From Hornsby, to Musial, to Brock, to a 2011 World Series Championship, it’s been “Birds on the Bat”. Offered for your consideration is a first year style that represents a true transition point in the evolution of St. Cardinals’ uniforms. This style jersey retains the red soutache adorning the collar, placket and sleeve ends that that typified Cardinals gamers from the 1940s, but in a much more narrow width. In 1949, the Cardinals opted for a larger more “upright” Bird sitting atop a black bat. This continued through the 1950 season. Starting in 1951, the color of bat changed, yet the Birds remained large and upright. The Cardinals also opted to retain the zipper style closure through the 1955 season. Following a one year aberration in 1956, the Birds returned to the bat in 1957. However by this time, gone was zipper closure and the red trim and with it, the physical vestiges of the team that dominated the National League in the 1940s.
The jersey is tagged as a size 46 and this is the true size of the garment as confirmed through both physical measurement and comparison with on hand period Rawlings products in sizes 44 and 46. This size is also considered to be appropriate for Ted Wilks in 1951 based contemporary sizing data as well as another Wilks Cardinals jersey in the MEARS database. The uniform features tagging consistent with period Rawlings products and includes a c1948-1954 Rawlings manufacturers label, supplemental tagging for laundry instructions (Dry Clean Only), as well as appropriate year/set identification chain stitched into the left front tail of the jersey.
Missing from the jersey is the 1951 National League 75th Anniversary patch from the left sleeve (the outline of which still remains, but is best seen when the area is examined on a light table). The numeral “28” on the back is original to the garment, however the zipper closure on the front has been replaced with a more modern offering. The overall condition of the body of the garment is well above average considering its age. With the exception of a 30mm fabric tear/hole on the back that now features a very well done conservation patch that helps mask this defect as well as adding structural integrity to the area. The jersey is mildly and even soiled/toned throughout, but this is not a significant point of ascetic distraction.
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