Yankees legend Roger Maris 1961 uniform up for auction expected to fetch $1M

Roger that!A uniform worn by Yankees legend Roger Maris’ while he smashed 61 home runs in his epic 1961 season could fetch more than $1 million at an auction later this month. The pinstripes from the slugger’s record breaking MVP and World Series winning season is currently bidding at $340,000 – but Heritage Auctions, which is hosting the online sale, expects it won’t go home for less than seven figures.Maris’ number “9” wool-flannel blend jersey, matching pants, navy blue belt and stirrups “survive in [their] original, unaltered condition” according to Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports auctions.“Everything about this uniform is significant and magnificent,” gushed Ivy.“It is recognizable even from a distance, and there’s no disputing the weight of history carried on its narrow shoulders…about which so many movies have been made and books written,” Ivy continued. While Maris wore a few jerseys throughout 1961, the uniform currently under the gavel has been photo-matched to several key moments at Yankee Stadium during that historic season.Maris hit two home runs in the 13-4 victory over the Washington Senators on July 2 while wearing it; one home run in the 2-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Aug.

15; and two home runs in the 7-2 defeat of the Detroit Tigers on Sept.2.The jersey depicts the “NY” logo on the chest and the number “9” on the backside.

A “Maris” swatch is sewn into the collar, “Spalding [size 44]” is tagged on the lower left front tail, and the historic “61” is embroidered into the jersey body.A felt swatch with “Maris 9 36 61” is embroidered in the matching pants.

The uniform – which was previously on display inside the museum at Yankee Stadium – is up for bid through Feb.22. The item consigner’s deceased husband acquired the uniform from a “close friend” of the Maris family in the 1980s, according to Heritage.In 2004, the jersey that Maris wore when he hit his record-break...