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Lot # 764: 1960s Willie Mays "It's Cold Out There" San Francisco Giants Game-Worn Jacket with Incredible Provenance

Category: Baseball Equipment

Starting Bid: $3,000.00

Bids: 4 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed

Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring 2014 Catalog Auction",
which ran from 6/23/2014 11:45 AM to
7/25/2014 9:00 PM



The 24-time All-Star and perhaps greatest-ever ballplayer presented this jacket to the child of a world famous Semetic family Mays was close to. The jacket was obtained at a San Francisco Giants day game circa 1965 at "The Stick." According to the boy's detailed letter of authenticity and provenance, he was in the Giants clubhouse before the game. Willie Mays saw the familiar youngster about to go out for a catch wearing only short sleeves. Mays pulled this very jacket from hanging in his locker and tossed it to him. There Willie Mays voiced these lasting words taken right from the LOA, "You better put this on it's cold out there." Mays then teased him about his mother sending him out to the game without a jacket. The boy (now a man) kept this beloved, treasured jacket for nearly half a century. Included is a photograph of Willie posing with the boy at the time. The jacket was purchased directly from him by a most respected collector near and dear to us. "Giants" is written in script on the left sleeve, and there is a Tim McAuliffe Size 50 tag in the collar, though it measures to be smaller. Most importantly, there is a perfectly aged "24" written in perfectly aged vintage marker on a swatch above the McAuliffe tag. Black satin, official Giants jacket with orange and black trim was worn by the ultimate Hall of Famer on chilly evenings at frigid Candlestick Park. In fine condition with no rips or holes while still displaying really nice use. An important piece with great provenance. This is by far better than any Mays jacket we have seen or heard of. Simply, the best of the best.

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