Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
"Mr. Red Sox" began his career in Boston back in 1942, quickly establishing himself as the best shortstop the team ever had. Opposing pitchers couldn't strike him out and every year he seemed to finish second in batting to teammate Ted Williams. After his big league career ended in 1954 he moved into the role of player-manager in the minors, first with the Denver Bears in 1955 and then with the Durham Bulls in 1956. It was during this period that Pesky used this glove, showing the youngsters under his command first-hand how to field like a pro. Pesky's Rawlings Harvey Haddix (HH) 11" model glove shows tremendous game use. The Rawlings label is missing from the wrist strap and there are many scuffs and stains expected from a hard-worn infielder's glove. The palm lacing has been removed as well as the lacing from the thumb loop, pinky loop and the binding on top of the pinky. The web lacing is stretched beyond the tolerance expected from a Major League-used glove, indicating that the glove was used by another player after Pesky retired it. In fact, Pesky gave the glove to his brother Vince and his signed LOA attesting to this provenance accompanies this lot. Pesky's number "6" is hand written in faded black ink just to the right of where the Rawlings label was sewn. The outside of the pinky has "John Pesky 1949" written in black marker, an erroneous notation as the glove can be dated to Pesky's last two pro seasons in 1955-1956. A great game used glove from one of Boston's greatest shortstops. Letter of Authenticity (1G00234) from PSA/DNA.