Welcome to Lelands - Sports Memorabilia and Card Auctions

Lot # 711: 1996-97 Mike Bordick & Mark Belanger Baltimore Orioles "Turn Back the Clock" Game Worn Jersey Pair

Category: Baseball Equipment

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2024 Winter Classic",
which ran from 2/25/2024 10:00 AM to
3/16/2024 10:00 PM



Presented is a pair of 1996-97 Baltimore Orioles' Turn-Back-the-Clock Night game used jerseys that were worn by Mike Bordick and Mark Belanger, both Orioles' infielders: 1) Mike Bordick (Baltimore Elite Giants' jersey) played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues: Oakland Athletics (1990-96), Baltimore Orioles (1997-2000 & 2001-02), New York Mets (2000), Toronto Blue Jays (2003). He batted a lifetime .260, and made his living with his good glove, mostly as a shortstop. Most notable about his career, was that in 1997, he became the regular Baltimore shortstop, replacing icon Cal Ripken Jr., who continued his Iron Man Streak of consecutive games, but moved to third base. In the '97 season, Bordick batted .236, and was a defensive standout, finishing in 2nd place in Defensive WAR in the AL. The Bordick game worn jersey is a replica of the jerseys worn by the famous Baltimore Elite Giants, a Negro National League team. This Baltimore team had no official connection to the Brooklyn Dodgers, but Dodgers stars Roy Campanella, Joe Black, and Jim "Junior" Gilliam all played previously for the Baltimore Elite Giants, and Pee Wee Butts, a long-time shortstop for the Baltimore Elite Giants would have been a star Major League shortstop but when Major League Baseball began to integrate in 1947, Butts was considered too old to play in the Major Leagues. Across the chest is "Baltimore" in black sewn-on script. Six silver buttons run down the front. On a "banner" under the above is a sewn-on "ELITE GIANTS" in red letters on the black "banner." On the left outside tail is an "AIS" manufacturer's tag, and underneath that is a size "44" tag. On back is 14 in sewn-on black numerals. Bordick has signed the jersey in two places: on the left chest and on the upper back, both times using a black marker. The jersey shows very light use, and it is in EXCELLENT condition. 2) Mark Belanger (Baltimore Orioles' jersey) was a long-time fixture at shortstop for the Orioles. He played 18 seasons in the Major Leagues: Baltimore Orioles (1965-81), Los Angeles Dodgers (1982). Known as "the Blade," because the 6'1" Belanger played at only 170 lbs., Mark struggled at bat, hitting .228 lifetime, with 20 homers; he more than made up for his batting with his great defense, and he was an 8-time Gold Glove winner. Belanger was a 3-time AL leader in assists and a 3-time AL leader in fielding percentage. The offered Belanger game worn jersey is gray. Six gray buttons run down the front. On the left outside tail is a "Powers" manufacturer's tag. Adjacent to the foregoing is another Powers' tag, indicating size 46. On back is a sewn-on black number 7. What makes the jersey distinctive and rare is the creatively designed Orioles team name on the front. "Orioles" is in sewn-on black script with orange trim. Reminiscent of the iconic St. Louis Cardinals' "two birds-on-a-bat" design, above the "Orioles" is a yellow bat with two Orioles (birds) perched on either end of the bat and looking at each other. It's a great, colorful look and seldom seen. This jersey has a very thin, approx. one-inch-long stain on the front and a few other tiny stains. Overall, the jersey is in nice condition. The pair of Turn-Back-the-Clock jerseys has great eye appeal, and if displayed together, will pay homage to old-time Baltimore baseball.

Views: 307