For a team that lasted but a single season the legacy of the Seattle Pilots boldly lives on. Much of this has to do with the book “Ball Four” in which Jim Bouton chronicles his trials and tribulations during his season spent with the Pilots as well as the unique design and colors of their items. The later is visually apparent in this grouping collected by their most notable player and chronicler Jim Bouton. The famously unique Seattle Pilots jersey is included in the group.

The home white flannel has the winged baseball patch and  “pilots” logo on the left chest in blue and gold tackle twill and Bouton’s famous “56” opposite in the same color and material. The sleeve openings are ringed in blue and gold ribbing and a size “42” Wilson label is sewn in the lower left front tail. A number “8” in blue and gold tackle twill is sewn on the back. The jersey shows good use with many pine tar stains and toning found throughout. Originally the jersey had Mike Hegan’s number “8” on the front and this has been replaced with Bouton’s “56”. During the 1969 season all MLB teams wore the 100th Anniversary patch on the left sleeve including the Pilots - except on this version of the home whites. The sleeve of this jersey correctly does not have any ghosting or holes where a patch would have been affixed. Unlike other existing versions of this jersey style there is no chain stitched “1969” under the Wilson patch.

Bouton’s Pilots undershirt is also included. The size XL McAuliffe shirt has a cream colored body with Pilots’ blue 3/4 sleeves. The front has a three button enclosure with all three buttons intact. “BOUTON” is printed in large block letters inside the collar in blue marker. “56 BOUTON” is also printed on the outside back of the shirt in blue marker. The shirt shows tremendous use with many stains and toning throughout the garment and the back has several holes and tears.

Perhaps the real prize of the collection is an unbelievably scarce team issued Seattle Pilots t-shirt. The front has “SEATTLE” arched above the winged ball logo screen on its front. The back has been inscribed in black marker with “BOUTON (FORMER STAR)”. A Holovak Coughlin Sporting Goods label is still attached inside the collar. The shirt shows tremendous use and has several holes and pine tar stains and toning. Not many of these tees have survived from the Pilots single season and this is attributed to the teams most prominent alumni. Bouton’s copy of the 1969 Pilots yearbook is included and is in excellent condition as is a vibrant red full-size Pilots pennant almost mint except for several folds from storage. A Seattle Pilots souvenir baseball completes this group. An incredible collection of the most famous of short-lived MLB franchises.

Includes an LOA from Jim Bouton.