This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2013
From the legendary reliever Goose Gossage comes a remarkable full uniform from the final year of his tenure at San Diego as he approached the end of his 22-year career that included nine different teams. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he was one of the earliest manifestations of the dominating modern closer, with wild facial hair and a gruff demeanor to go along with his blistering fastball. He led the American League in saves three times and was runner-up twice; by the end of the 1987 season when he wore this uniform, he ranked second in major-league career saves, trailing only Rollie Fingers.
This jersey and pants combination is a marvelous artifact from his first sortie to Southern California. On the inside left front tail is the "Rawlings" manufacturers size 46 tag with wash instructions on it. Attached are additional manufacturer tags "SET 1 1987" and "3 Inch Extra Length." Across the front of the jersey is "PADRES" in brown and orange tackle twill. On the back is the player number "54" in brown on orange tackle twill. Across the back is "GOSSAGE" in the same tackle twill sewn directly on to the jersey. On the right sleeve is the "Rawlings" embroidered logo. The jersey shows game use and appears to have no other alterations of any kind. It is simply breathtaking in its presentation, heightened further by a blazing 9/10 Gossage autograph directly beneath his uniform number on the back, a signature done in Padres brown marker color that precisely matches the pinstriping that it elegantly intersects; his "HOF 2008" inscription is added below his autograph in the same captivating color.
The pants are a superb complement, with large red traditional Rawlings tag on the waistband with Size 36 and an adjacent embroidered team tag with "54 37 27 2 87"; there's a second smaller white Rawlings tag that appears on the lower back between the pockets and notes "Adult 36." Pants show light game use and are a nice presentation match with the jersey.
LOA from Goose Gossage.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.