Displayed is a Willie Mays New York Mets signed away jersey (MEARS A10) that was game worn during 1973, "Say Hey Kid's" final season. "I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw," said Willie Mays, in a statement that is more honesty than braggadocio; a statement with which many baseball observers would agree. Mays was a Hall of Fame baseball prototype for the five-tool player: Mays could hit - a .301 lifetime batting average; Mays could hit with power - a career 660 home runs; Mays could run - 339 career steals; Mays could field - his over the shoulder grab in the '54 World Series in New York's the Polo Grounds was so spectacular that "the catch" has long been a reference to the aforementioned grab; Mays could throw - a cannon for an arm, just view the whirling throw he made to the infield after his '54 World Series catch. 

The Hall of Fame center fielder began his career with the New York Giants (1951-52 & 1954-57), went to San Francisco with the Giants (1958-72), and closed out his playing days back in New York with the Mets (1972-73). The 1951 NL Rookie of the Year was a 2-time NL MVP. In 1973, Mays was 42 years old and struggling. Willie himself describes how he felt during his final season in '73: "I remember the last season I played. I went home after a ballgame one day, lay down on my bed and tears came to my eyes.... It's like crying for your mother after she's gone. I cry because you love her. I cried, I guess, because I loved baseball, and I knew I had to leave it." Mays finished out the '73 season with a .211 batting average and six home runs. The 12-time Gold Glove winner played poorly on defense in the '73 World Series that the Mets lost to the Oakland Athletics. Willie Mays retired.

The knit gray, button down, short-sleeve jersey has seven clear buttons. In the collar is a sewn-on gray strip tag that reads, ""42" for size; "73" for year; "24" for uniform number. Across the chest is "NEW YORK" in sewn-on, 3 1/4" blue letters with orange trim. Below that is "24" in sewn-on, 4 1/8", double tackle twill blue numerals with orange trim. The outside lower left tail has a Wilson manufacturer's tag showing "42" for size. On back is "24" in 8 1/4" double tackle twill. On the left sleeve is a sewn-on New York Mets patch. The jersey has a 23" chest measurement and a 33" torso measurement. Willie Mays signed the jersey in blue marker on the right chest. Willie's first name is faint, but legible. The game worn jersey exhibits moderate use. In a few places, the blue trim shows pilling. The offering comes with a MEARS Letter of Opinion (Cert. #322398). The MEARS Letter of Opinion gives the game worn jersey a base grade of "A10." Comes with PSA LOA for autograph.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: 21.09 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.