October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
Sam Rice is one of those rare Hall of Famers who are all but forgotten today. It's no reflection on his career stats - it's because Sam Rice's team is no more. The outfielder spent 19 of his 20 big league seasons with the Washington Senators. From 1915 to 1933 Rice was one of the most consistent hitters in the American League. When he managed to get on base, which was quite often, Rice was particularly effective. His deft base running could break a game wide open. His quickness was particularly effective in the outfield, most famously for a catch he made in the 1925 World Series when he snagged a fly ball and tumbled into the stands. The out was one of the most controversial calls in Series history, only fueled by Rices refusal to say either way if he made the catch. When he passed away in 1974 he left a letter which when opened revealed the answer - he DID make the catch! For all Sam Rice did for baseball in Washington, he was all but forgotten when his team left the capitol for Minnesota in 1961. Had he played for the Yankees or Cubs, the outfielder would surely be commemorated today with a statue or part of the stadium named in his honor, but his old team is no more. These pants were game worn by the Hall of Famer some time in the mid 1920's to 1934. The waist band has "Rice" in faded red chain stitching. Rice's name has been crossed out with black ink and "TATE" written beside it. Bennie Tate was a teammate of Rice from 1924 to 1930 and as was customary back then, older jerseys and pants were often re-issued to players in need of them instead of ordering a whole new set. The original Spalding label is still sewn in the waistband and appears to be the style used circa 1925 to 1935. Beside the label "EXTRA" has been inked in black, reinforcing the idea that this pair was re-issued to Tate. The blue pinstriped flannel pants show good game use. There are a few small pin holes but no rips or tears. There is some staining found through out, most notably on the upper rear area below the belt loop. None of these issues are distracting as all are what would be expected from a twice-issued set of pants. The four fly buttons are all present and look to be original to the pants. Game used uniforms from the pre-war era are extremely hard to come by, especially a piece named to a Hall of Famer like Sam Rice. This item comes with a LOA from noted game used expert Dave Miedema