(LOT 1694)
2003 Chicago Cubs Sammy Sosa Game-Used and Inscribed Jersey for HR #s 526 & 527! MEARS LOA
In 1998, St. Louis Cardinals' Mark McGwire, Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa, and for the first half of the season Seattle Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. set the baseball world ablaze with the home run derby chasing New York Yankees Roger Maris' 37-year-old mark of 61 home runs. McGwire (70) and Sosa (66) would eclipse the hallowed record that season only to have it later sullied due to rampant steroid use in Major League Baseball of which each player was accused. But the home run race renewed interest in baseball that had still been waning following the 1994 MLB players' strike. Sammy Sosa continued to light up the scoreboard for the Northsiders for the next six seasons, averaging 50 home runs and topping the 60-mark two more times in 1999 and 2001 before retiring in 2007 with the Texas Rangers.

Offered is a 2003 Chicago Cubs game-used and inscribed grey road jersey from when the right fielder bashed a paltry 40 dingers placing him 10th among home run leaders that season. Starting off the year with his 500th home run in Game 1, Sosa donned the offered jersey during an August 10th game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and feared hurler Kevin Brown, who surrendered home runs 526 and 527 to the slugger. The Majestic jersey is inscribed in Sosa's own hand "Game-Used – 2003 HR 526 527 – Aug 10" in blue Sharpie to which Mears Authentication graded A10. Within the collar is stitched "21 48 03 53" designating the player's number, size, year and set number. The jersey remains in near-mint to mint condition with minimal soiling at the sleeve cuffs. This is an amazing piece of memorabilia from a dark era in baseball, but it is still an exceptionally desirable memento from one of the most feared sluggers in history and beloved Chicago Cub. MEARS LOA included.
MIN BID $500
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