Rare and attractive offering of the Seattle Pilots first uniform offerings worn in Spring Training in 1969. What truly makes this jersey special is that Mike Hegan was the only Pilots player selected to the 1969 All Star Game. Hegan did not play in the game and was replaced on the roster by teammate Don Michner. With the Pilots lasting only one year in the league, you have to opportunity to start and end a collection of Seattle Pilot’s All Stars with one winning bid. The uniform features a vintage Hegan autograph in the lower left front tail and the garment itself is in absolutely un-improvable condition as an A10.
Subject: 1969 Mike Hegan Seattle Pilots Road Spring Training Jersey
Size: The jersey is tagged as a size 42 and this is the true size of the jersey. This was confirmed by measuring the chest as well as comparing the jersey to on hand period Wilson jerseys in sizes of 40, 42, and 44. Period sizing data on Hegan from the 1969 Street and Smith Yearbook shows him listed at 6’ 1”, 195lbs. This jersey as function of size is also consistent with other period Hegan flannel uniforms in the MEARS data base:
-1969, Home, Wilson, Size 42
As such I would consider this to be an appropriated sized uniform for Hegan at this point in his career.
Manufacturer: The jersey is identified as a Wilson product by the manufacturer's label (c 1967-1973) in the lower left outside front tail. Wilson is known and confirmed supplier to the Pilots for their spring training uniforms and for the home regular season offerings as the road regular season jerseys were supplied by Spalding.
Construction: The jersey is constructed of professional grade flannel fabric as assessed by the weave and fabric quality as seen under a digital microscope. The Raglan sleeves, button down front, and no name on the back are all team/year appropriate. The jersey is without a 1969 100th Anniversary of Major League Baseball patch (or evidence of application) nor are there any forms of supplemental player identification beyond that of the numeral “8” on the back. These too are appropriate for Pilot’s Spring Training Uniforms.
Use/Wear/Condition: The uniform is in original unaltered condition and shows signs of medium to heavy use in for form of wash wear and surface wear to the lettering and numbering. The jersey is lightly soiled in spots, but these areas are best seen as being soiled when viewed under UV lighting. All buttons are assessed as being original and remain firmly affixed the garment. The only writing on the jersey at the time of my evaluation was the somewhat faded autograph of “Mike Heagn” in the lower left front tail.
Opinion: In my opinion this jersey possesses all the characteristics you would expect to see in jersey manufactured in 1969 by Wilson for use and wear by Mike Hegan in spring training and that it is all original and free of any alterations or evidence of contrived use or wear.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted. I found no reasons to deduct points:
Final Grade for jersey bearing hologram #311902 is A10
Dave Grob
MEARS