From 1975 to 1977 Paul Molitor played for the University of Minnesota baseball program. He was a First-Team All-American and was First-Team All-Big Ten in 1976 and 1977. In 1977 Molitor batted .325 with a team-leading 20 stolen bases and tied for the lead with 35 runs en route to leading Minnesota to its most recent appearance in the College World Series. Molitor finished his career at Minnesota with a .350 batting average. He also finished his career with what were then school records in runs (112), triples (11), hits (159), home runs (18), total bases (254), RBI (99) and stolen bases (52).
After finishing up his career with the Golden Gophers, he was drafted in 1977 by the Milwaukee Brewers with the third pick of the Major League Baseball Draft. During his 21-year Hall of Fame career in the major leagues, Molitor amassed the 3,319 hits which is ninth on the all-time list. He was also 10th in doubles (605), 17th in runs (1,782) and 34th in stolen bases with 504. He was one of only six players to record 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases in his career joining Lou Brock, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Honus Wagner and Ricky Henderson. Molitor finished his career with a .306 batting average and 1,306 RBI.
Presnted here is Molitor’s 1975-77 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers jersey. The maroon knit jersey features tagging on the front tail from Steichens Sports Equipment of St. Paul who was the exclusive provider of uniform to Univ. of Minn. Baseball team. The Steichens tag is sewn over another manufacturers tag as was customary. Molitor’s number “11” is sewn on front anb back in yellow on white tackle twill and “Minnesota” is likewise stitched across the front. The jersey shows medium usage wear and has been signed by Molitor on the back in black sharpie. This is a rare and significant college jersey from arguably the greatest baseball player St. Paul, Minnesota has ever produced.
Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.