Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is rightfully associated with his time in Chicago with the Cubs, which is understandable considering he spent 15 of his 16 seasons in the Windy City. Sandberg did make his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981, where he appeared in only 13 games with 6 plate appearances and 1 hit. The 1984 National League MVP wore this Philadelphia Phillies home jersey during his Major League debut on September 2, 1981 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

This white with burgundy pinstriped Phillies home jersey has the original Talon brass zipper-front with the Phillies “P” logo from the 1970s/80’s on the upper left chest in burgundy tackle twill. Sandberg’s Phillies’ number “37” is sewn on the right chest in burgundy tackle twill. The inner placket and collar is lined in white linen. The back of this jersey has “37” sewn on in burgundy tackle twill and “SANDBERG” sewn on in burgundy tackle twill on a white nameplate. This nameplate was replaced with what was originally a crudely rendered “RASMUSSEN” nameplate. According to game used baseball jersey expert William Henderson, who also provided some of the restoration work on this jersey “Phillies vertical arch nameplates were all drawn and cut by hand in those days before computer graphics, and every one is unique, with different size and shape letters. This one is especially inexact, with several letters in different sizes and stroke widths from the others.” (Please see the detailed letter of professional opinion/document of restoration letter provided with this jersey.

The inside collar has the original team name tag with “Rasmussen” embroidered in black in what is the unmistakable “handwriting” of the Wilson factory worker. This was for Jim Rasmussen who was a perennial Phillies pitching prospect from 1979-1982 and was a regular in spring training. Rasmussen never made the pro club and the “81” tag on the front left tail, along with the Wilson size 42 tag, is a key indicator that this jersey was issued and worn by Sandberg for his callup in September of 1981. A historic jersey from one of baseball’s best-ever second baseman making his pro debut. This comes with the aforementioned LOA from noted baseball game used jersey expert William Henderson, who details the restoration work from the back nameplate only and that Sandberg used this jersey.