JERSEY JAM

The weekend before this one saw some new special-issue uniforms being worn.

First off, the White Sox and Reds dressed up in Majestic knits resembling their 1964 MacGregor flannels at the Civil Rights Game in Cincinnati. Both styles of uniforms were made well, though not totally accurate to the 1964 originals. The powder blue White Sox jerseys had a CHICAGO front at lease an inch taller than the original flannel did. Meanwhile, the Reds vests…well, on the good side, they replicated the originals’ NOB under the number, a first in pro sports at that time. Not so good: those NOBs were in a smaller, wider font than the originals. Still, a good uniform overall with a nice added touch: the Civil Rights Game patch on the back of the neck, where the MLB logo is normally found. I wonder if the MLB website or the individual teams will get the nod o market these? In the past, most Chisox TBTCs were sold at the next Sox Fan Fest.

On Fathers’ Day, the AAA Syracuse Chiefs promoted prostate cancer awareness by wearing white caps with a light blue logo on the front, and a blue ribbon on the back. Check www.syracusechiefs.com for availability of game-worn or other versions.

Finally, for those keeping track, the one game in which Manny Ramirez played for the Albuquerque Isotopes before his return from suspension found him in an Isotopes home white #99 jersey.

MORE JERSEY JAMMIN’

Tag carryovers happen, but rarely this extreme: Eric Atkinson noticed a common player Red Sox road knit up for auction that was tagged for 2000. Provenance was fine, as it came from Kruk Cards, normally not a game-used dealer but an entity that did obtain a sizeable number of Red Sox gamers at last winter’s Fenway Park Garage Sale. This 2000 Bosox piece carried a Russell manufacturers’ tag…the style used in 1992!

Just curious…what will happen to the Lakers Game 2 NBA Finals uniforms? The Game 1 apparel (Lakers gold, Magic blue) as well as the Game 3 outfits (Magic white, Lakers purple) were tagged and recorded by MeiGray were sold through NBA Auctions. Game 2, though, found the Lakers wearing the Sunday home whites for the only time in the 5-game series. Where will these end up? Will MeiGray obtain these, as well? Will the Lakers auction/sell them on the team website? Will Lakers expert and dealer Dan Cisneros acquire them? Someone else? I guess we’ll have to stay tuned.

DID YOU KNOW…, That, while the NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB have made league anniversary patches pretty much and all-for-one concept in terms of uniform display, be it a patch (MLB 125th Anniversary, for example) or a special uniform feature (gold Jerry Wet logo for the NBA’s 50th Anniversary), one defunct league only found a single team wearing its anniversary logo? Yep, the American Football League celebrated 10 years of life in its final year before the NFL-AFL merger. The only team wearing the 10-year AFL patch was the Kansas City Chiefs, and only on their Super Bowl 4 unies, which were the home reds.

The bulletin board on MEARS posted the news of the game-used sale of Red Wings NHL gear this past Saturday in Troy, Michigan. If you couldn’t make it, you may be in luck, as the Red Wings will make any unsold item from the sale available to non-attendees on July 1.
Team contact is Christi Forgacs at christi.forgacs@olyent.com .

HAVING A BALL

Finally, the recently held Midwest League (low A) All-Star Game involved a first. For the game, Rawlings made a limited number (240) of 2009 Midwest League All-Star Game baseballs for the event, held at the home park of the Clinton Lumber Kings. The original plan called for 60 to be put aside for game use and the other 180 to be sold as souvenirs. No word on the team website as to current availability, but try checking again in the near future (www.lumberkings.com) .

QUOTE: “I don’t know a steroid from a reefer.”…Cubs manager Lou Piniella, after being asked about former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa’s failed 2003 drug test.

JERSEY JAM

The weekend before this one saw some new special-issue uniforms being worn.

First off, the White Sox and Reds dressed up in Majestic knits resembling their 1964 MacGregor flannels at the Civil Rights Game in Cincinnati. Both styles of uniforms were made well, though not totally accurate to the 1964 originals. The powder blue White Sox jerseys had a CHICAGO front at lease an inch taller than the original flannel did. Meanwhile, the Reds vests…well, on the good side, they replicated the originals’ NOB under the number, a first in pro sports at that time. Not so good: those NOBs were in a smaller, wider font than the originals. Still, a good uniform overall with a nice added touch: the Civil Rights Game patch on the back of the neck, where the MLB logo is normally found. I wonder if the MLB website or the individual teams will get the nod o market these? In the past, most Chisox TBTCs were sold at the next Sox Fan Fest.

On Fathers’ Day, the AAA Syracuse Chiefs promoted prostate cancer awareness by wearing white caps with a light blue logo on the front, and a blue ribbon on the back. Check www.syracusechiefs.com for availability of game-worn or other versions.

Finally, for those keeping track, the one game in which Manny Ramirez played for the Albuquerque Isotopes before his return from suspension found him in an Isotopes home white #99 jersey.

MORE JERSEY JAMMIN’

Tag carryovers happen, but rarely this extreme: Eric Atkinson noticed a common player Red Sox road knit up for auction that was tagged for 2000. Provenance was fine, as it came from Kruk Cards, normally not a game-used dealer but an entity that did obtain a sizeable number of Red Sox gamers at last winter’s Fenway Park Garage Sale. This 2000 Bosox piece carried a Russell manufacturers’ tag…the style used in 1992!

Just curious…what will happen to the Lakers Game 2 NBA Finals uniforms? The Game 1 apparel (Lakers gold, Magic blue) as well as the Game 3 outfits (Magic white, Lakers purple) were tagged and recorded by MeiGray were sold through NBA Auctions. Game 2, though, found the Lakers wearing the Sunday home whites for the only time in the 5-game series. Where will these end up? Will MeiGray obtain these, as well? Will the Lakers auction/sell them on the team website? Will Lakers expert and dealer Dan Cisneros acquire them? Someone else? I guess we’ll have to stay tuned.

