I was contacted a couple of months ago, and asked by agents for the Louisville Slugger company to recreate a complete 1976 Braves uniform (jersey and pants) for a full-size mannequin of Hank Aaron that was to stand in their lobby. They had been unable to find an authentic Aaron uniform in this style, and asked me: could I make them one?

I could! I started with a rather rare blank Wilson shell in my treasure closet, and I drew, cut and hand-embroidered the Atlanta script on the front, and the perfect-template #44 on back, in three colors with an embroidered edge. I hand cut and stitched the “feather” for one sleeve and on the other put a perfect reproduction 1976 National League Centennial patch from my collection, From my stash of pants, I found a pair of 1997 Braves road pants that fit, and also matched the jersey in color, and found appropriate red-white-blue striped trim in my stash of take-off scraps to trim the pants properly for 1976.

They were kind enough to send me these photos, which I share with you.

Now here’s my challenge to you…. Why do you think they had such an unusually hard time finding this jersey anywhere in the wild? Before you answer, I implore you to BE NICE, as they are probably reading this at corporate headquarters.

I am very proud of my work, and so honored to be able to help the Louisville Slugger Company— "ten year old me" would never have believed that "60 year old me" got to do this, for that iconic company of my childhood.