This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
Victor Martinez’s first season in Detroit in 2011 was highly productive. The 5-time All-Star batted .330 with 12 homers and 103 RBI, slotted mostly at DH but serving as a catcher and first baseman as well. This Martinez throwback gamer comes from the Tigers’ June 22, 2011 interleague matchup with the L.A. Dodgers. He caught that afternoon and went 2-3 with a run and RBI in a 7-5 defeat at Chavez Ravine.
The jersey was part of a MLB’s Turn Back the Clock promotion that had teams wear old uniforms. In this case, the Tigers wore the 1944 jersey “Detroit” scripted across the chest in navy blue tackle twill with Martinez’s No. 41 on the back in the same format. The left sleeve features a stars and stripes shield patch, while the right sleeve has a black patch shaped like home plate reading “SPARKY 11” to honor longtime Tigers manager Sparky Anderson. The left front tail features the appropriate Majestic Authentic Collection tagging with a white strip tag below reading “41 48 1944 18” to denote his number, size, commemoration year and inventory number. Tigers clubhouse manager Jim Schmakel's "JSG" initials penned in black marker on manufacturer's tagging for good measure. The jersey displays outstanding evidence of game use, including a large dirt stain on the back left side that can be easily photo-matched (Getty 117592377).