Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
1973 Ron Hunt Montreal Expos Game Worn Jersey
Displayed is a 1973 Ron Hunt Montreal Expos game used jersey, completely original except for the top button, which appears to have been replaced. Hunt was a second baseman who played in 12 Major League seasons: New York Mets (1963-66); Los Angeles Dodgers (1967); San Francisco Giants (1968-70); Montreal Expos (1971-74); St. Louis Cardinals (1974). Hunt did not have good speed, and he had less than average power, and hit a pedestrian .273 lifetime, so Hunt needed a way to contribute to team success: He found it - being hit by pitches. He was a master at it. Once, in 1964, he irritated future Hall of Famer Bob Gibson by stalling when Gibson was only two outs away from a complete game win against Hunt's Mets. So, Gibson plunked Hunt with a pitch. Hunt showed his disdain for Gibson by tossing the ball back to Gibson. That effrontery by Hunt ensured that he would be targeted in the future. Hunt led the National League in being hit by pitches in seven seasons, with a high of 50 HBP in 1971 (a modern MLB record), with the Montreal Expos. Hunt explained the preparation for getting hit by a pitch: "Blouse the jersey; choke up; get on top of the plate." The offered jersey is powder blue. In the neck is a worn Wilson manufacturing tag, with loose threads, showing size 44. The left chest of the jersey has the Expos logo and the name "Expos" in blue sewn-on letters. The right chest of the jersey has "33" in blue sewn-on numerals with white trim. The left outside tail has a "73 Set 2" tag. The back of the jersey has "33" in sewn-on numerals, blue with white trim. The sleeves have red, white, and blue piping. The jersey has seven buttons, with the top one not original. There is some minor creasing. The jersey shows very good use, yet it is in overall very good condition. Hunt led the National League by getting hit 24 times by pitches in 1973, so the odds are overwhelming that Hunt was hit while wearing the offered jersey. The jersey is a testament to how a gutsy ballplayer could last a dozen years in the Major Leagues, mostly on his extreme willpower. After his career, Hunt did not have serious baseball injuries, yet he lightheartedly said, "Some people give their body to science. I gave mine to baseball."
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
Circa 1926 Rare Official National League Baseball in Box.
1940's St. Louis Browns Player's Jacket
1974 Jim "Catfish" Hunter Game Worn Glove
1979 Bruce Sutter Game Worn Cap & Spikes
1994 Barry Bonds Game Worn Batting Helmet
2001 Rickey Henderson Game Worn Glove
2001 Rickey Henderson 3,000 Hit Game Worn Batting Helmet
