This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
When Leo Durocher made the famous quip “nice guys finish last," it was New York Giants manager Mel Ott that he was referring to. After a 22 year career that established him as one of the greatest sluggers of the pre-war era, Mel Ott was named manager of the team he had spent his entire career with. While popular with his players, the front office and fans, Ott couldn’t field a winning team, and in 1948 was replaced by none other than Leo Durocher. Keeping Ott on as a coach, Leo steered the Giants to a pennant in 1951 and a World Championship in 1954.
These grey flannel pants were worn by Mel Ott during the 1950 season as coach of his beloved Giants. He and former teammate Carl Hubbell were charged with running the Giants farm system which included a teenage Willie Mays. The pants have the Giants orange and black piping down each leg and feature two rear pockets that retain their original plastic buttons. The waistband has a MacGregor Goldsmith size 38 label along with a “SET 1 1950” strip tag and “Ott 4” chain stitched in orange on a white strip tag. The pants show good coaches wear, with visible turf stains throughout, particularly around the knees. The waistband shows heavy perspiration staining and the 5-button fly retains their original buttons. A great piece from a member of the 500 Home Run Club dating to the period he was showing a new generation of Giants the moves which made him a Hall of Famer.
Includes LOA from the Ott family.