The 1940 season proved to be a watershed in the history of the baseball uniform when the Cubs unveiled the first flannel vest jersey. While the experiment would last just three seasons, the Reds would resurrect the vest in 1956. This time around, the vest caught on with the Pirates (1957), Athletics (1962), Indians (1963), and Orioles (1968) all joining flannel vest fray. Today, flannel vests are highly coveted by uniforms collectors. The seven-button road gray flannel featured here was worn by four-time All-Star Bob Friend who led the N.L. in Era in 1955, wins in 1958, and was a key player on the 1960 World Series champion Pirates. It displays “Pirates” across the chest and “19” on the verso, all sewn-on in black on gold felt twill, along with black/gold piping adorning the collar and sleeve openings. Tagging includes MacGregor 44” in the collar and a “Set 2 1959” flap tag on the interior button path. This exemplar exhibits nice wear and is splendidly autographed on the lower left tail “Bob Friend 1959 Game Jersey” in NRMT black sharpie.