Fifty-four years ago this week, the New York Mets used the first overall pick in the MLB Draft to pick a top catching prospect out of Arizona. A little more than a year later, Steve Chilcutt injured his shoulder, effectively ending a once promising career. The Oakland Athletics had the number two overall pick and went with a slugging outfielder from Arizona State. Reggie Jackson would go on to become a Hall of Famer and multi-time World Series champ.
Now, one of Jackson’s earliest game worn items—one that originated in his own collection and can be seen on one of his old baseball cards—is about to hit the auction block.
Heritage Auctions will offer the throwback style green vest in its upcoming Summer Platinum Night Auction where it’s expected to bring a six-figure price. Jackson’s autograph is prevalent on the front.
The first of two photo matches dates to a June 15, 1969 visit to Fenway Park in Boston that saw Jackson go three-for-four with one home run, three runs scored and four RBI’s. It’s the one Jackson is wearing in the photo used to create his 1970 Topps base card.
Jackson had a breakout year in ’69, belting 47 homers, with 118 RBI and an American League-high 123 runs. He also led the league with a .608 slugging average.
The A’s used the same jerseys in 1970, with the Baseball Centennial patch removed and the apostrophe-S was also removed in favor of the simple “A.” The stitching path of the missing elements are still visible, according to Heritage.
Jackson’s emergence helped the A’s become one of the greatest teams in post-War history, winning three straight World Series titles from 1972 through 1974.
The jersey vest is part of a large auction that is currently scheduled to open on July 28.
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