Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
As happens periodically, MLB switched its official uniform supplier, and for the 1992 season Russell Athletic replaced Rawlings. Many of the players were not happy with the fit of the new Russell's and continued to wear their old Rawlings. Modern licensing being what it is, MLB had to cover up the old Rawlings logo on the right sleeves of the jersey. When a young catcher named Mike Piazza was called up to the Dodgers in September of 1992, he was one of the guys who preferred the old Rawlings product. As such, this 1991 dated road jersey issued to him has been modified with a blue strip to mask the offending logo, making this jersey easily identifiable in period photos of Piazza. Piazza was issued with number "25" with which he finished out the 1992 season. The following spring Piazza was issued the same jersey after the 1992 30th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium patch was removed from the left sleeve. He was also given the now familiar "31" and the old number (25) was replaced on this road jersey which he wore during spring training. This jersey has been immortalized on two baseball cards of Piazza, the 1992 Topps Stadium Club issue and the 1993 Bowman card, a very good "photo match". With these plentiful clues assembled by uniform expert Dave Miedema, we can solidly state that this is the very first road jersey issued to future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza.
The jersey shows light wear. Traces of the removed sleeve patch and changed player numbers can be seen. Rawlings size "48" label is present inside the collar and "Set 2 1991" tagging has been added. The timeless Dodgers script arches across the front in brilliant blue and white tackle twill and the now-famous "31" is in contrasting red. The logo cover-up patch is still sewn on the right sleeve. "PIAZZA" and "31" in blue and white tackle twill are sewn directly onto the back of the gray knit jersey. You won't find an earlier Mike Piazza MLB jersey with such solid documentation as this. Letter of Authenticity from uniform expert Dave Miedema.