After his phenomenal pitching won two games in the 1964 World Series Jim Bouton emerged as the ace of the Yankees pitching staff. With Whitey Ford and the rest of the staff rapidly aging the Yankees placed all their hope for a new dynasty on the right arm of Number 56. Unfortunately during the next two seasons the young ace was overused and by the end of 1966 the zip was gone from his fastball. During this time Bouton began honing his knuckleball in the hopes he could remain in the major leagues. This glove and cleats set was used by the Yankees pitcher during this pivotal mid-1960’s period of his career.

The Rawlings Fastback XFG 1P professional model glove shows great game use. The leather is won and stained from big league use. The inside base of the thumb has several holes worn in the leather and some of the lacing has been replaced and repaired. The Wilson label has been removed and a hand written inscription has been inked over in black marker - a textbook Major Leaguer’s glove. The black leather Spalding cleats show tremendous game use. The toe of the right cleat has been worn through and repaired with a replacement patch also worn through from use. The black laces are frayed and mis-matched. The metal spikes are dull from use and the leather soles have cracked. “BOUT” is written in marker on the inside of both tongues. A great set from the mid/late period of Jim Bouton’s professional career.

LOA from Jim Bouton.