Willie Mays the man who launched 660 career home runs started his playing career in 1951 with the New York Giants and ended it in 1973 with the New York Mets. After Mays retired as a player he remained in the Mets organization as their hitting instructor until the end of the 1979 season. This lot features a jersey worn by Mays as a coach for the 1975 New York Mets. It is believed that this jersey was prepared for Mays to wear during the 1976 season – with the [Joan Whitney] Payson/[Casey] Stengel armband on it paying tribute to the former Mets owner and original manager respectively – but since the Mets changed manufacturers that year they were no longer wearing Rawlings-produced jerseys.

On the left front tail is the proper Rawlings manufacturer’s tag complete with washing instructions included and jersey size “42.” Attached to that is a flag tag reading: “SET 1 #8P 1975.” On the inside rear collar is a strip tag that embroidered “42 75 24” in blue chain stitching. Across the front of the jersey is “Mets” in blue script tackle twill outlined in orange. His iconic number “24” appears on the front and back in similar tackle twill fashion. Mays has signed the front of the jersey in black marker and added the inscription “Best Wishes” which we would rate an 8-9/10 in our book. The left sleeve is sporting the Mets trademark blue orange and white embroidered patch with the New York City skyline in the background. Adjacent to that is the Payson/Stengel black memorial armband in remembrance to the two pivotal fallen baseball icons. The jersey shows some wear and is properly tagged.

Full LOA from PSA/DNA.