1993 Los Angeles Dodgers – Mike Piazza Game-Worn Rookie Jersey (feat. Memorial Patches)

Mike Piazza reached the Bigs in 1992 and played in 21 games after his September call-up. 1993 was actually his official rookie season, and he stormed the baseball world hitting 36 homers, knocking in 112 runs while recording a lusty .336 average. The Rookie of the Year honor was bestowed and he promised to become the top-hitting catcher of all time.

This Dodgers home knit was worn by Piazza during that 1993 season and the jersey’s team-instituted number change makes it all the sweeter and more historic. Tim Wallach was acquired by the Dodgers in the off-season and took #25 while waiting to change with Lenny Harris who had #29. Meanwhile, Roger McDowell had worn #31 during the ’91 and ’92 seasons for the Dodgers. Piazza had been issued #25 during the September 1992 call-up, and was scheduled to wear it in ’93. McDowell, however, surrendered #31 to Piazza for the ’93 season thus explaining the number switch from #25 to #31, the uniform number by which he is now so familiarly identified.

Overall, the jersey shows moderate use. The interior tail has the red Rawlings tag with the [size] 48 and the SET 1 1993 flap tag.

Two memorial patches can be found on the sleeves the one on the right represents Roy Campanella and Don Drysdale. The left sleeve has a “52” representing a former pitcher Tim Crews.

Provenance:  “This jersey was obtained from Mondesi’s Uncle, who had passed away.His name was Andres and he was originally from Cuba.  He was like an uncle to Mondesi, Henry Rodriguez, Carlos Hernandez and several other Latin players on the Dodgers , including Jose Offerman and some on other teams.

Mondesi took this jersey from Piazza’s Dodgers locker. Piazza was obviously upset and caused a stir but Mondesi never returned he jersey.  Mondesi gave it to his Uncle Andres.   This jersey was obtained in LA and stayed with the purchaser of the jersey in LA and has never been out of his possession.”