Auctions
Tug McGraw’s 1980 Phillies World Series jersey expected to attract six figures in MLB All-Star Game Auction
When Tug McGraw struck out Kansas City’s Willie Wilson to record the final out of the 1980 World Series, it was one of the most dramatic and thrilling moments in Philadelphia sports history.
As the Phillies’ dominant closer leaped into the air to celebrate the franchise’s first world championship, the city of Philadelphia celebrated with him.
“Perhaps no other specific athletic moment in the long and rich history of Philadelphia sports is more indelibly branded into the hearts of its fans,” said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions. “Tug McGraw's leap into the air was so much more than celebrating a single victory, but rather a broad exhale of jubilation and achievement to be shared by all sports fans of the city's faithful.”
Related Content:
The Phillies home jersey McGraw was wearing when he recorded the final out is coming to auction during the 22nd MLB All-Star Game Live Auction by Hunt Auctions.
The jersey originated from the personal collection of a young Phillies fan whose father was acquainted with former Phillies owner Ruly Carpenter. A high school athlete, the young man tore his ACL in 1978 and, at the behest of Carpenter, was invited to rehab with legendary Phillies trainer Gus Hoefling.
During his rehab, the young fan met and developed relationships with several Phillies stars, including Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski and McGraw. Two years later, the 19-year-old young fan was given an all-access pass to Game 6 of the 1980 World Series by Carpenter. After the historic victory, he was in the locker room during the team celebration when McGraw walked up to him and said, “Here, this is for you,” and handed him his game-worn jersey.
He was also given a game-used bat by Schmidt, which is also in the All-Star auction.
According to Hunt, the jersey has been carefully preserved in the recipient's personal collection for over 45 years. After its recent discovery, the jersey was submitted to MeiGray Authentication, where it was photo-matched to Game 6 of the 1980 World Series.
The jersey has an estimated price of $300,000-plus in the All-Star Game Live Auction to be held on July 14 at the Capital One All-Star Village at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
“There have, and will be, other glorious sports moments in the continued story of the City of Brotherly Love, but there will only be one ‘first’ such moment of the significance represented by the offered jersey,” Hunt said.
