This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2020
In his 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1969-82), Steve Garvey was the model of consistency for Tommy Lasorda’s blue crew. After settling in at first base in ‘74, “Mr. Clean” – as he was called for his clean-cut, good looks – began a streak of eight straight All-Star nods and four consecutive Gold Gloves. The 1974 National League MVP led the Dodgers to four World Series appearances, highlighted by their 1981 triumph over the Yankees. During that eight-year stretch (1974-81), the perpetual ladies’ man batted .309 with an average of 21 home runs and 99 RBI per season.
Featured here is Garvey’s game used first baseman’s mitt from his 1982 campaign – his final in Dodger blue. He played in all 162 games (tops in the NL) and batted .282 with 16 homers and 86 RBI for a solid 88-74 L.A. squad that finished one game behind Atlanta in the NL West. The tanned leather Rawlings professional model ‘DCT-P’ fielder’s glove (designed for right-handed throwing 1B) exhibits heavy wear on the exterior and inside the webbing. Vintage blue/green marker reads "Garvey" over the wrist and “6” (his jersey number) over the thumb, most likely done by Garvey himself or the equipment manager. Garvey has autographed the outside in bold 9/10 blue marker inscribed with his No. “6" and "Last Glove - 1982" to signify this was the last mitt he used as an L.A. Dodger.
Considering the level of use evident and the teddy-bear attachment baseball players have with their gloves, this was likely the only first baseman’s mitt Garvey used for the entire ’82 season before finishing up his Hall-of-Fame worthy career down the I-5 in San Diego. And it’s certainly possible this glove saw action during the Dodgers’ magical ’81 World Championship season. Because Mr. Clean was known as much for his leather as his lumber, having committed just 81 errors over his 16 seasons (.996 fielding percentage) at 1B, his glove represents the ideal memento for one of Southern California’s biggest baseball stars during the 1970’s and 80’s. It originally came directly from Garvey’s personal collection and includes an LOA signed by Steve Garvey himself.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.