This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2015
This lot features a Bert Blyleven home white Minnesota Twins jersey exhibiting excellent overall use. This is the earliest Bert Blyleven Minnesota Twins home jersey to enter the hobby and one of just two that have appeared dating from his first stint with the Twins (1970-1976). The white knit jersey is lettered "Twins" across the front and features the number "28" on the left chest and reverse. All letters and numbers are sewn on in red on blue tackle twill. A Minnesota Twins team patch adorns the left sleeve. A white strip tag is affixed to the left front tail that displays both the year ("75") and set number ("Set 1"), each of which is chain-stitched in navy blue. The Wilson tag that was originally located in the collar is no longer present, but its stitch outline is still clearly visible. The shirt measures to a size 46, which is apropos for Blyleven. Aside from the Wilson label having been removed from the collar, the jersey remains in its original, unaltered state and displays heavy wear. The Twins often forwarded their jersey to the minor leagues after a player left which would account for the heavy use. Blyleven went 15-10 with a 3.00 ERA in 1975. Blyleven retired in 1992 with 287 wins, 60 shutouts (9th all-time), and 3,701 strikeouts (5th all-time). He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. This outstanding jersey has a particularly impressive provenance: it hails from the personal collection of noted collector and universally respected jersey expert Phil Wood, and is accompanied by an LOA provided by Phil Wood.