DID YOU KNOW…, That, while the NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB have made league anniversary patches pretty much and all-for-one concept in terms of uniform display, be it a patch (MLB 125th Anniversary, for example) or a special uniform feature (gold Jerry Wet logo for the NBA’s 50th Anniversary), one defunct league only found a single team wearing its anniversary logo? Yep, the American Football League celebrated 10 years of life in its final year before the NFL-AFL merger. The only team wearing the 10-year AFL patch was the Kansas City Chiefs, and only on their Super Bowl 4 unies, which were the home reds.

The bulletin board on MEARS posted the news of the game-used sale of Red Wings NHL gear this past Saturday in Troy, Michigan. If you couldn’t make it, you may be in luck, as the Red Wings will make any unsold item from the sale available to non-attendees on July 1.
Team contact is Christi Forgacs at christi.forgacs@olyent.com .

HAVING A BALL

Finally, the recently held Midwest League (low A) All-Star Game involved a first. For the game, Rawlings made a limited number (240) of 2009 Midwest League All-Star Game baseballs for the event, held at the home park of the Clinton Lumber Kings. The original plan called for 60 to be put aside for game use and the other 180 to be sold as souvenirs. No word on the team website as to current availability, but try checking again in the near future (www.lumberkings.com) .

QUOTE: “I don’t know a steroid from a reefer.”…Cubs manager Lou Piniella, after being asked about former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa’s failed 2003 drug test.

MORE LEGIT JERSEY ODDITIES

Recent viewings on eBay and a trip on Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine have led me to some more unusual jerseys that are, or may, be the real deal after all.

Jose Cardenal was a diminutive fellow who played for roughly 17 years in the Majors. He began the 1971 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was dealt to Milwaukee during the season. Being a little guy, it was amusing to see a ’71 Brewers home flannel of his owned, at the time, by Brewers collector and Miller Park program seller Rich Lulloff. The jersey had Cardenal’s #1 added to the back, but did not have a number change…the jersey was originally a size 38 Bat Boy jersey, which was blank-backed. How often does a batboy shirt end up being used by a Major League veteran?

Speaking of Brewers, a first I saw on eBay recently was a Majestic gamer using a pre-2000 Majestic BP jersey tag. The jersey was an alternate worn by Milwaukee benchwarmer Jason Conti, and had normal and complete 2003 strip tagging in the collar. The oddity was the tail-located 1998-99 Majestic label as found on BP attire. That was the first time I saw a carryover of a BP jersey Majestic label onto a game Majestic jersey.

Finally, I didn’t try to photo match this item, so I can’t verify it as game-worn, but a seeming oddity on the piece was verified with a photo in the eBay listing that at least created a style-match. The jersey was a Reebok 2004 Chargers powder blue Ladanian Tomlinson top. The oddity on this item (although I’ve also seen it on a small number of Reebok issued Throwback styles in 2001-03) was the lack of an NFL neck logo on the LT jersey. The eBay-listed jersey was sans logo, and so was the jersey LT wore in the photo. Like I said, without hands-on inspection and access to the MEARS Database, I can’t positively peg it as a game-used jersey…but the lack of neck logos on both shirt and game photo means that I can’t automatically dismiss it, either…at least until I could perform more research.

NBA FINALS JERSEY BREAKDOWN

The 2009 NBA Finals found the Orlando Magic wearing only their basic home and road uniforms in all 5 games. The Lakers, meanwhile, wore their purple road threads for all three Orlando-based games, but split the styles in Games 1 and 2 at the Staples Center, wearing the standard gold home unies for the first game, and the Sunday home alternate white outfits for the second game.

JERSEY ODDITIES THAT ARE NOT LEGIT

I also saw a pair of jerseys on The Bay that were lacking in authenticity for visible reasons.

For starters, a 1973 Brewers road knit of Jerry Bell was offered, with a slightly errant numeric font on the front, and a very errant font on the team nickname on the front. “BREWERS” was affixed in serif bearing letters, whereas the BREWERS front on both home and road knits of the era are sans-serif. This poorly-done counterfeit may well have been a 1970s/early 1980s creation, put together in an era where certain teams were very tough to find jerseys of in the hobby (and back then, the Brewers were among them), and even a common could be a $200 or more sale when found. Research sources were nothing like they are in 2009, and a rather uneducated hobby market of 30 or so years ago may have accepted this fake, obvious in 2009, as genuine back then.

Another jersey that isn’t what it ought to be seen on eBay recently was a 2001 Rams home jersey of Orlando pace. The jersey had proper collar and tail tagging for a 2001 Reebok jersey, as well as the correct NFL neck logo, but still had one noticeable flaw…the numbers were your basic serifed block numbers, last used by the Rams in 2000. In 2001, the team went to a more stylized numeric font, which this Pace piece should have had, but didn’t.

While we’re at it, another “game used” piece advertised on the Bay was a road Indiana State Larry Bird shirt. The jersey was made by Starter, a company that, as far as I know, didn’t make jerseys for anybody in the late 1970s. A cheesy looking name/year tag accompanied the Starter label, leading me to believe it was a retail item.

OBITUARIES

Dusty Rhodes, a hero for the underdog New York Giants in their 1954 World Series upset of the Cleveland Indians, died June 17 at age 82. Rhodes hit 2 home runs in that 4-game sweep, both off Hall of Famers (Bob Lemon and Early Wynn). He played for the Giants in New York from 1954-57, and for them in San Francisco in 1959.

Jack Littrell, a 1950s infielder, died at age 80 on June 9. Littrell played for the Philadelphia A’s in 1952, the Kansas City A’s in 1954-55, and the Cubs in 1957.

Ray Hamrick, a wartime MLBer, died at age 87, also on June 9. He played at both middle infield positions for the Phillies in 1943-44.

Woodie Held, a shortstop-outfielder who played in the Show in 1954 and from 1957-69, died June 11. he was 77. Held’s entire career in the Majors was in the American league, where he played for 7 of the 10 teams in the circuit before the 1969 expansion. Seven of those seasons were in Cleveland Indians flannels, and he also served as a back-up on the World Champion Orioles in 1966. Held also had stops with the Yankees, Kansas City A’s, (expansion) Senators, Angels and White Sox.

