This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/15/2014
From 1919-1922, Hal Chase, Frankie Frisch, High Pockets Kelly, Jim Thorpe, Dave Bancroft, Casey Stengel and of course, manager John McGraw all stood on the New York Giants dugout steps at one time, the last two years being World Championship seasons. Alongside them in that dugout was pitcher "Shufflin" Phil Douglas, a talented hurler whose tragic off the field troubles ended his career at the age of 32. Known throughout the game as one of baseball's top pitchers (when he was sober) his rampant alcoholism was so severe that manager McGraw staged his abduction and had him sent to a sanitarium for treatment. One surviving relic from those glory years is this New York Giants leather jacket. After purchasing the house once owned by Phil Douglas, our consignor discovered this jacket and many other personal effects from the time he unceremoniously left the game up to his passing in 1952. While the flannel lined jacket has clearly seen better days, with torn up elastic on the sleeves, collar and waistband and a hole in the leather near the shoulder, the heavy leather covering is still in impressive shape given its near century of age. The metal snaps still function well and the A. G. Spalding & Bros. label is still clearly legible within the back of the collar. While the New York Giants logo on the chest is stained and its color dimmed by time, it still presents quite well and serves as a symbol of "dead-ball" era baseball. A truly fantastic and unique piece of baseball history!