This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/2/2014
Offered is a Detroit Tigers home jersey which was donned by utility man Howard Johnson during the club's 1984 World Series Championship Season. HoJo appeared in 116 games spending the majority of his time at third base but also logging innings at shortstop, first base, center field and left field. 1984 would mark Johnson's final year with the Tigers as he would be dealt to the New York Mets, who would make their own memorable World Series run in 1986, for hurler Walt Terrell during the following offseason.
Size: The jersey is tagged as a size 40 Wilson product and this is the true size of the garment when measured across the chest and compared with on hand 1984 Wilson products (button down style) in sizes 42 and 44. Sizing convention for Wilson at this time is same for both their button down and pullover style garments, but actual button down Wilson exemplars from 1984 were used for comparative analysis. The 1984 Detroit Tigers Yearbook lists Johnson at 5’, 10”; 175lbs. As such, I would offer that this is an appropriate sized garment for Howard Johnson at this point in his career.
Manufacturer/Tagging: The jersey features a c1979-1985 Wilson manufacturer’s tag in the lower left front tail of the garment. In proximity to this are also tags for year/set with these annotations chain stitched onto a knit swatch. In this same area is an additional tag with the numeral “24” done in the same applique. This last tag bearing the number “24” is NOT a roster number, but a team laundry/inventory tag for the Detroit Tigers. All of these tags are assessed as being original to the garment and consistent by team and manufacturer when compared to data base exemplars.
Use/Wear: The jersey shows signs of moderate to heavy use and wear, best seen in the condition of the navy blue soutache along the collar and placket. Fade and surface wear to the twill “D” lettering on the front is consistent with the garment in general. The name on the back and rear number have been restored and this is a high quality restoration executed by Mr. Lon Lewis on or about 1 October 2013. Even with these restorations, I feel comfortable that the jersey was in fact originally bore the #20 and featured the name JOHNSON on the back because I was contacted by Mr. Lewis via e-mail on 18 September 2013 and at that time Mr. Lewis confirmed he could see the outline of the original name and number. I do not doubt this is same jersey since it was accompanied by Mr. Lewis’ statement/invoice for the restoration work.
All buttons are assessed as being original to the garment and they remain firmly affixed. At the time of my evaluation, there was no writing or autograph on the garment.
Non-Grade Related Commentary: Howard Johnson played 116 games for the Detroit Tigers in 1984 before being traded to the New York Mets on 7 December 1984 for Walt Terrell. Although the jersey did see extended organizational use (evident by the name removal and number change), the jersey is from the season that saw the Tigers win both the American League pennant and the World Series in a 4-1; 5 game series with the San Diego Padres. Detroit Tigers jerseys from this period, in any condition, are difficult to find and are not considered common when compared to the available inventory in the hobby/industry of other major league teams of this vintage.
Opinion: It is my opinion that this jersey possess all the characteristics I would expect to see in a 1984 Detroit Tigers home jersey manufactured by Wilson for home use by Howard Johnson in that same year. All tagging is assessed as being original to the garment without any signs of alteration or contrived application. The name and number on the back have been restored and this restoration is assessed as being historically accurate and well executed.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted, I found these reasons to deduct points:
Category 3: -3 Restored number on back
Category 3: -3 Restored name on back
NOTE: No points were deducted for this being a “two player” jersey since this is the reason why the restorations were performed. To deduct points for this would be tantamount to making deductions twice for the same set of environmental factors.
As such, the final grade for this jersey bearing hologram #313374 is A4.
Dave Grob
MEARS
Enclosures:
-Restoration Documentation, Mr. Lon Lewis; dtd 1 October 2013.
(60N0011)
(MEARS LOA)