This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Don Drysdale finally retired from the game he loved in July of the 1969 season. The reason was a nagging torn rotator cuff injury. His final numbers, which earned “Big D” a place in Cooperstown in 1984, included 209 victories, 2,486 K’s and a career ERA of 2.95. Not straying too far from the game, he almost immediately started his sports broadcasting career with the Montreal Expos in 1970. But prior to taking his spot in the radio booth, he had served as an Expos coach during the spring training campaign prior to the start of the season.
This lot features Drysdale’s full 1969 Montreal Expos game-worn coach’s road uniform he used during the team’s 1970 spring training session. The size 46 flannel jersey includes the proper Wilson manufacturer’s tag in the inside rear collar. Across the front left chest is both the Expos logo and the team name, while Drysdale’s trademark “53” can be found in blue tackle twill on the right side. His jersey number can be found in larger, seven-and-a-half-inch numerals on the reverse in similar fashion. On the left front tail is “1970” chain-stitched in blue. The jersey has remained in remarkably good shape and displays very well.
The matching size 38 pants boast the proper “Wilson” manufacturer’s tag on the inside front right waistband next chain-stitching in black that reads: “53-1970-33” indicating the player number, season and waist size. The original blue elastic belt remains intact. Montreal’s red-white-and-blue piping runs the entire length of each pant leg. Some slight discoloration is evident around the two rear pockets. Although Drysdale’s baseball broadcasting career would eventually take him to the Texas Rangers, the Anaheim Angels, and the Chicago White Sox before ultimately bringing him back to his beloved Dodgers, it all started in 1970 with the Montreal Expos.