This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2010
In 1994, at age 18, Alex Rodriguez made his Major League debut, becoming the youngest player to take big league hacks in over 10 years. He suffered at the plate, hardly topping the Mendoza line in 54 at-bats, with just 11 hits and no home runs. The following season, at age 19, he fared slightly better, collecting 33 hits and 5 home runs in 142 at-bats (.232), just enough for qualification as a rookie, which requires at least 130 at-bats and no more than 45 days on a Major League roster. It wasn't until the following season of 1996, however, that the young Mariner from Miami made his first major headlines for his staggering offensive production, leading all of baseball in batting (.358) and doubles (54), and leading the AL in runs (141) and total bases (379). The talented youngster also cleared the bases 36 times and drove in 123 runs, helping him to his first of 13 consecutive All-Star games and to a much-debated second place finish in the AL MVP voting, losing to Juan Gonzalez by a mere 3 voting points, or just 1% of the total voting share. Proudly featured in this lot is an authentic game-used #3 Mariners jersey, used by A-Rod in who knows how many games over the course of his break-out 1996 season. Authenticated with LOA by PSA/DNA, Alex has signed the reverse in a sprawling half-foot-long signature above the inscription "Game used 1996." Some light puckering, almost certainly from consistent game-use and re-use (he was basically still a rookie in 1996, after all), can be observed on the front, while the back sports a tremendously appealing, arched nameplate above the #3. A Mariners team patch with sparkling silver twill adorns the left arm, and the expected Russell Athletic label can be found on the front left tail, along with a computerized tag reading "1996" and two other tags, one for the jersey's 100% polyester fabric content, the other for A-Rod's preferred 1" extra length. Personally authenticated in A-Rod's own hand, guaranteed authentic by PSA/DNA, and easily among the scarcest and perhaps most significant A-Rod gamers extant. Additional LOA from Mile High Card Company.