Munson’s game-used official Wilson gray Yankees road pants from the 1979 season. The manufacturer’s tag is sewn to the inner front waistband and embroidered with the size, “35,” with an adjacent strip tag embroidered in navy chain stitch, “Munson 79 3 22.” In fine condition, with general expected wear from use and a bit of soiling to the back. A Steiner Sports Yankees Collection label is affixed to the Wilson tag. August 2, 1979, was an off-day for the Yankees, having just finished off a six-game road trip. Munson, who had been flying for over a year, had purchased a million-dollar Cessna Citation I jet a month earlier and took the opportunity to practice touch-and-go landings—in a tragic accident, he clipped a tree at the end of the runway and crashed, bursting into flames. With this, the Yankees lost not only their catcher but their team leader—the first to be named team captain since Lou Gehrig. It is fitting to note that all of Munson’s home runs in 1979 were hit on the road, perhaps while wearing these pants—a remarkable game-used piece representing the end of an era. RR Auction COA.
