1969 Steve Hovley Seattle Pilots Game-Used Home Jersey MEARS A5

Sold For:

$6,600

Year:

1969

Auction:

2022 Spring

Lot #:

2635

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Rare 1969 Seattle Pilots home jersey worn by outfielder Steve Holvey during the club's only season. The white flannel jersey is lettered "Pilots" on the left breast, above which is the club’s embroidered logo patch. The number "36" appears on the both the right breast and reverse. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in blue on gold tackle twill. The player's name ("Hovley") is chain-stitched in blue upon a blue strip tag in the collar. The name of another individual ("Alex Ander") is written in blue laundry marker on either side of the name tag. The year "1969" is chain-stitched in blue on the left front tail, above which is a "Wilson 42" label. All of the letters and numerals on the front and back, including the front logo patch, have been restored. The name tag in the collar and the tagging/labels on the left front tail are all original. Moderate wear is displayed throughout.The history of the Seattle Pilots is quite brief. Joining the American League as an expansion club in 1969, the franchise, due to financial considerations, was quickly sold and relocated to Milwaukee the following spring. Although the team hardly distinguished itself on the field, finishing in last place with a 64-98 record, the club was later immortalized in Jim Bouton's groundbreaking "tell all" book, Ball Four. Because the Pilots played only one year in Seattle, game-used items, especially jerseys, are exceedingly rare. Graded A5 by MEARS (base grade of 10, with 5 points deducted for the replaced numbers and letters). Full LOA from MEARS. Reserve $500.