One of the most beautiful pieces we have handled. Worn on cool nights by none other than the premier third baseman of the dead ball era, Heinie Groh. This sweater dates from some of his best years, the early 1920's. Heinie Groh was much more than an average player. In 1924, he had a fielding average of .983 which was then a major league record. He hit over .300 four times in his career and won two World Championships, 1919 and 1922. This sweater, with its incredible aesthetics, is arguably more appealing than a jersey. An all wool creation, it is very heavy. The colors of red and blue are as radiant as they were when Heinie wore it. All original buttons on the front along with a nearly pristine interlocking "NY" in red felt. There is a Bradley Knit Wear Major League tag in the collar with a small plate for the player name below the tag. On that plate is written in faded ink, "GROH". Other than a few small snags and tiny holes, the condition is immaculate. The snags and holes appear to be from use and not the result of inadequate handling or storage. The lineage of the sweater has been recorded in a letter that is included here. Written by the grandson of the original recipient, it states that his grandfather owned a property near Crosley Field (then known as Redland). Traveling players would stay on his property and he became very close friends with some of them including Heinie Groh. As a gesture of friendship, Groh gifted this sweater to the property owner. This is the very first of its kind that we have offered for sale.