Babe Ruth 100th Anniversary Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2014
In what became one of the most sentimental and exciting World Series' ever played, the New York Yankees faced the Arizona Diamond Backs in 2001. In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack, the country adapted the Yankees, once the team you loved to hate, as a symbol of unity after the devastation visited on lower Manhattan. Though the Yankees did not win the series, it was none-the-less one of the most dramatic ever played. Going the full seven, New York came back from sure defeat in game 4 and 5 and seemed to have the deciding game in the grasp when Arizona rallied in the bottom of the 9th to win it all. Mariano Rivera was on the mound during the Series' two most exciting moments. In Game 4 Rivera came in to hold off the Arizona bats until the game was won with Derek Jeter's 10th inning home run. Having been hit on November 1st, it was the first home run ever hit in an MLB game that late in the year and Jeter became known as "Mr. November". Rivera's dominance over the Diamond Backs earned him the win. The Sandman was also on the mound during the second and most dramatic moment of the Series: Arizona's Game 7 win. With the game and Series all but wrapped up, Rivera uncharacteristically gave up a series of hits that combined with several misplays resulted in Luis Gonzalez' game (and World Championship) winning single. Despite the loss (Rivera's only one in the 17 World Series games he appeared in!), the game's greatest closer had a great Series, finishing up 4 of the games and giving up just 2 hits in 6.1 innings.
The Sandman's Yankees road jersey is an emotional reminder of that memorable Series. Gray with white and navy ribbed cuffs, the right sleeve features the special metallic gold, red, white and blue American League 100th Anniversary patch, while the left sports the 2001 World Series patch. In a solemn tribute to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attack a black mourning band wraps around the lower sleeve. "NEW YORK" is proudly proclaimed across the front in navy and white tackle twill. Russell Athletic label is sewn in the lower left front tail with added size "46" and "2" EXTRA LENGTH" tagging. Two Steiner holograms 31937 are affixed to the label. The back of the jersey has Rivera's number "42" in navy and white tackle twill. Just below the neck is the American flag patch which was added to all MLB uniforms in the aftermath of 9/11. The jersey exhibits light game use, with some few loose threads minor staining that don't distract one bit from the attractiveness of this piece of World Series history. Rivera has signed the front of his jersey in blue Sharpie adding "01 W.S. Game Used". A stunning piece of the game's history that not only evokes memories of the most exciting World Series of the decade, but also demonstrates how baseball once again came through when needed to soothe the nation during a difficult period in American history.