1972/1973 Jack McKeon Kansas City Royals Home Jersey Plus Matching Pants, Cap, Socks, and Belt

Sold For:

$470

Year:

1969

Auction:

2008 Spring

Lot #:

1390

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Kansas City Royals home uniform worn by manager Jack McKeon during spring training of the 1973 season. The white flannel jersey is lettered "Royals" across the front and features the number "31" on the reverse. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in blue tackle twill. A circular Royals team patch appears on the left sleeve. A "Wilson 42" label is located on the left front tail. The style of this jersey dates it to either the 1971 or 1972 season, but no roster player wore number "31" during either of those two years. Jack McKeon took over as manager of the club in 1973 and wore number "31" during his entire three-year tenure with the team. The Royals, however, switched to knits in 1973. Therefore, this jersey is most likely a 1972 jersey that was then worn by McKeon in the spring of 1973. (It has always been common practice for teams to wear the previous year's jerseys during spring training.) The jersey is completely original, with no alterations, and displays moderate-to-heavy wear including numerous age spots and a few small holes. Graded A7 by MEARS (base grade of 10, with 3 points deducted for the age spots and small holes). Currently, this is only the fourth Kansas City Royals flannel jersey listed in the MEARS population report. Included with the jersey are a matching pair of pants, with belt, from 1970, a pair of blue stirrup socks, and a circa 1973 pro-model Royals cap. Located in the waistband of the pants are a "Wilson 32" label and a white strip tag with the year, size, and inseam ("70 - p32 - 25") chain-stitched in blue upon it. The number "22" is written in black marker just to the right of the strip tag. The pants display moderate wear including light soiling. The blue cap features the team's "KC" logo embroidered on the front and displays light wear including soiling along the headband. Size 7 1/4 and manufactured by Wilson. The pants and hats have been examined by MEARS and are deemed "Authentic" (MEARS authenticates but does not grade pants or hats). This entire ensemble originated from the estate of Ed Leishman, a career baseball man who later served as a high-ranking team executive in both the Pacific Coast League and the Major Leagues. Leishman's professional baseball career began in the late 1920s as a player in the California State League. He later served as a Yankees scout and eventually ascended to the position of New York Yankees West Coast farm director (1947-1949) before founding the Salt Lake City minor-league baseball franchise in the early 1950s. In later years he served as general manager of the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League (early 1960s) and was the first general manager of the San Diego Padres Major League franchise (1969-1972). Leishman received many honors during his long career, including twice being named the Minor League Executive of the Year by The Sporting News (1959 and 1964). LOA from Dave Bushing & Troy Kinunen/MEARS. Reserve $200. Estimate $400/$800. SOLD FOR $470.00