Roger that!
A uniform worn by Yankees legend Roger Maris’ while he smashed 61 home runs in his epic 1961 season could fetch more than $1 million at an auction later this month.
The pinstripes from the slugger’s record breaking MVP and World Series winning season is currently bidding at $340,000 – but Heritage Auctions, which is hosting the online sale, expects it won’t go home for less than seven figures.
“Everything about this uniform is significant and magnificent,” gushed Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports auctions.Heritage Auctions
New York Yankees legend Roger Maris wore the uniform during the record breaking MVP and World Series winning season in 1961.Bettmann Archive
Maris’ number “9” wool-flannel blend jersey, matching pants, navy blue belt and stirrups “survive in [their] original, unaltered condition” according to Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports auctions.
“Everything about this uniform is significant and magnificent,” gushed Ivy.
“It is recognizable even from a distance, and there’s no disputing the weight of history carried on its narrow shoulders…about which so many movies have been made and books written,” Ivy continued.
While Maris wore a few jerseys throughout 1961, the uniform currently under the gavel has been photo-matched to several key moments at Yankee Stadium during that historic season.
Maris hit two home runs in the 13-4 victory over the Washington Senators on July 2 while wearing it; one home run in the 2-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 15; and two home runs in the 7-2 defeat of the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 2.
The jersey depicts the “NY” logo on the chest and the number “9” on the backside. A “Maris” swatch is sewn into the collar, “Spalding [size 44]” is tagged on the lower left front tail, and the historic “61” is embroidered into the jersey body. A felt swatch with “Maris 9 36 61” is embroidered in the matching pants.
The jersey depicts the “NY” logo on the chest and the number “9” on the backside.Heritage Auctions
A felt swatch with “Maris 9 36 61” is embroidered in the matching pants.Heritage Auctions
The uniform – which was previously on display inside the museum at Yankee Stadium – is up for bid through Feb. 22.
The item consigner’s deceased husband acquired the uniform from a “close friend” of the Maris family in the 1980s, according to Heritage.
In 2004, the jersey that Maris wore when he hit his record-breaking 61st home run during the 1961 season sold for $302,000.
