Prodigious slugger and Japanese baseball legend Sadaharu Oh wore this Yomiuri (Tokyo) Giants flannel home jersey during the 1960’s. The lefty first baseman played for the Giants from 1959 through 1980, crushing an unprecedented 868 home runs and winning nine Central League MVP trophies. Oh could do it all at the plate, hitting .301 for his career with five batting titles and a pair of triple crown triumphs. An 11-time Japan Series champion, Oh enjoyed perhaps the best season of his career in 1964, setting a new NPB home run record with 55 homers, to go with a .320 batting average and 119 RBI. Although he was originally signed by the Giants as a pitcher, Oh’s legacy as a hitter is unparalleled in Japanese baseball.

The flannel jersey offered in this lot is a white button-down, with “GIANTS” sewn across the chest in black and orange wool felt. As the Tokyo Giants were named by the American baseball icon Lefty O’Doul, their aesthetics are similar to that of the New York/San Francisco Giants. “TOKYO” is sewn on the left sleeve in black and orange wool felt. This size large jersey features a “Tamazawa” manufacturer’s tag sewn on the back inside collar. A black and orange wool felt “1” has been added to both the front and back of the jersey by the authenticator of this garment, as it was presented to said party sans numerals. This jersey displays light use with evidence of laundering. There are loose threads throughout the sleeve and neck trim, along with several small holes that can be found throughout the jersey. There was a tear on the front between the “T” and the “S” that has been repaired. Please note that the authenticator also performed a small repair to the “TOKYO” on the left sleeve. This jersey comes with a LOA from Sports Investors Authentication (200713E1) for game use and a Document of Restoration letter from William F. Henderson.

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