Memorabilia from the career of baseball legend and Hall of Famer Leroy “Satchel” Paige is incredibly scarce, with the nomadic pitcher’s career spanning almost a full 40 years across four countries. Paige passed away in 1982, shortly before the collecting hobby kicked into high gear, granting items signed by Paige a mysterious rarity that continue to enthrall even the most serious members of the hobby. Goldin Auctions is proud to offer this St. Louis Browns replica jersey signed by Satchel Paige, a virtually unheard-of treasure that would instantly become the centerpiece of any collection.

Paige played for the St. Louis Browns for three seasons, joining the team in 1951, at the age of 44. Paige, a natural showman, had pitched for Browns owner Bill Veeck’s previous team, the Cleveland Indians, but it was with the Browns that Paige truly recaptured his form from the Negro Leagues. In three seasons with St. Louis’ American League team, Paige won 18 games and saved 27, and was named to two All-Star teams. Despite playing nearly year-round since the mid-1920’s, Paige appeared in a staggering 126 games over his three years in St. Louis, a number that belied his advancing age and provided a testament to his pitching genius. Formerly a dedicated fastball pitcher, Paige began throwing a dizzying array of pitches as his career seemingly wound down, changing his arm angle and altering velocities on a batter by batter basis. Paige left the Browns after the 1953 season, but his career in organized baseball would not end until after the Mobile native pitched one game with the Peninsula Grays, Cincinnati’s A-level team, in 1966 at the age of 59.

Paige was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1971 thanks to the newly formed Negro Leagues committee. Paige was the first player inducted into the Hall primarily for his career in the Negro Leagues, and the second African-American player inducted after Jackie Robinson in 1962. Today, a statue of Paige in the middle of his distinctive windup graces the grounds of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

The offered Browns replica jersey was manufactured by Empire Sporting Goods. An Empire size “XL” tag is sewn on the back inside collar. “Browns” is sewn across the chest of this button-down flannel jersey in brown felt, with a brown paraph under the team name. Paige has signed his name below the paraph in bold black marker. The former Pittsburgh Crawford has underlined his signature with his trademark panache. This off-white jersey is in fantastic condition, with minor staining near the waist the only blemish on this otherwise stunning jersey. The back of this jersey is blank. It is accompanied by a LOA from JSA (Z55106).

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