This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/2/2015
Pandemonium. There is no better word to describe the scene on the field at Shea Stadium after Orioles second baseman Davey Johnson's fly ball to left field settled into Cleon Jones' glove to record the out that clinched the first World Championship in New York Mets history. As if a dam had burst, a sea of ecstatic Mets fans flooded the field, turning the vast expanses of grass and clay into a roiling mass of humanity. Smoke bombs ignited just past second base, sending an orange haze over the celebration while souvenir hunters battled over home plate like lions over an antelope carcass. The players raced for the tunnels to escape the stampede, wisely leaving behind anything that might have been lost along the way. Shea Stadium security officer Joseph Mongoi found himself adrift in the jubilant tsunami that afternoon, playing a dual role as celebrating fan and crowd control worker, finding the former task much more possible than the latter. A flash of blue caught his eye as a Mets cap tumbled to the ground, and he quickly snatched it up and stuffed it in his pocket lest an overzealous fan tried to grab hold. It was only later, in the safety of the Stadium corridors, that he examined the cap to find a number "41" written in marker under the visor, attributing the hat to 1969 National League Cy Young winner Tom Seaver. Seaver had been the Game One loser and the Game Four winner, setting up Jerry Koosman to close it out in Game Five. Almost certainly this is the cap Seaver was wearing for each of those World Series appearances, and likely for some period of time before that, perhaps even the entirety of the 1969 regular season. But it was certainly on his head at the greatest moment in franchise history. Solid game wear is clearly apparent, with sweat staining on the interior. The leather headband has become partially detached from the body of the cap, and the cardboard visor is cracked, both internally and externally, but these issues do not distract from the display. "Tim McAuliffe, Pro KM Cap [size] 7 1/2" labeling at interior headband is correct for Seaver. Faded handwriting on the headband reads "1969" and "Tom," though we cannot be sure who made these notations. It has been reported that Mr. Mongoi attempted to return the cap to Seaver but was told to keep it. Upon the passing of Mr. Mongoi and his wife, the cap became the possession of Mr. Mongoi's daughter, whose notarized letter of provenance will be included.