Hal Woodeshick, a southpaw pitcher who played in the Bigs in 1956 and also from 1958-67, died June 14th at age 76. He was on the first rosters of two different expansion teams (1961 Senators and 1962 Colt .45s), and finished his MLB career in grand style, earning a World Series ring with the 1967 World Champion Cardinals.

Finally, Frank Dasso, a pitcher with the 1945-46 Reds, died on June 8. He was 91.

SAM-ME: YOU REALLY DIDN’T SURPRISE ME

MORE LEGIT JERSEY ODDITIES

Recent viewings on eBay and a trip on Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine have led me to some more unusual jerseys that are, or may, be the real deal after all.

Jose Cardenal was a diminutive fellow who played for roughly 17 years in the Majors. He began the 1971 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was dealt to Milwaukee during the season. Being a little guy, it was amusing to see a ’71 Brewers home flannel of his owned, at the time, by Brewers collector and Miller Park program seller Rich Lulloff. The jersey had Cardenal’s #1 added to the back, but did not have a number change…the jersey was originally a size 38 Bat Boy jersey, which was blank-backed. How often does a batboy shirt end up being used by a Major League veteran?

Speaking of Brewers, a first I saw on eBay recently was a Majestic gamer using a pre-2000 Majestic BP jersey tag. The jersey was an alternate worn by Milwaukee benchwarmer Jason Conti, and had normal and complete 2003 strip tagging in the collar. The oddity was the tail-located 1998-99 Majestic label as found on BP attire. That was the first time I saw a carryover of a BP jersey Majestic label onto a game Majestic jersey.

Finally, I didn’t try to photo match this item, so I can’t verify it as game-worn, but a seeming oddity on the piece was verified with a photo in the eBay listing that at least created a style-match. The jersey was a Reebok 2004 Chargers powder blue Ladanian Tomlinson top. The oddity on this item (although I’ve also seen it on a small number of Reebok issued Throwback styles in 2001-03) was the lack of an NFL neck logo on the LT jersey. The eBay-listed jersey was sans logo, and so was the jersey LT wore in the photo. Like I said, without hands-on inspection and access to the MEARS Database, I can’t positively peg it as a game-used jersey…but the lack of neck logos on both shirt and game photo means that I can’t automatically dismiss it, either…at least until I could perform more research.

NBA FINALS JERSEY BREAKDOWN

The 2009 NBA Finals found the Orlando Magic wearing only their basic home and road uniforms in all 5 games. The Lakers, meanwhile, wore their purple road threads for all three Orlando-based games, but split the styles in Games 1 and 2 at the Staples Center, wearing the standard gold home unies for the first game, and the Sunday home alternate white outfits for the second game.

JERSEY ODDITIES THAT ARE NOT LEGIT

I also saw a pair of jerseys on The Bay that were lacking in authenticity for visible reasons.

For starters, a 1973 Brewers road knit of Jerry Bell was offered, with a slightly errant numeric font on the front, and a very errant font on the team nickname on the front. “BREWERS” was affixed in serif bearing letters, whereas the BREWERS front on both home and road knits of the era are sans-serif. This poorly-done counterfeit may well have been a 1970s/early 1980s creation, put together in an era where certain teams were very tough to find jerseys of in the hobby (and back then, the Brewers were among them), and even a common could be a $200 or more sale when found. Research sources were nothing like they are in 2009, and a rather uneducated hobby market of 30 or so years ago may have accepted this fake, obvious in 2009, as genuine back then.

Another jersey that isn’t what it ought to be seen on eBay recently was a 2001 Rams home jersey of Orlando pace. The jersey had proper collar and tail tagging for a 2001 Reebok jersey, as well as the correct NFL neck logo, but still had one noticeable flaw…the numbers were your basic serifed block numbers, last used by the Rams in 2000. In 2001, the team went to a more stylized numeric font, which this Pace piece should have had, but didn’t.

While we’re at it, another “game used” piece advertised on the Bay was a road Indiana State Larry Bird shirt. The jersey was made by Starter, a company that, as far as I know, didn’t make jerseys for anybody in the late 1970s. A cheesy looking name/year tag accompanied the Starter label, leading me to believe it was a retail item.

OBITUARIES

Dusty Rhodes, a hero for the underdog New York Giants in their 1954 World Series upset of the Cleveland Indians, died June 17 at age 82. Rhodes hit 2 home runs in that 4-game sweep, both off Hall of Famers (Bob Lemon and Early Wynn). He played for the Giants in New York from 1954-57, and for them in San Francisco in 1959.

Jack Littrell, a 1950s infielder, died at age 80 on June 9. Littrell played for the Philadelphia A’s in 1952, the Kansas City A’s in 1954-55, and the Cubs in 1957.

Ray Hamrick, a wartime MLBer, died at age 87, also on June 9. He played at both middle infield positions for the Phillies in 1943-44.

Woodie Held, a shortstop-outfielder who played in the Show in 1954 and from 1957-69, died June 11. he was 77. Held’s entire career in the Majors was in the American league, where he played for 7 of the 10 teams in the circuit before the 1969 expansion. Seven of those seasons were in Cleveland Indians flannels, and he also served as a back-up on the World Champion Orioles in 1966. Held also had stops with the Yankees, Kansas City A’s, (expansion) Senators, Angels and White Sox.

Hal Woodeshick, a southpaw pitcher who played in the Bigs in 1956 and also from 1958-67, died June 14th at age 76. He was on the first rosters of two different expansion teams (1961 Senators and 1962 Colt .45s), and finished his MLB career in grand style, earning a World Series ring with the 1967 World Champion Cardinals.

Finally, Frank Dasso, a pitcher with the 1945-46 Reds, died on June 8. He was 91.

SAM-ME: YOU REALLY DIDN’T SURPRISE ME

FOUR PLAYERS, TWO JERSEYS

Recycling jerseys for spring training and even the regular season was far more common in the 1970s and 1980s than today. Two such examples will be detailed here.

The 1971 Dodgers issued #36 to an infielder, Marv Galiher, who never made the Majors, in 1971 or otherwise. After the 1971 season, the Dodgers worked a trade with Baltimore that landed them one Frank Robinson. Robby was not able to wear his standard #20, as Don Sutton had it and wouldn’t part with it. As a result, Robinson wore #36 in 1972, and, with the team still wearing flannels in spring training…yep, Robinson was given Galiher’s unies to wear. Topps card #754 from the 1972 set carries a picture of Frank in Galiher’s #36 1971 flannel.

