Notes: Clemente didn’t merely wear items of baseball clothing, he wore them out. Perhaps it was superstition or comfort, but once he broke in something that covered his frame he wouldn’t discard it until it was falling apart. A classic example is this knit Pirates sweatshirt he wore under his uniform (especially the classic Pirates vests) for what seems like his whole career by its condition. The shirt is soft enough from innumerable washings that it’s almost gossamer to the touch, and the black sleeves are shredded above the wrist areas. There are also rips and holes across the rear of the neck and upper back, and on the lower sides. Still, the shirt bears those magical Clemente elements -- a “21” on a panel behind the neck and “Clemente” in block letters across the back, both hand-written in black marker that has faded. Considering who wore it, we’d call it a “hole-y” shirt. Tagging in the interior of the neck is “Rawlings [size] 50”, with a second tag partly torn off above it. Hang with care as always with any items worn by Clemente. Came directly from the teammate that Roberto gave this to.

Condition: Heavy use.