Cash played 15 of his 17 years with the Tigers, from 1960 through 1974, batting .272 with a .374 OBP, .490 SLG, 373 HR and 1083 RBI in Detroit. Known more for his power, Cash won the American League batting title in 1961 with a .361 average while slugging 41 homers and 132 RBI (all career highs). He would have likely been named league MVP if not for two guys in New York named Roger in Mickey. He batted .368 in the 1968 World Series helping the Tigers defeat the Cardinals in a 7-game classic.
The home white jersey has blue old English "D" sewn on front with his name and number in the same blue sewn on back. All are original and were once dark blue but have faded considerably. Piping around collar and down front has come off about 30% of the way. Bottom portion of jersey has been cut off inexplicably and uneven level right around the lowest button, which is still present. Unfortunately almost all of the tagging in tail has been lost, with the exception of a thin slit of red lettering at the top that shows it is a Wilson brand. On the lower front, Cash has signed in 7-8/10 black felt tip pen. Jersey displays excellent wear, with several areas of sweat staining and soiling as well as a noticeable stain on the lower front right. Despite its imperfections, this rare Tiger home gamer from the early 70's is hobby treat.
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.