With 3,010 career hits and a lifetime .328 BA over 18 seasons, Wade Boggs was simply one of the greatest hitters of his generation. Boggs made his MLB debut in 1982, hitting a lofty .349 in 104 games with the Boston Red Sox. In only 338 at bats, Boggs collected five homers, 44 RBI, and 35 walks against only 21 strikeouts for a rapidly improving Red Sox nine.

Offered here is this classic white Boston Red Sox button-down jersey, a 1982 edition worn by Boggs during his rookie season, features “RED SOX” across the front in Tuscan font red on navy tackle twill, with red piping around the neck and running down the front on either side of the buttons. Boggs’ number “26” is sewn on the back of this jersey in McAuliffe-style red and navy tackle twill. A Wilson size “42” manufacturer’s tag is stitched to the front left tail, above a white strip tag with “82” stitched in black. The placket of this jersey is lined with linen for player comfort and displays some staining on the back neck where it would be in most contact with the player's skin. Boggs has signed his name on the front left center in black marker and inscribed “Rookie Game Used”. The jersey displays moderate game use with wash wear commensurate with a partial season of use. The letters and numbers are all original with the twill being unbleached and unfaded. There is slight puckering from the washing. This is a great early-career gamer from one of the best pure hitters baseball has ever seen and comes with LOAs from Sports Investors Authentication (191106D5) for the game use and from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A25389) for the signature and inscription.

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