For the purpose of evaluation and description, this jersey is referred to as a 1983 Johnny Pesky Boston Red Sox Coaches Road Jersey. After a detailed visual inspection and evaluation of this jersey using lighted magnification, a light table, a digital microscope, UV light and various references, MEARS offers the following noted observations:
Jersey is dated to 1983 by the "83" year identifier sewn to a knit swatch below the Wilson tag. This manner of year identification is both year and team appropriate.
The size of the jersey is tagged as a 42 and this is the true size of the jersey. Pesky is listed as being 5'9" 168lbs as a player. Other Pesky jerseys in the MEARS database include:
1941 Louisville Colonels Road size 42
1963 Red Sox Home size 42
1975 Red Sox Home size 42
Font Style: The font style and placement of the individual letters of BOSTON is also appropriate for a 1983 Red Sox Road jersey. Johnny Pesky wore #6 while coaching for the Red Sox between 1981 and 1984. In 1984, the Red Sox varied how the letters of the word BOSTON would be broken up at the button line. This offered jersey is consistent with the pre-1984 lettering placement.(PLATE I)
Wilson is a known confirmed supplier of road jerseys to the Boston Red Sox during this period of time. The style of manufacturer tag is also period appropriate.
The jersey shows signs of very light use and wear. This is consistent with Pesky's role as coach as opposed to an active player.
Based on the physical examination of the jersey and supporting data, it is our opinion that this jersey possesses all of the characteristics you would expect to find in a 1983 Boston Red Sox road jersey manufactured by Wilson for use and wear by Johnny Pesky.
For Pre-1987 jerseys, the MEARS grading metric begins at base grade of 10 with five (5) major categories for consideration when looking to codify deductions. We found no reasons to deduct points for this offered jersey. As such the final grade for this jersey with MEARS hologram number 31169 is A10.
MEARS LOO
01058