Turn the clock forward to 1981, and the Mariners saw a field staff change during the season. Manager Maury Wills, #30, was fired in mid-season, and when Rene Lachemann took over, his coaching staff included Vada Pinson, like Wills, a MLB star in the 1960s, and, like Wills, the wearer of at least one of the same 1981 jerseys. I recall a Chicago show a few years ago, in which a Wilson gamer, tagged “30 81” in the tail, bore Pinson’s NOB and his #28 both front and back, one jersey worn by two stars post-career.

ICE AND HOOPS AUCTION ACTION

Both the NHL and NBA websites have some good stuff up for auction at this time. The NBA auction site at www.nba.com has the jerseys worn in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, both Lakers home and Magic road. At last look, Kobe’s yellow #24 shirt was already over $10,000. Bids will be taken until 8PM CST on June 18.

Over at www.nhl.com, the run of alternate blue jerseys with tie front necks worn by the St. Louis Blues are up for bids, with closing time on the 15th at 7PM CST. For both the Blues sweaters and the NBA Finals gamers, MeiGray tagging and database entry are part of the package.

MORE WNBA MADNESS

The Life Lock…er, Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA are being joined by the Los Angeles Sparks in going corporate with their uniforms. The Sparks predominant jersey front logo will not longer be the city or team name, but instead will be the Farmers Insurance Group logo. Ugh!

NICE TRY

Although the seller may well not be the original source of this lacking item, an eBay listing of recent days had what was described as a 2001 Expos home knit of Vladimir Guerrero. The Russell Expos jerseys of the early 2000’s do not carry year tags, and the jersey does have team-issued flag tags underneath the Russell label, but there is still a noticeable problem with this piece. The Russell tag shows the slanted “R” in the Russell name, the current logo for the supplier which first saw tags in 2004. Guerrero last wore an Expos uniform in 2003. Nice-looking, to be sure, but not what it ought to be.

TURN BACK THE CLOCK…100 YEARS

Today (Sunday) the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers will wear retro 1909 uniforms during their interleague game. The Bucs and Tigers were opponents in the 1909 World Series, with Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner big names in the action.

OBITUARIES

Jim Owens, longtime football coach at the University of Washington, died last week at age 82. Owens coached the Huskies from 1957-74, leading them to three Rose Bowl berths. He played in 8 NFL games with the Baltimore Colts in 1950.

Pio Sagapolutele, a 7-year NFL veteran who was a starter in Super Bowl XXXI, died of an aneurysm at age 39. He played from 1991-97, with his first 5 years wearing the original Cleveland Browns uniform, 1996 with New England, and his final season in 1997 was as a Saint.

ZEN MASTER: MAKE IT 10 AND PASS RED!

FOUR PLAYERS, TWO JERSEYS

Recycling jerseys for spring training and even the regular season was far more common in the 1970s and 1980s than today. Two such examples will be detailed here.

The 1971 Dodgers issued #36 to an infielder, Marv Galiher, who never made the Majors, in 1971 or otherwise. After the 1971 season, the Dodgers worked a trade with Baltimore that landed them one Frank Robinson. Robby was not able to wear his standard #20, as Don Sutton had it and wouldn’t part with it. As a result, Robinson wore #36 in 1972, and, with the team still wearing flannels in spring training…yep, Robinson was given Galiher’s unies to wear. Topps card #754 from the 1972 set carries a picture of Frank in Galiher’s #36 1971 flannel.

Turn the clock forward to 1981, and the Mariners saw a field staff change during the season. Manager Maury Wills, #30, was fired in mid-season, and when Rene Lachemann took over, his coaching staff included Vada Pinson, like Wills, a MLB star in the 1960s, and, like Wills, the wearer of at least one of the same 1981 jerseys. I recall a Chicago show a few years ago, in which a Wilson gamer, tagged “30 81” in the tail, bore Pinson’s NOB and his #28 both front and back, one jersey worn by two stars post-career.

ICE AND HOOPS AUCTION ACTION

Both the NHL and NBA websites have some good stuff up for auction at this time. The NBA auction site at www.nba.com has the jerseys worn in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, both Lakers home and Magic road. At last look, Kobe’s yellow #24 shirt was already over $10,000. Bids will be taken until 8PM CST on June 18.

Over at www.nhl.com, the run of alternate blue jerseys with tie front necks worn by the St. Louis Blues are up for bids, with closing time on the 15th at 7PM CST. For both the Blues sweaters and the NBA Finals gamers, MeiGray tagging and database entry are part of the package.

MORE WNBA MADNESS

The Life Lock…er, Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA are being joined by the Los Angeles Sparks in going corporate with their uniforms. The Sparks predominant jersey front logo will not longer be the city or team name, but instead will be the Farmers Insurance Group logo. Ugh!

NICE TRY

Although the seller may well not be the original source of this lacking item, an eBay listing of recent days had what was described as a 2001 Expos home knit of Vladimir Guerrero. The Russell Expos jerseys of the early 2000’s do not carry year tags, and the jersey does have team-issued flag tags underneath the Russell label, but there is still a noticeable problem with this piece. The Russell tag shows the slanted “R” in the Russell name, the current logo for the supplier which first saw tags in 2004. Guerrero last wore an Expos uniform in 2003. Nice-looking, to be sure, but not what it ought to be.

TURN BACK THE CLOCK…100 YEARS

Today (Sunday) the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers will wear retro 1909 uniforms during their interleague game. The Bucs and Tigers were opponents in the 1909 World Series, with Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner big names in the action.

OBITUARIES

Jim Owens, longtime football coach at the University of Washington, died last week at age 82. Owens coached the Huskies from 1957-74, leading them to three Rose Bowl berths. He played in 8 NFL games with the Baltimore Colts in 1950.

