This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
As captain of the great Dodger squads of the 1950's, Hall of Fame shortstop Pee Wee Reese was a scrappy force on the field and in the clubhouse. An outstanding defensive player, he led the NL in putouts four times and, alongside Jackie Robinson, formed one of baseball's top double-play combinations for almost a decade. Pee Wee led Brooklyn to seven pennants in his 16 seasons, his final campaign in '58 coming in Los Angeles, and never missed an inning of the seven World Series in which he participated. His most prestigious contribution to America's pastime was his early support of Jackie as MLB's first African-American player in 1947. His refusal to sign a petition threatening a boycott if Robinson suited up for the Dodgers squashed a team rebellion. His camaraderie with Robinson was a key catalyst of integration in baseball. Presented here is the L.A. Dodgers home jersey Reese wore as a coach in '59 when the proud franchise captured its first championship on the west coast.
The off-white button-up flannel has the famed "Dodgers" script logo in classic Dodger blue felt letters across the chest, with Pee Wee's old uniform number “1” in red felt on the front and repeated in blue on the back. The lower left front tail holds the proper "Rawlings Hall of Fame Flannel" label with adjacent "42" size tag. Just below that is “Reese 59” chain-stitched in blue. A wash tag appears on the inside front tail next to a smaller "Set 1 1959" flap tag. The jersey exhibits moderate wear throughout with a little spot-staining/soiling and a few holes in the fabric. In addition, it shows evidence of a number change from "64" (most likely a minor leaguer from Spring Training) both front and back. Other than that, the shirt is problem-free and remains in great overall condition for being 60 years old. A MEARS hologram sticker (#304073) is affixed inside the shirttail next to the wash instructions. Due to the number change and pre-Reese use, it received an A5 grade from MEARS.