October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
Most famous for his “Homer in the Gloamin” that won the 1938 National
League pennant, catcher Gabby Hartnett was the heart-and-soul of the
Chicago Cubs during the team’s last glory years. Regarded as the
greatest catcher in the National League during the first half of the
20th Century, Hartnett retired in 1941 and went on to manage in the
minors for several years as well as to lead his own semi-pro barnstorming
team. A team photograph found in the book “The Game That Was: The George
Brace Baseball Photo Collection”, have led us to determine this uniform
set likely came from that barnstorming team. The heavy gray size 40
Wilson flannel pants show heavy use. Pine tar and turf stains can be
found on both the front and the back of the pants and a stain from the
belt buckle can be seen above the fly. “Hartnett” is stitched in navy
thread on a strip tag and sewn into the waistband below the Wilson
label. All buttons are present but one on the left rear pocked has
broken in half. The pants have navy piping down the legs, matching the
photograph in the Brace book. The light gray stirrups have red and blue
stripes, again matching the Brace photo. The pair show some use and
loose threads but have no holes. The gray undershirt is in very good
condition with no holes. There is a faint manufacturer’s stamping in the
inside collar but is not readable. Overall an interesting set from a
Hall of Famer’s personal barnstorming ball club. This jersey comes with
a full letter of authenticity from game worn jersey expert Dave Miedema.