Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
Steve Bilko (1928-1978) was arguably the most popular athlete who ever played in the Los Angeles area prior to the arrival of the major league Dodgers. A much-feared slugger in the minor leagues, the star won the Pacific Coast League's Triple Crown in 1956—batting .360 with 55 home runs and 164 RBIs—and pounded another 56 homers the following year. He became such a fan favorite that a 1955 television show starring Phil Silvers was headlined by a character—"Sgt. Bilko"—who was named by a writer in Steve's honor. Although he'd spent brief periods in the big leagues during the '50s with the Cardinals and Cubs, the slugger was most at home in the P.C.L., where Bilko's prodigious power was able to flourish without suffering the high strikeout totals he tended to compile at the major league level. Finally, near the end of his remarkable career, Bilko's talents received a proper showcase in major league ball: he was called to report to L.A. as a result of the A.L.'s expansion in 1961. Here is a game used jersey and pants set from Bilko's first season with the Angels club. Includes: Game Used Jersey - flannel button-down garment with "Los Angeles" across the chest in navy-on-red felt appliqué and Bilko's number "20" on the back in like fashion. The collar and sleeve openings bear red-navy-red piping. Inside the collar, Bilko's number "20" has been written in black marker. A Tim McAuliffe main label appears on the left front tail with a year designator tag reading "'61." Solid wear. No size designator, but measures to size 54, appropos for the rotund 240-pound slugger. Extremely rare in original, unaltered state; Game Used Pants - flannel zip-up pants with red-navy-red piping down each leg. A Tim McAuliffe main label on the back of the inner waistband is accompanied by a year designator tag reading "'61" and three red chainlink stitched numbers: 20, 42 and 26. "Bilko" can also be seen in faded black marker. Good even wear. Also: Signed Flat Items (2) - including a signed and inscribed green index card (black ballpoint, "8") and a signed 1961 Topps #184 Steve Bilko gum card (black ballpoint, "8"). Flat items are EX to EX/MT. Auction LOA from JSA.