Babe Ruth 100th Anniversary Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/19/2014
Grant Balfour was a key cog at the back end of Oakland’s bullpen in 2013, notching 38 saves and leading the Athletics to the doorstep of the ALCS before a heartbreaking Game 5 loss to the Tigers in a highly-contested ALDS. The series loss was no fault of Balfour’s, who didn’t allow a hit and posted a sterling 0.00 ERA in three games during the playoffs. Balfour sported this signed, game-used green button-down road jersey during that 2013 postseason run.
Balfour’s signature appears on the reverse side of his number “50” jersey on the “5” along with the inscriptions “GAME USED” and “2013 ALDS,” all in bold, silver Sharpie. “Athletics” is scripted across the chest of the jersey, with “BALFOUR” across the back and his number “50” on both sides, all in gold-on-white tackle twill. A “2013 POSTSEASON” patch appears on the right sleeve, with an Athletics logo featuring the elephant standing on top of a baseball with a bat clenched in its trunk on the left sleeve. The front tail of the jersey, which features moderate evidence of game use, boasts a partially torn “Majestic Authentic Collection” manufacturer’s tag, size 48. The signed jersey comes with a JSA COA, verification number K47191 and has been authenticated by game used expert Dave Miedema.