Pair of Detroit Tigers home pants worn by Hall of Fame outfielder Ty Cobb during the 1920s. Accompanied by an LOA from MEARS, which has certified the garment as "Authentic" (as a matter of policy, MEARS does not grade pants, jackets, or hats). Ty Cobb game worn items are exceedingly rare. While we cannot state with certainty how many Ty Cobb game worn jerseys and pants have survived, the number is probably fewer than ten combined, with pants representing the minority within that total. This is the first pair of Cobb pants we have ever offered and we cannot recall having seen any other examples offered alone at auction in the past twenty-five years. 

The white flannel pinstriped pants feature a button fly and two back pockets. The name "Ty Cobb" has been chain-stitched in navy upon the exterior side of the fly panel featuring the buttons. No manufacturer's tag is present, but there is no evidence of one having been removed. The pants are original as issued, complete with all four original fly-panel buttons, and both rear-pocket buttons. As one would expect from pants worn by a player as active as Cobb was on the basepaths, heavy wear is displayed throughout, including a few small holes, a team repair to a tear on the right front leg, and light blue stains near the base of each leg (the staining on the legs might be more a result of the manner in which the pants were stored over the years as opposed to field action). 

MEARS has dated the pants to the broad seven-year span 1920-1926. The Tigers wore pinstriped home uniforms every year during that period with the exception of 1925. Cobb was player-manager of the Tigers from 1921 to 1926, which was his final year with the club. Despite the extra stress associated with managing, Cobb was still a formidable presence at the plate, batting over .338 every season, including .401 in 1922 (he lost the batting title that year to George Sisler, who batted .420). Ty Cobb game-worn jerseys rarely come to auction, and when they do, they are usually far out of the price range for most bidders. Pants such as these, while equally rare, offer the same game-used status, but at a much more affordable level, making them an outstanding alternative for collectors wishing to own a garment worn by the legendary "Georgia Peach." Full LOA from MEARS.