This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/8/2018
It is a story that’s told of many gifted athletes over the past 150 years – a story of what might have been. In this instance, it is a gifted outfielder named Ryan Kalish whose promising career was cut short by injury. Based on the supplemental placket tagging the offered Chicago Cubs alternate jersey (#51) was issued to outfielder Ryan Kalish in 2016. He only appeared in 7 games with the club during their curse breaking World Series Championship season, with the Cubs wearing jerseys matching this style only during his May 3rd & 4th games when he pinch hit & finished the game as a defensive replacement. Many respected baseball analysts believed Kalish was destined for stardom, his inaugural 2010 season with the Red Sox earning him Boston’s Top Rookie honors. Fast, aggressive & powerful offensively, he was also speedy and daring in the outfield. At the start of 2011, Kalish sustained a season-ending injury after crashing into the outfield wall in pursuit of a fly ball. Plaqued by complications thereafter, he eventually underwent spinal surgery in January of 2013, and by year’s end, found his way back to his former boss, Theo Epstein, now with the Chicago Cubs. Following a call-up to the Cubs in early 2016, the injury-hampered Kalish was asked to pinch hit in against Washinton with two outs, the bases loaded and Chicago behind in the score. Kalish responded with a 2-run base hit, giving the Cubs a lead that earned them the victory. Days later, Kalish was sent back to Iowa, eventually leaving with a .368 batting average after being told additional surgery was eminent. Rather than face another year of rehab and the uncertainties that followed, Kalish stepped away from the game that had been his for the taking since childhood. Based on the jersey’s hologram, the jersey was apparently sent to the Cubs’ Spring Training facility in early 2017, but was not re-issued. Kalish’s name and number still remains anchored to the back of the jersey. For those compiling a World Championship Cubs jersey collection, or even attempting to secure an authentic example of a Cubs game-used jersey from that historic season, it is doubtful 2016 Kalish gamers were available for public sale, and thus, are significantly more difficult to acquire than the most players from that history-making squad. MLB hologram #JB98013. (16R0400)