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.
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, including Maris’ two home runs in the 13-4 victory over the Washington Senators on July 2; 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 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.
