Goldin Elite Auction Ending May 22-23
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/23/2021
This lot closes on May 23rd, 2021 at 10:00 PM EDT for initial bids.
Willie McCovey closed out his Hall of Fame career in 1980 with the San Francisco Giants, the team with whom he spent 19 of his 22 illustrious seasons as a first baseman. The 1959 NL Rookie of the Year and 1969 NL MVP was a fearsome left-handed power hitter who hit with such force that famed manager Casey Stengel once remarked about the three-time NL home run leader during an on-mound meeting with a pitcher “Where do you want to pitch him, upper deck or lower deck?” McCovey was named to six All-Star Games and led the NL in RBI twice during a career that saw the potent and feared slugger intentionally walked a record 45 times in 1969, such was the fear he struck in the hearts of opposing pitchers and teams. McCovey would hang up his cleats after the 1980 season, batting .270 with 521 home runs and 1,555 RBI, gaining entry into Cooperstown in 1986 on the first ballot.
Presented here is a black alternate San Francisco Giants jersey worn by Hall of Famer Willie McCovey during his final MLB season in 1980. The black pullover jersey with orange, white, and black stripes on the sleeves and collar features “GIANTS” across the chest in cursive orange-on-white tackle twill. The number “44”, worn by McCovey in honor of fellow Mobile, Alabama native Hank Aaron, appears in orange-on-white tackle twill on the chest and back of the jersey. A black swatch labeled “44 80” in orange embroidery appears on the jersey’s left front tail. A Wilson “MADE IN U.S.A.” number “44” manufacturer’s tag appears on the inside collar. McCOVEY” appears displayed across the back of the jersey in orange-on-white tackle twill on a matching black nameplate. The jersey shows excellent signs of game use with stains on the number “4” on the back of the jersey and small white stains located on the back of the jersey. Small white stains appear under the front collar of the jersey and the fabric on the left front tail shows elements of staining. The game used jersey worn by Hall of Fame slugger Willie McCovey during the 1980 season comes with an LOA from Elite Sports Photo Matching, who photo matched the jersey to McCovey’s 1980 final season.