Hank Aaron 1968-1969 Atlanta Braves Signed Game-Worn Road Jersey

• Sold For: $25,850
• Year: 1968
• Auction: 2010 May
• Lot #: 1
• Auction Category: Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

As the 1960s neared its end, Senior Circuit sluggers Hank Aaron and Willie Mays continued their strides toward Babe Ruth's unfathomable record of 714 career home runs. While age and the effects of lengthy Major League service began to take effect on Mays, Aaron showed no such signals of wear, catching and leaving his contemporary in the dust, as he eventually shattered Ruth's mark. The offered Atlanta Braves apparel was donned by "Hammerin' Hank" during the 1968 and 1969 seasons, as he began to separate himself from the field and silence any doubters as to the longevity of his potent swing. Having entered the '68 campaign with 481 career circuit clouts, Aaron added 29 more to his ledger, including No. 500, which was launched, fittingly, on 7-14 at the expense of San Francisco's Mike McCormick. The following season, Aaron delivered 44 more round trippers, as he powered his Braves to the postseason for the first time since 1958 and for the first time ever as representatives of Atlanta. Additionally, Aaron wrested the attention of the baseball world, which took notice not only of his pursuit of Mays, but of his legitimate shot at Ruth, as well. Unwavering in his quest for home run supremacy, Aaron wore and autographed this gray flannel button-down garment with "Braves" angled across the chest in blue-on-red double tackle twill and his since-retired number "44" sewn to the back in like fashion. A "Laughing Brave" logo patch adorns the left sleeve, and an MLB silhouette logo "100th Anniversary" patch is sewn to the right sleeve. The tapered and vented left front tail is home to a "Spalding" label and size "40" tag, as well as a laundering instructions tag and "SET 1 1968" flap tag. Just above the tagging, Aaron's black marker signature projects ("8") strength and clarity. Within the collar, a felt strip tag bears embroidered identifiers that read "44 40 68" (respectively denoting uniform number, size and year). The tagging arrangement is consistent with other 1968 exemplars, while the aforementioned right sleeve patch indicates that the jersey was re-issued for the following season. There are four holes (as tailored) under each arm to facilitate ventilation. All original and unaltered, the Hall of Fame heirloom exhibits evidence of moderate wear, with minimal fraying and puckering about the twill components. Full photo LOA from Dave Miedema (attesting to the jersey's authenticity) and auction LOA from James Spence Authentications (for autograph only).