Mr. October’s most famous pinstripes are going on the auction block.
As first reported by Sports Collectors Daily, the jersey Reggie Jackson was wearing October 18, 1977, when he hit three homers in Game 6 of the World Series will be up for auction this spring. SCP Auctions will offer Jackson's size 44 No. 44 home white button-down in its catalog auction in April.
Experts anticipate that it will sell for a minimum of $500,000. Some of the proceeds from the sale will go to Jackson's Mr. October Foundation for Kids.
David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions, says he believes the Jackson jersey could bring more than any other sports jersey sold in the modern era. He wouldn't be surprised to see the sale reach seven figures at the conclusion of the bidding. A Babe Ruth jersey worn in the 1920s was sold at an SCP Auction last year for $4.4 million, making it the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia ever sold.
SCP says the 1977 Jackson World Series jersey has been photomatched to the night in which he led the Yankees to their first post-Mantle era World Series title. Jackson had signed what was at the time a lucrative five-year free agent deal with George Steinbrenner’s team just 11 months earlier. It was Jackson who was to help deliver another title, and under immense pressure, he came through.
Jackson’s three homers came off three Dodger pitchers that night, and each came on the first pitch he saw.
So delirious was Yankee Stadium crowd that night that Jackson had to retreat to the dugout in the top of the ninth to retrieve a batting helmet in hopes of protecting himself from fireworks landing nearby. As the final out was made, fans began pouring onto the field, and Jackson made a mad dash for the clubhouse wearing this jersey, memorably knocking over trespassing well-wishers along the way.
Jackson has promised to autograph and inscribe the jersey before it is sold.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments