A 1927 New York Yankees uniform worn by backup infielder Ray Morehart has been consigned to auction and will be sold this spring. The rare uniform representing one of baseball’s greatest teams is still in its original, unaltered state. The ’27 Yankees were Morehart’s final team after a brief but solid big league career and the lot to be offered by Heritage Auctions includes his contract, signed prior to that historic season.
The gray flannel jersey represents a rare uniform style deviation for the Ruth-Gehrig era New York club. Since formally adopting the name “Yankees” in 1913 (after the team left their “Highlanders” moniker behind at Hilltop Park upon its move to the Polo Grounds), the words “New York” have been sewn across the chest on every road uniform to date except for the years 1927-1930. Morehart’s jersey is of the very rare “Yankees” variant, still firmly affixed in its gently faded navy felt. The back of the jersey is blank, since it was issued prior to the adoption of player numbers two seasons later. The “Spalding” label appears at interior collar, where an age-mellowed “Morehart” is embroidered directly into the flannel in red. The original buttons are still attached. 
The matching grey flannel pants are identically tagged and embroidered at interior waistband. Morehart’s original stirrups, one bearing a vintage team repair, are included in the lot.
While most fans and collectors may have never heard of Morehart, he was a valuable player on the ‘Murderer’s Row’ Yankees, making more game appearances than any other non-starter on that season’s roster. Previously, he’d spent time with the Chicago White Sox.
His 1927 Yankees uniform appears to have survived the succeeding 84 years well. The auction company acknowledges moth holes exist but indicates they “are not a significant distraction and do not threaten the structural integrity of the garments”. As with several other Morehart lots within this auction, the uniform derives from the family and is accompanied by their letter of provenance. Morehart’s 1927 Yankees contract is signed by team owner Jacob Ruppert and a cover letter is also included.
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