Pio Sagapolutele, a 7-year NFL veteran who was a starter in Super Bowl XXXI, died of an aneurysm at age 39. He played from 1991-97, with his first 5 years wearing the original Cleveland Browns uniform, 1996 with New England, and his final season in 1997 was as a Saint.

ZEN MASTER: MAKE IT 10 AND PASS RED!

ANOTHER TAGGING ODDITY

There are actually two groups of set 1 and set 2 1985 Cubs home and road jerseys in circulation. While the jerseys worn by the Wrigleys in 1985 carry the 85 year notation in the collar strip tag and tail box tag, such is also the case for their 1984 NLCS attire. The Cubs were intending to wear their 1984 postseason garb as their standard ’85 duds, but the gut-wrenching loss to the Padres in the NLCS (up 2-0 only to lose the next three and the series) caused the team to discard these sets.

How does one tell and 85 tagged 1985 regular season shirt from an 85 tagged 1984 playoff wearable? The key is the right sleeve of the jersey. The 1984 playoff team wore a large round patch proclaiming themselves as 1984 NL East Champs. The patches were removed, but the round imprint is still there on these postseason threads. No imprint, and you’ve got yourself a 1985 regular season item.

PRE-1987 RAWLINGS LOGO

A recent auction allowed me to learn something about Rawlings advertising logos on MLB game uniforms. While the 1987 contract was the first widespread use of the manufacturer name on the jersey sleeve, there was at least one occasion upon which a Rawlings emblem was worn on an MLB uniform before that. In this case, it was the 1978 Reds Tour of Japan uniforms. While the grey roads during the season were Wilson products, the Reds went to Rawlings for the traveling grays worn in the postseason Japanese exhibition tour. On the pants, a red circle with a white script upper case R is featured on the left rear side of the pants, near the pocket. You learn something new every day!

THEMED UNIFORMS: MLB AND MILB

May 30th saw the White Sox and Royals donning Negro League Turn Back the Clock outfits. The home Royals wore Monarchs unies which were white with dark characters and pinstripes, while the Chisox donned dark blue American Giants togs, with white pinstripes and characters.

In the minors, the last few days have seen a couple of highly unusual themed jerseys. On June 4th, the Midwest League West Michigan Whitecaps, wearers of camouflage shirts earlier in the year, held a Pink Floyd Night. In honor of the rock group, jerseys with a theme based on their Dark Side of the Moon album cover were used.

Not to be outdone in terms of 60s/70s nostalgia, the following evening found the New York-Penn League Binghamton Mets beaming onto the field with Star Trek themed jerseys. The fronts included METS in print and a Starfleet Command logo on the upper left chest. Not sure if it’s logical, but it’s unique.

UNIFORM NEWS, OHL AND WNBA

The NHL website’s auction section (www.nhl.com) is offering sweaters from the February 4th OHL All-Star Classic. Jerseys will be up for bids until June 11, with staggered closing times beginning at 8PM CST. The jerseys are registered in the MeiGray database.

Meanwhile, the WNBA will be featuring a first-of-its-kind uniform for the four major North American professional sports leagues. Following the lead of pro soccer and NASCAR, the league’s Phoenix Mercury will wear uniforms in 2009 with the front side name of prominence not being PHOENIX or MERCURY, but rather LIFE LOCK, the result of a sponsorship deal between the Mercury and the nationally known ID theft prevention company. I really hope this trend is born and dies here, but, then again, I can recall collectors in 1987 (including myself) decrying the appearance of manufacturer insignias on pro uniforms, something that, with the exception of NBA game jerseys (though not warm-ups, shooting shirts nor practice shirts) is the norm in the NBA, NFL, NCAA football, NHL, MLB, and WNBA.

LOOK CLOSELY AT…

1992 Cubs road jerseys (and homes) in a size 46 with no wear and the #21 on the front and/or back. The Cubs original run of unies had the #21 jersey assigned to Alex Arias, who was cut during spring training, and the number was then assumed by Sammy Sosa. A name-changed road jersey would be an Arias that Sosa never saw, as the Cubs sold these jerseys as Arias items during their 1990s convention sales.

OBITUARIES

Randy Smith, an NBA star for several different teams from 1971-83, died of unknown causes this past Thursday. He was 60. Smith’s career was dominated by stints with the Buffalo Braves, who moved to San Diego and became the Clippers. He also spent brief stays with the Cavs, Knicks and Hawks.

CONGRATULATIONS, BIG UNIT, FOR A BIG #300 .

ANOTHER TAGGING ODDITY

There are actually two groups of set 1 and set 2 1985 Cubs home and road jerseys in circulation. While the jerseys worn by the Wrigleys in 1985 carry the 85 year notation in the collar strip tag and tail box tag, such is also the case for their 1984 NLCS attire. The Cubs were intending to wear their 1984 postseason garb as their standard ’85 duds, but the gut-wrenching loss to the Padres in the NLCS (up 2-0 only to lose the next three and the series) caused the team to discard these sets.

How does one tell and 85 tagged 1985 regular season shirt from an 85 tagged 1984 playoff wearable? The key is the right sleeve of the jersey. The 1984 playoff team wore a large round patch proclaiming themselves as 1984 NL East Champs. The patches were removed, but the round imprint is still there on these postseason threads. No imprint, and you’ve got yourself a 1985 regular season item.

PRE-1987 RAWLINGS LOGO

A recent auction allowed me to learn something about Rawlings advertising logos on MLB game uniforms. While the 1987 contract was the first widespread use of the manufacturer name on the jersey sleeve, there was at least one occasion upon which a Rawlings emblem was worn on an MLB uniform before that. In this case, it was the 1978 Reds Tour of Japan uniforms. While the grey roads during the season were Wilson products, the Reds went to Rawlings for the traveling grays worn in the postseason Japanese exhibition tour. On the pants, a red circle with a white script upper case R is featured on the left rear side of the pants, near the pocket. You learn something new every day!

THEMED UNIFORMS: MLB AND MILB

May 30th saw the White Sox and Royals donning Negro League Turn Back the Clock outfits. The home Royals wore Monarchs unies which were white with dark characters and pinstripes, while the Chisox donned dark blue American Giants togs, with white pinstripes and characters.

