This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/27/2012
When Babe Ruth retired in 1935, it was thought that his all-time record of 714 home runs would never be broken. After all, it would take an average of 36 home runs per year for 20 years to accomplish such a task. The careers of Jimmy Foxx, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and Eddie Mathews had proven that while the pace was attainable, being able to sustain it for two decades was nearly impossible. Only a man who could consistently reach 30+ homers per season, was virtually impervious to injury, and could defy the affects of father time well into his 40s would be able to accomplish such a feat. Enter Henry Louis Aaron! Hank Aaron, while a budding superstar for the Milwaukee Braves in the mid 1950s, was not initially given the notoriety as his counterparts in the Big Apple, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. And while Babe Ruth put up yearly statistics that were unprecedented for his day, Aaron's numbers were merely in line with other great sluggers. Never did Aaron top the 50 home run mark in his career, but his 16 consecutive seasons of 145 or more games played allowed him to consistently smash 30 home runs or more, a mark he accomplished 15 times. At age 37, Aaron achieved his personal best with 47 round-trippers. At age 39, Aaron clouted 40 dingers in just 396 at-bats. With the addition of 42 home runs after the age of 40, Hank Aaron retired as the all-time home run king. Offered is an amazing piece of sports memorabilia that would stand as the cornerstone of any great jersey collection, a game-used and autographed 1972 Atlanta Braves home-knit jersey, worn by former all-time home run king Hank Aaron. On the inside back collar is the "Medalist Sand-Knit Atlanta Braves" exclusivity label, with an additional Sand-Knit size 44 label below, and team stitched, white felt swatch reading "72-Set 1." These tags have been re-sewn. All lettering and numbering is done in blue on white on red tackle twill. The jersey is autographed by Aaron on the front, with added "BEST WISHES 4/10/72" in blue marker (Aaron had 639 lifetime home runs when the jersey was signed), and shows good game use, with no apparent alterations of any kind, except for the re-sewn tags. LOA from Grey Flannel, JSA, Mile High Card Co.