Presented here is what is certainly the most elusive Detroit Tigers jersey in the hobby, and possibly the rarest of all twentieth-century Major League baseball garments: a one-year-only style Detroit Tigers home uniform (jersey and pants) worn by pitcher Ownie Carroll in 1927. This is the only example of this jersey we have ever seen and it is important to note that it has never been offered at public sale until now.
The white flannel pinstripe jersey is distinguished by what is arguably the most attractive team-logo patch ever to appear on a jersey: an enormous tiger-head measuring 6.25x6.25". The patch is entirely embroidered and is a true work of art. The colors remain vibrant and it remains free of any defects. The Tiger patch is 100% vintage and original to the jersey, but, for the sake of accuracy, we mention that at some point in time (decades ago), it appears that it was re-attached to the jersey, as we can see a thin line of stitch marks that perfectly follow the perimeter of the patch
A "Spalding" label appears in the collar, but an additional tag/label directly below has been removed. The name "Carroll" along with the set number ("3") and year ("27") are chain-stitched in navy thread on the rear right exterior tail. No number appears on the reverse because uniform numbers did not appear on Tigers uniforms until 1931. (The New York Yankees became the first Major League team to regularly wear uniform numbers in 1929.) All six buttons are original and remain firmly anchored. The jersey displays minor wear and the only noticeable flaw is some looseness to the piping around the color area.
The matching white flannel pinstripe pants feature a "Spalding" label in the waistband. Like the jersey, the name "Carroll," along with the set number ("3") and year ("27") are chain-stitched in navy thread on the interior button-fly panel. A metal clip serves as the waist fastener and all three buttons are original and remain firmly anchored. The pants display minor wear, with just a slight area of light-red staining near the leg holes. It must be emphasized that both garments remain in a remarkable state of preservation, with no tears, team repairs, heavy staining, or insect holes, which are so common to uniforms of this vintage. This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to obtain perhaps the rarest and most attractive uniform ever worn at the Major League level, and one that would be the highlight of even the most advanced jersey collection. Accompanied by a photo of Carroll wearing the same style jersey in 1927.