2019 Winter Auction Closing March 2
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/2/2019
Few athletes in the history of professional sports have dominated like Mariano Rivera. In his 19 seasons with the New York Yankees, “Mo” compiled career numbers that may never be matched. While his 652 career regular season saves is a formidable number, Rivera’s post-season success is even more remarkable. He has appeared in more playoff games (96) than any pitcher in history, saved more games (42) than any other closer by more than double (2nd place is 18), is top 10 all-time in IP and K’s, and sports a career post-season ERA of 0.70, all while helping the Yankees to five World Series titles.
This offered New York Yankees size 44 Russell Athletic road gray button-down jersey was used by Mariano Rivera during the 1998 season, which culminated in the Yankees second World Championship in three years. This was Rivera’s second season as closer for the Yankees, and his playoff success that year is the foundation on which his legacy was built. Through 10 post-season games that year, Mo pitched 13.1 scoreless innings, recording six saves, including three of the four victories in the World Series sweep of the San Diego Padres. Adding significance to this item, Rivera was the last player to wear the #42 after it was retired by Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson. This jersey features “NEW YORK” across the chest in navy and white tackle twill. The Russell Athletic tag, along with the “1998” tag is sewn on the bottom front left tail. The back of the jersey has Mariano’s number “42” sewn on in navy and white tackle twill. The sleeve ends are capped with a ribbed material in a navy/white/navy pattern. Rivera has signed his name in bold blue marker below the “YORK” on the front of the jersey and inscribed “#42” and “98 Game used”. This jersey displays moderate game use and comes with a LOA from MEARS (313355) for the game use and has been graded a perfect GU 10. Additionally, there is a LOA from Sports Investors Authentication (190103A1) for the game use and a Steiner HOLOGRAM ONLY for the signature.