Description
This Cleveland Indians heavy World Series jacket (Size XL) was worn by Orel Hershiser presumably during cold weather games during the 1995 World Series against the Atlanta Braves. The jacket has the “Purchased from Cleveland Indians” stamp present on the inner lower trim and Hershiser’s #55 is written next to that stamp as well as on the Starter Diamond Collection collar tag. Shows light wear. Some loose threads on the front.
Orel Hershiser signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Indians on April 8, 1995. Indians General Manager John Hart said that the team was looking for a veteran with “character and competitiveness” to show the young players how to play the right way. He went 16-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 26 starts for the Indians in 1995 to lead the young team to their first post-season appearance in 41 years. Hershiser won the two games he pitched in the 1995 American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Seattle Mariners and was selected as the ALCS MVP, the first player to have won the LCS MVP Award in both leagues. He also pitched effectively in the 1995 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, though the Indians would lose the series in six games. He pitched two more seasons for the Indians, and was 14-6 for the 1997 team, including pitching seven shutout innings in Game 3 of the 1997 ALCS. In his final World Series appearance in 1997 he gave up 13 runs in 10 innings and lost 2 games to the Florida Marlins.
Though he pitched for the Indians for only three seasons, Hershiser became something of a folk hero in Cleveland. One memorable image from his tenure is of Hershiser screaming “Take that!” at the Braves dugout after starting a 1-3 double play late in game five of the 1995 World Series.
While these coats are typically attributed to the 1995 season, a few Getty Images I found show Dennis Martinez (and others) wearing these coats during the 1996 season as well. It is likely the coat was available for Hershiser to wear in the fall of 1995 as well as during the 1996 season (and possibly beyond).
