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Bobby Orr rookie jersey goes for 191K in auction

Bobby Orr, Johnny Bucyk

The Boston Bruins’ 1970 Stanley Cup team, including Johnny Bucyk (9), applaud Bobby Orr (4) as he is introduced during a ceremony before an NHL hockey game between the Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

AP

With young defensemen including Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith and Mike Green putting up big offensive numbers at such a young age, it almost seems natural to think of the greatest boy-among-men D guy: Bobby Orr. The Canadian Press reports that the all-time great’s rookie year jersey went for a staggering $191,200 in an auction.

The famed No. 4 jersey -- mostly white with black and gold trim -- was thought to be especially prized by collectors since it shows plenty of wear and tear, including marks left by sticks and repairs of holes in the fabric.

“If ever there was such a thing, then this jersey is indeed the Holy Grail of hockey collectibles,” said Chris Ivy of Heritage Sports Auctions. “It’s as much about the $191,200 final price as it is about Orr’s place as one of the most beloved NHL players in the history of the sport.”

The jersey had belonged to John Rows, 57, of the eastern Ontario city of Kingston.

Rows got the jersey about 40 years ago from his uncle, Garry Young, who was chief scout for the Bruins.

Rows said in an interview earlier this month that he was offered $1,000 for the jersey when he first got it back in the late 1960s but turned it down.

Good idea, Mr. Rows. According to the article, that jersey was one of two of its kind known to be available.

Maybe it’s because I’m not a very sentimental guy, but I find it kind of ridiculous that an piece of clothing could be worth so much to someone. Sure, it would be a cool thing to own, but the sub-culture of collectors can often boggle my mind. To each his own, I guess. Some people just value the aged sweat of others more than I do ...

(H/T to Kukla’s Korner)