October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
This bright green jacket is very much part of a Charlie Finley led baseball team. This was an organization run very tightly with regards to money, and many players despised their owner due to his tightfisted nature and crazy antics. One of the biggest moments of Finley cheapness was the issuance of the 1973 World Series rings, which was more similar to a gumball ring than one for winning a World Series. But the players banded together and won three straight World Championships from 1972-74, the same time this jacket was work by multiple A’s players. Finley constantly recycled anything associated with his team. This jacket is from the 1969-1974 issuance period, and has the nylon exterior with cloth collar, waist and cuffs in the green/gold/white color pattern. The large “A’s” insignia appears on the left chest in white on gold tackle trim. The interior has the baby fur with a “KM Pro” manufacturers tag, the size “42” tag and a coat hook in the collar. Just below is a 3” x 4.5” satin patch with multiple black marker number and names, most crossed out indicating this jacket was recycled. By researching the numbers and names listed and when they played with the Oakland A’s, the jacket was used during the entire issuing period. It was used by Vida Blue early in his career as the number 21 is next to Blue’s name and Blue wore this number in 1969, his rookie season. Blue also wore the number 28 in 1969, and his number is also written on that patch. Other players who likely work this jacket were Bob Johnson in 1969-1970, Mudcat Grant in 1970, Dwain Anderson in 1972, Bill North in 1973 and John Donaldson in 1974. With all this use, the overall wear shows. The leather trim on the pockets exhibit some light cracking and general wear with the A’s symbol having some light discoloration. However, the button snap closures are very nice with only a few showing light scratches. Near the bottom of the exterior are a couple areas of dark smudges, typical usage of players putting on and taking off the jacket. This jacket shows great overall player use, was worn by multiple players including by Vida Blue during his rookie season. This was all at a time when the cheapskate Charlie Finley was assembling his dynasty, then winning three Straight World Series titles.