I have been hesitant to share this recent pick up but I figured the collecting hobby would enjoy seeing it. I recently picked up the jersey worn by Rickey Henderson on the final day of the 2001 season, October 7th, 2001.
This was the final game of Tony Gwynn's career. Rickey Henderson recorded his 3,000th hit during his first at bat when he blooped a double down the right field line.
Rickey went into second base standing up. He then moved over to third on a fielder's choice and later scored on a single to right field. Somewhere in between second base and home, he would slide and get dirty.
Rickey was pulled from the game after scoring the run. He would later return to the field in the 9th inning to coach third base during Tony's final at-bat.
Photos from the game show Rickey on the bench with Tony, at third base as a coach and at the post-game ceremony wearing the same jersey with the dirt stains.
The jersey has the 9/11 patch and the Tony Gwynn retirement patch. The padres only wore the Gwynn retirement patch for the final home stand of the season (6 games). Of those 6 games, they wore the navy jerseys twice, possibly three times. Seeing as though this jersey is still dirty, it makes sense that it is from the final game of the season.
I was in attendance at this game as well.
I will upload some better pics when I get a chance. I am curious as to how many 3,000 hit jerseys or bats are in private collections. If anyone knows of any, please let me know.
I know there has been debate over the Clemente 3,000th hit bat.