1969 Paul Blair Baltimore Orioles Game-Used Home Jersey

Sold For:

$4,113

Year:

1969

Auction:

2009 Spring

Lot #:

1221

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Baltimore Orioles home jersey worn by perennial Gold-Glove centerfielder Paul Blair during the club"™s pennant-winning season of 1969. Graded A9.5 by MEARS. The white flannel jersey is lettered "Orioles" across the front and features the number "6" on both the left breast and reverse. "Blair" is lettered on the reverse above the number. All front letters and numerals are appliquéd in orange tackle twill on black felt. All reverse letters are appliquéd in black felt. A Major League Baseball "100th Anniversary" patch adorns the left sleeve. A "Wilson 40" label is situated on the left front tail. Both the year and set number ("1969 Set 2") are chain-stitched in black upon a white strip tag located directly below the manufacturer's label. The "100th Anniversary" patch on the left sleeve has been replaced (the replacement is an authentic example); otherwise the jersey is all original with no other alterations. Moderate-to-heavy wear is displayed throughout, especially to the felt lettering and numbers. Paul Blair was one of the greatest defensive centerfielders of his era and the recipient of eight Gold Glove Awards between the years 1967 and 1975. Blair enjoyed one of his finest all-around seasons in 1969, batting .285 with career highs in both home runs (26) and RBI (76) in leading the Orioles to their first of three consecutive American League Championships. Graded A9.5 by MEARS (base grade of 10, with a half point deducted for the replaced patch). This is the only Paul Blair jersey, and one of only two 1969 Orioles jerseys listed in the MEARS census (the other 1969 example was worn by Frank Robinson and is graded A10). 1960s Orioles home flannels are highly desirable and this one is exceptional on all accounts: grade, player, and year. LOA from Troy Kinunen/MEARS. Reserve $300. Estimate $500/$1,000+. SOLD FOR $4,113