Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
Just like the one Hammerin’ Hank wore on that fateful April Day in Atlanta when he broke the mighty Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, this vintage looking throwback jersey is evocative of baseball’s bright polyester 1970s and conjures images of the man who made it famous. If not for the official “Hank Aaron 715 25th Anniversary” patch with the MLB logo on the upper left front shoulder and the Cooperstown Collection Mitchell and Ness manufacturers label stitched to the left front tail (with white “1974” patch), the jersey looks exactly like the one Aaron wore when he knocked a one ball, no strike offering from Al Downing into the left field bullpen, setting off one the greatest celebrations the game has ever seen. The 1970s style cursive Braves logo is stitched in red, white and blue tackle twill across the chest above Aaron’s number 44 which also appears in bright blue tackle twill, with a white and red border on the back. The jersey’s blue shoulders are embroidered with red white and blue Braves feathers. Aaron signed the jersey in bold blue Sharpie on the front with a “4/8/74” inscription highlighting one of the most significant dates in baseball history. Jersey is identified as number 12 of 200 in marker written on the left front tail and comes with PSA/DNA COA #V73123.