In the minors, the last few days have seen a couple of highly unusual themed jerseys. On June 4th, the Midwest League West Michigan Whitecaps, wearers of camouflage shirts earlier in the year, held a Pink Floyd Night. In honor of the rock group, jerseys with a theme based on their Dark Side of the Moon album cover were used.

Not to be outdone in terms of 60s/70s nostalgia, the following evening found the New York-Penn League Binghamton Mets beaming onto the field with Star Trek themed jerseys. The fronts included METS in print and a Starfleet Command logo on the upper left chest. Not sure if it’s logical, but it’s unique.

UNIFORM NEWS, OHL AND WNBA

The NHL website’s auction section (www.nhl.com) is offering sweaters from the February 4th OHL All-Star Classic. Jerseys will be up for bids until June 11, with staggered closing times beginning at 8PM CST. The jerseys are registered in the MeiGray database.

Meanwhile, the WNBA will be featuring a first-of-its-kind uniform for the four major North American professional sports leagues. Following the lead of pro soccer and NASCAR, the league’s Phoenix Mercury will wear uniforms in 2009 with the front side name of prominence not being PHOENIX or MERCURY, but rather LIFE LOCK, the result of a sponsorship deal between the Mercury and the nationally known ID theft prevention company. I really hope this trend is born and dies here, but, then again, I can recall collectors in 1987 (including myself) decrying the appearance of manufacturer insignias on pro uniforms, something that, with the exception of NBA game jerseys (though not warm-ups, shooting shirts nor practice shirts) is the norm in the NBA, NFL, NCAA football, NHL, MLB, and WNBA.

LOOK CLOSELY AT…

1992 Cubs road jerseys (and homes) in a size 46 with no wear and the #21 on the front and/or back. The Cubs original run of unies had the #21 jersey assigned to Alex Arias, who was cut during spring training, and the number was then assumed by Sammy Sosa. A name-changed road jersey would be an Arias that Sosa never saw, as the Cubs sold these jerseys as Arias items during their 1990s convention sales.

OBITUARIES

Randy Smith, an NBA star for several different teams from 1971-83, died of unknown causes this past Thursday. He was 60. Smith’s career was dominated by stints with the Buffalo Braves, who moved to San Diego and became the Clippers. He also spent brief stays with the Cavs, Knicks and Hawks.

CONGRATULATIONS, BIG UNIT, FOR A BIG #300 .

TWO MORE GENUINE JERSEY ODDITIES

Cardinals bat and jersey expert Jeff Scott (www.birdbats.com) shared a genuine uniform oddity he has encountered in several photos. The head-scratcher is an apparently recycled pre-1966 Cardinals flannel issued to newcomer Joe Torre for at least the 1969 Grapefruit League season, and possibly the regular season as well. The tipoff: Pre-1966 Cardinals shirts depicted the Birds-On-Bat logo with the left (to the viewer) bird having his tail located behind the bat, while the bird seated on the right has his tail in front of the bat. The two sides were flip-flopped into an opposite arrangement after 1965. Photos of Torre in this at least 4-year-old flannel can be seen on a popular MLB licensed 8×10 color photo of Joe, as well as a team photo used as a yearbook picture. I wouldn’t have expected the Cardinals to go that route to supply a star like Torre, and Jeff was surprised, as well.

My other tale is a case of a legitimate common jersey repeatedly offered by its owners as a minor star’s gamer. The item is a 1971 White Sox flannel with the name “Moloney” chain-stitched onto a collar strip tag. Problem is, several previous owners have been deluded into believing the owner was former Reds ace Jim Maloney. Maloney spent 1971 with the Angels, and never pitched for the White Sox.

As it turns out, the #48 jersey in question was made for, but not worn by, pitcher Dick Moloney, whose MLB career consisted of one appearance for the 1970 Chisox. He had jerseys made for 1971 usage, but was cut, and #48 was re-issued to Rick Reichardt, who may or may not have worn these. I make the use factor a “maybe” based on both Moloney and Reichardt being 6-foot-3, but Reichardt being 30 pounds heavier (215 to Moloney’s 185). Whatever the case, anyone who attributes this jersey to Reds star Jim is just plain wrong.

MLB UNIFORM LOG

The May 24th finale in the Cubs-Padres series at Petco Park found the Pads wearing their annual military tribute jersey with a camouflage motif.

The next day, while the wearing of red caps for Memorial Day has been duly noted multiple times, it was interesting that the umpires also wore red lids.

MILB UNIFORM LOG
Some spottings of what MLB veterans wore while rehabbing on the farm include:

Tigers hurler Jeremy Bonderman, rehabbing with the Midwest League West Michigan Whitecaps, wearing a military camo jersey during a rehab start.

Tom Glavine, back with the Braves, was rehabbing to the tune of 2 starts in Class AAA. He wore a Gwinnett Braves jersey with a “Gwinnett” Tomahawk logo on the front, his standard #47 on the back, with no NOB, and with the jersey being a faux vest (navy blue body, red sleeves).

Oklahoma City had Josh Hamilton rehabbing on a Red Hawks road trip. Hamilton wore a NNOB #19 Rawlings grey road jersey on May 10 and May 11.

NBA UNIFORM AND MEMORABILIA LOG

NBA Auctions on the league website (www.nba.com) has a number of special issue 2008-09 gamers up for bids, with staggered closing times beginning at 8PM CST on April 4. Among the offerings are a run of the yellow Hardwood Classics Cavaliers gamers (including a Lebron James in a size 48+4″); as well as Noche Latina Hispanic night jerseys of the Lakers, Rockets and Spurs (all white jerseys), and orange Suns gamers as well as green Mavs garb).

Plus, for those interested in how the auction of Randy Brown’s three NBA Championship rings (all from the second Bulls Three-Peat), the final price for the trio of rings was (drum roll, please…..) $53,833.00. Not a bad piece of change.

OBITUARIES

David Glenn Lunceford, former OL for Baylor and the Chicago Cardinals, died at age 75 after a long illness.

Terry Barr, a DB/WR for 9 seasons with the Detoit Lions, also succumbed to a lengthy illness. He was 73. He played DB for the 1957 NFL Championship Lions team (their last championship squad) and, after converting to WR, was selected to two Pro Bowl teams (1963-64).

