The Five Most Expensive Washington Nationals Jerseys Ever Sold
The Washington Nationals are a Major League Baseball franchise that was formed in 1969 as they were originally the Montreal Expos. In 2005, they moved out of Montreal and then moved to Washington D.C. and became the Washington Nationals. As of 2021, the Washington Nationals have won the National League East division a total of 5 times, and they won the National League Pennant and the World Series only once and both came in the same year of 2019. They defeated the Houston Astros in the 2019 World Series and many fans across all of Major League Baseball were very thrilled due to the Astros cheating scandal in 2017. Fun Fact: the Nationals play their home games in Nationals Park, which opened to the public in March 30th, 2008, where the Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-2 in the first ever game played there. The history of the franchise is littered with legendary players such as Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Carter, Jayson Werth, and countless others. Recently we’ve discovered that some Nationals jerseys have been sold for extremely high amounts. Today we will take a look at the five most expensive Nationals jerseys ever sold:
5. 2016 Ryan Zimmerman Game Worn Jersey – $432.00
The original face of the franchise, Ryan Zimmerman is the player that is most associated with the Washington Nationals during the franchises first decade in Washington D.C. Â Zimmerman was their first draft pick in 2005, and was even able reach the majors that same year in September. Zimmerman has been a fan favorite since he reached the majors and he has made the National League All-Star team twice representing the Nationals, he’s won the Gold Glove Award, he’s won the Silver Slugger Award, and has been one of the most consistent hitters in all of Major League Baseball throughout his career. Fun Fact: he is also known to be a team player willing to do anything to help his team win and an example of that was giving up third base to learn how to play first base and left field. His jersey was sold for $432 in October of 2018 in the Heritage Auctions as part of the Fall Sports Memorabilia Catalog Auction, and this particular jersey that was sold was worn by Zimmerman during the teams two postseason games during the 2016 season.
4. Circa 2001 Vladimir Guerrero Game Worn Jersey – $525.80
Vladimir Guerrero could hit almost any pitch that was thrown at him, and that is because he tried to hit everything thrown at him. Guerrero’s ability to hit the outside strike zone made him an ultimate threat at the plate. In 2001, Guerrero was a National League All-Star representing the Montreal Expos, he had a great batting average of .307, he hit a towering 34 home runs, and drove in an immaculate 108 runs that season. In Guerrero’s 8 season that he played with Montreal, he had a career batting average of .323, he hit 224 of 449 career home runs in an Expos Jersey and stole 123 of 181 career stole bases in an Expos Jersey. His game worn jersey was sold for $ 525.80 in May of 2015 in the Heritage Auctions as part of the 2015 Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction.
3. 2014 Memorial Day Jayson Werth Game Worn Cameo Jersey – $770
Jayson Werth has been a fan favorite in Washington since he was signed in free agency away from the Rival Philadelphia Phillies in 2010. One of Werth’s most iconic moments wearing a Washington Nationals Jersey was his big walk-off homer that won them Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the St.Louis Cardinals, but ended up losing the series. On the flip side, that walk-off home run electrified Nationals Park and was one of the best moments in franchise history. Werth finished his career with a .267 batting average, he hit a towering 229 career home runs, and had a total of 799 career RBI’S. His game worn 2014 Memorial Day Cameo Jersey was sold for $770 in June of 2014 as a part of the Washington Nationals Memorial Day Auction that was run through Major League Baseball.
2. 2013 Bryce Harper Game Worn Jersey – $ 3,720
Beginning as a 19 year old who won the Rookie of Year Award in 2012, Bryce Harper was the biggest star in our nation’s capitol for his time playing with the Nationals. Harper, a five-tool phenom just out of high school had all the tools to be one of the games best players and when he step foot in the Major League’s he did not disappoint. In 2013, Harper represented in the Nationals on the National League’s All-Star team, he hit a total of 20 home runs, drove in a total of 58 runs, and had a batting average of .274 in just 118 total games played that season. Fun Fact: Harper was drafted number one overall in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft by the Nationals. His game worn jersey was sold for $3,720 in February of 2020 in the Heritage Auctions as part of the Winter Platinum Night Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction.
1. 1980 Gary Carter Game Worn Jersey – $ 5,280
Gary Carter was not only one of the best catchers of his era, but is arguably one of the 10 best catchers in Major League Baseball history. Carter had a rifle of an arm who excelled at gunning down runners who tried to steal bases, and was a great defensive catcher who excelled at handling difficult pitches that were thrown. In 1980, Carter represented the Expos in the All-Star game, he hit a towering 29 home runs, drove in a total of 101 runs, and had a batting average of .264. In his 12 year career with Montreal, Carter hit 220 of his 324 career home runs wearing an Expos jersey and walked 582 times, even though he didn’t hit for average having a career .262 batting average, Carter was able to get on base a lot and be a productive force at the plate. He even finished his Expos career with a .991 fielding percentage which is absolutely phenomenal. His game worn jersey was sold for $ 5,280 in May of 2019 in the Heritage Auctions as a part of the Spring Sports Memorabilia Catalog Auction.