November 2016 Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/19/2016
Steve Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from 1972 through 1985, with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, 1986, he played for the Seattle Mariners. Yeager made his Major League debut with the Dodgers on August 2, 1972. He started 34 games that season, backed up Joe Ferguson in 1973, and split time with Ferguson for the pennant-winning 1974 club. Thereafter, Yeager was the starting catcher for the Dodgers and became an integral part of the Dodgers' success in the 1970s and early 1980s. Yeager helped the Dodgers to the World Series in 1974, 1977, 1978, and 1981. In the '81 Series against the New York Yankees, he shared the World Series Most Valuable Player award with teammates Pedro Guerrero and Ron Cey. Yeager, who was backing up Mike Scioscia by that time, did not have overwhelming stats for the Series, as he went 4-for-14 (.286), but three of his hits were a double and two home runs. One of the homers, off Ron Guidry, turned out to be the game-winner in Game 5.
Offered is Yeager’s 1980 game worn Los Angeles Dodgers road jersey. The size 40 gray jersey (No. 7) exhibits light usage which is typical of knit jerseys from this period and has had the 1980 All-Star patch removed which was done by the Dodgers equipment manager on most of the road jerseys from the 1980 season.
Proper tagging exists as the W.A. Goodman & Sons by Mizuno Corporation Osaka, Japan manufacturer’s tag can be found on the inside rear collar with washing instructions included on the inside of the jersey. The team name “Dodgers” appears across the front in Dodger blue tackle twill script lettering outline in white. His jersey number “7” appears in red tackle twill on the left chest. “YEAGER” can be found on the reverse in semi-circular fashion across the top in Dodger blue tackle twill outlined in white as well as his uniform number “7,” which measures eight inches tall. Fraying of the numbers and letters on the jersey exists and all six original buttons remain intact.
Additionally, this jersey comes with an original ad from the early 80’s from Bruce Hartel Sports who purchased a bulk lot of 1980 Dodgers jerseys from the team listing the Yeager jersey for sale.
Letter of Authenticity from Richard Albersheim.