Peter Zezel, an NHL center who spent time with 7 different teams, died of multiple causes at age 44. He played in 873 games during his career.

Lude Check, a center that spent brief stints with the Red Wings (1943-44) and the Blackhawks (1944-45) died May 11, 11 days short of his 91st birthday.

CONGRATULATIONS, BLACKHAWKS…THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!

TWO MORE GENUINE JERSEY ODDITIES

Cardinals bat and jersey expert Jeff Scott (www.birdbats.com) shared a genuine uniform oddity he has encountered in several photos. The head-scratcher is an apparently recycled pre-1966 Cardinals flannel issued to newcomer Joe Torre for at least the 1969 Grapefruit League season, and possibly the regular season as well. The tipoff: Pre-1966 Cardinals shirts depicted the Birds-On-Bat logo with the left (to the viewer) bird having his tail located behind the bat, while the bird seated on the right has his tail in front of the bat. The two sides were flip-flopped into an opposite arrangement after 1965. Photos of Torre in this at least 4-year-old flannel can be seen on a popular MLB licensed 8×10 color photo of Joe, as well as a team photo used as a yearbook picture. I wouldn’t have expected the Cardinals to go that route to supply a star like Torre, and Jeff was surprised, as well.

My other tale is a case of a legitimate common jersey repeatedly offered by its owners as a minor star’s gamer. The item is a 1971 White Sox flannel with the name “Moloney” chain-stitched onto a collar strip tag. Problem is, several previous owners have been deluded into believing the owner was former Reds ace Jim Maloney. Maloney spent 1971 with the Angels, and never pitched for the White Sox.

As it turns out, the #48 jersey in question was made for, but not worn by, pitcher Dick Moloney, whose MLB career consisted of one appearance for the 1970 Chisox. He had jerseys made for 1971 usage, but was cut, and #48 was re-issued to Rick Reichardt, who may or may not have worn these. I make the use factor a “maybe” based on both Moloney and Reichardt being 6-foot-3, but Reichardt being 30 pounds heavier (215 to Moloney’s 185). Whatever the case, anyone who attributes this jersey to Reds star Jim is just plain wrong.

MLB UNIFORM LOG

The May 24th finale in the Cubs-Padres series at Petco Park found the Pads wearing their annual military tribute jersey with a camouflage motif.

The next day, while the wearing of red caps for Memorial Day has been duly noted multiple times, it was interesting that the umpires also wore red lids.

MILB UNIFORM LOG
Some spottings of what MLB veterans wore while rehabbing on the farm include:

Tigers hurler Jeremy Bonderman, rehabbing with the Midwest League West Michigan Whitecaps, wearing a military camo jersey during a rehab start.

Tom Glavine, back with the Braves, was rehabbing to the tune of 2 starts in Class AAA. He wore a Gwinnett Braves jersey with a “Gwinnett” Tomahawk logo on the front, his standard #47 on the back, with no NOB, and with the jersey being a faux vest (navy blue body, red sleeves).

Oklahoma City had Josh Hamilton rehabbing on a Red Hawks road trip. Hamilton wore a NNOB #19 Rawlings grey road jersey on May 10 and May 11.

NBA UNIFORM AND MEMORABILIA LOG

NBA Auctions on the league website (www.nba.com) has a number of special issue 2008-09 gamers up for bids, with staggered closing times beginning at 8PM CST on April 4. Among the offerings are a run of the yellow Hardwood Classics Cavaliers gamers (including a Lebron James in a size 48+4″); as well as Noche Latina Hispanic night jerseys of the Lakers, Rockets and Spurs (all white jerseys), and orange Suns gamers as well as green Mavs garb).

Plus, for those interested in how the auction of Randy Brown’s three NBA Championship rings (all from the second Bulls Three-Peat), the final price for the trio of rings was (drum roll, please…..) $53,833.00. Not a bad piece of change.

OBITUARIES

David Glenn Lunceford, former OL for Baylor and the Chicago Cardinals, died at age 75 after a long illness.

Terry Barr, a DB/WR for 9 seasons with the Detoit Lions, also succumbed to a lengthy illness. He was 73. He played DB for the 1957 NFL Championship Lions team (their last championship squad) and, after converting to WR, was selected to two Pro Bowl teams (1963-64).

Peter Zezel, an NHL center who spent time with 7 different teams, died of multiple causes at age 44. He played in 873 games during his career.

Lude Check, a center that spent brief stints with the Red Wings (1943-44) and the Blackhawks (1944-45) died May 11, 11 days short of his 91st birthday.

CONGRATULATIONS, BLACKHAWKS…THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!

WHAT WERE THE WHITE SOX DOING?

In the 1960s, the Chicago White Sox were owned by a money-challenged owner who cared deeply (Bill Veeck) and money-challenged owners who didn’t care as much (the Allyn Family). What is to follow is a recap of some of the uniform oddities that the team trotted out on the backs of it’s on-field personnel in the ’60’s.

Uniform recycling: The team was notorious for both major and minor league recycling of its 1960s flannels. Finding a pre-1969 Sox jersey, home or road, with original NOB is a major challenge. Also of note is the 1967-68 era, in which many 1967 road powder blues (by MacGregor) were recycled for 1968 with the addition of the Illinois Sesquicentennial patch that both the Sox and Cubs wore that year. One notable such jersey I have seen is the road blue of Ken Boyer, a former NL MVP who was playing out the string by then. He spent part of a season with the Chisox in 1967 after coming from the Mets, and spent an even shorter stint with the Pale Hose in 1968 before going to the Dodgers. The 1968 road flannel Boyer wore was a 1967-issued item.

Extreme Uniform Recycling: Then, there’s the case of longtime AL slugger Rocky Colavito. While the title of a written piece suggested “Don’t Knock the Rock”, that is exactly what the White Sox did upon his arrival in 1967, in terms of providing a jersey for a player of his magnitude.

