Hank Aaron continued his inexorable assault on the all-time home run record in 1972. The Atlanta Braves superstar launched 34 home runs in the strike-shortened season, surpassing Willie Mays for second place on the all-time list. Aaron finished the season with 673 home runs, breaking Stan Musial’s all-time record for total bases in the process. Aaron’s 77 RBI in 1972 pushed him over the 2,000 mark for his career, a number only three other players have reached in the long history of Major League Baseball. Aaron made one of his 25 All-Star teams in 1972, with the game taking place in the city of Atlanta for the first time in its history. Aaron gave the hometown fans reason to cheer when he crushed a towering two-run home run off American League pitcher Gaylord Perry in the sixth inning.

Aaron wore this stunning two-button pullover Atlanta Braves road jersey during the 1972 season. The body of this jersey is blue, with “Braves” and Aaron’s iconic number “44” sewn on the chest in white and red tackle twill. Aaron’s “44” is sewn on the back of the jersey in white and red tackle twill. The sleeves of this jersey are white, with red, white, and blue tackle twill feather logo patches sewn on each sleeve. Sand-Knit, Sand-Knit size “42”, and “Aaron 72 Set 2” tags are sewn in the back inside collar of this jersey. This jersey originates from the first season that the Braves switched from flannel to double-knit jerseys. Additionally, the right sleeve concedes a slightly brownish, "singed" appearance as evidence of exposure to fire and smoke, as a fire damaged many Braves jerseys that season. However, the jersey still presents beautifully, with its historic appeal perhaps even enhanced by this unique event. Aaron has signed the left sleeve of this jersey in bold black marker. This item comes with a LOA from JSA (X79966) for the signature, a Steiner Sports Authenticated hologram, and an LOA from MEARS, who have graded this jersey a perfect A10. MEARS also state that this jersey is “the highest graded from [the 1972] season” and that “with respect to 1972 Hank Aaron game worn jerseys, this is only one of two known surviving examples”. 

Auction Notepad