Often you will see uniforms described as a “rare one year style”, but if this is truly the case, then what can be said about the rarity and value of a “one game style?” On 19 May 1979, the Philadelphia Phillies took the field wearing this blood red matched top and bottom and where subsequently slaughtered 10-5 by the Montreal Expos. Initial responses on these togs from the players, fans, and photographers was overwhelmingly negative. The next day, team publicity director Larry Shenk announced with a smile that the team would continue to wear the “Saturday Night Specials” until the team lost two in a row in them.
The Phillies opted not to wait for a second showcase. By May 25th, Shenk was back in the papers saying that the team had opted to discontinue the use of the uniforms because he said they “caused problems for the photographers” and “they ran a bit big, they did not fit the players too well.”
Presented by MEARS Auctions is your chance to land what is arguably one of the rarest uniforms of the knit era, if not in all baseball history. With less than seven known examples out there, there can only be a select few collections that will ever be able to boast as having one. The last one of these that MEARS offered commanded just under $9,000. With that bidder out of the mix, now is your time to strike. The crossover appeal and desire to own one of these is equally strong between both Phillies and style collectors.
Regardless of the comments of Mr. Shenk back in 1979, this uniform photographs extremely well, displays even better, and is a must have for any serious and advanced collection of major league uniforms of the 20th Century.
(B0209)