The Sox grabbed a road flannel (this example I have seen) with a name and number change, and issued it to Rocky. Even more low-ticket was the fact that it was a 1966 flannel, meaning that the team also had to change the front of the jersey, from the arched dark blue CHICAGO to the 1967-68 style Chicago script, with the slash underneath bearing the team name WHITE SOX in white. How many dollars did they save doing this? I don’t know, but it’s insulting to give a major star a regular season jersey this refurbished…at least to me.

Another odd recycling didn’t involve a name/number/front change, but a TAG change! Don Gutteridge served as a coach under manager Al Lopez throughout 1965. The next season found Eddie Stanky taking over for The Senor, and Gutteridge was not returned. In mid-1968, however, with the Sox floundering after nearly winning the 1967 AL pennant, Stanky was shown the door, and Lopez returned, bringing Gutteridge back with him. The Sox broke out a home jersey of Don’s from 1965, and proceeded to change the year tag to reflect the year (1968). The patch for Illinois was added, and voila…you have a jersey Gutteridge wore three years earlier all set to be re-used, with a few adjustments. This tale comes from the 1990s newsletter Diamond Duds.

Overall, the Sox continued the low budget approach for uniforms until the Reinsdorf/Einhorn tandem took over calling the shots in 1981…but even they had a uniform supply problem their first season in charge…that will be saved for next time.

DOWN ON THE FARM

The Salt Lake Bees trotted out pink breast cancer awareness jerseys a week ago. No word as to how these jerseys will be released as of yet.

Also, Carlos Zambrano, rotation ace of the Chicago Cubs, had a rehab start last Monday on the road. Big Z was wearing a grey Daytona front pinstriped jersey, bearing #13, and made by Wilson. That was his only game action in his Advanced Class A rehab.

OBITUARIES

Bill Kelso, a pitcher who spent three seasons with the Angels, died May 11 at age 69. Kelso was a callup during 1964 and 1966, then had his strongest year in 1967, going 5-3 for the Angels in 69 appearances (68 in relief), posting a 2.97 ERA and notching 11 saves. He spent his final big league year (1968) with the Reds.

Clint Smith, a 2-time Lady Byng Trophy winner and Hall of Famer, died this past Thursday at age 95. His NHL career included a stint with the Rangers (1936-43) followed by a stop with the Blackhawks (1943-47). He was the final survivor of the 1940 Stanley Cup Champion Rangers.

QUOTE

From White Sox manager Stanky in 1968, rejecting a clubhouse visit by presidential candidate Hubert H. Humphrey after a galling Sox loss in Minnesota:
“Who cares? He can’t hit!”.

WHAT WERE THE WHITE SOX DOING?

In the 1960s, the Chicago White Sox were owned by a money-challenged owner who cared deeply (Bill Veeck) and money-challenged owners who didn’t care as much (the Allyn Family). What is to follow is a recap of some of the uniform oddities that the team trotted out on the backs of it’s on-field personnel in the ’60’s.

Uniform recycling: The team was notorious for both major and minor league recycling of its 1960s flannels. Finding a pre-1969 Sox jersey, home or road, with original NOB is a major challenge. Also of note is the 1967-68 era, in which many 1967 road powder blues (by MacGregor) were recycled for 1968 with the addition of the Illinois Sesquicentennial patch that both the Sox and Cubs wore that year. One notable such jersey I have seen is the road blue of Ken Boyer, a former NL MVP who was playing out the string by then. He spent part of a season with the Chisox in 1967 after coming from the Mets, and spent an even shorter stint with the Pale Hose in 1968 before going to the Dodgers. The 1968 road flannel Boyer wore was a 1967-issued item.

Extreme Uniform Recycling: Then, there’s the case of longtime AL slugger Rocky Colavito. While the title of a written piece suggested “Don’t Knock the Rock”, that is exactly what the White Sox did upon his arrival in 1967, in terms of providing a jersey for a player of his magnitude.

The Sox grabbed a road flannel (this example I have seen) with a name and number change, and issued it to Rocky. Even more low-ticket was the fact that it was a 1966 flannel, meaning that the team also had to change the front of the jersey, from the arched dark blue CHICAGO to the 1967-68 style Chicago script, with the slash underneath bearing the team name WHITE SOX in white. How many dollars did they save doing this? I don’t know, but it’s insulting to give a major star a regular season jersey this refurbished…at least to me.

Another odd recycling didn’t involve a name/number/front change, but a TAG change! Don Gutteridge served as a coach under manager Al Lopez throughout 1965. The next season found Eddie Stanky taking over for The Senor, and Gutteridge was not returned. In mid-1968, however, with the Sox floundering after nearly winning the 1967 AL pennant, Stanky was shown the door, and Lopez returned, bringing Gutteridge back with him. The Sox broke out a home jersey of Don’s from 1965, and proceeded to change the year tag to reflect the year (1968). The patch for Illinois was added, and voila…you have a jersey Gutteridge wore three years earlier all set to be re-used, with a few adjustments. This tale comes from the 1990s newsletter Diamond Duds.

Overall, the Sox continued the low budget approach for uniforms until the Reinsdorf/Einhorn tandem took over calling the shots in 1981…but even they had a uniform supply problem their first season in charge…that will be saved for next time.

DOWN ON THE FARM

The Salt Lake Bees trotted out pink breast cancer awareness jerseys a week ago. No word as to how these jerseys will be released as of yet.

Also, Carlos Zambrano, rotation ace of the Chicago Cubs, had a rehab start last Monday on the road. Big Z was wearing a grey Daytona front pinstriped jersey, bearing #13, and made by Wilson. That was his only game action in his Advanced Class A rehab.

OBITUARIES

Bill Kelso, a pitcher who spent three seasons with the Angels, died May 11 at age 69. Kelso was a callup during 1964 and 1966, then had his strongest year in 1967, going 5-3 for the Angels in 69 appearances (68 in relief), posting a 2.97 ERA and notching 11 saves. He spent his final big league year (1968) with the Reds.

Clint Smith, a 2-time Lady Byng Trophy winner and Hall of Famer, died this past Thursday at age 95. His NHL career included a stint with the Rangers (1936-43) followed by a stop with the Blackhawks (1943-47). He was the final survivor of the 1940 Stanley Cup Champion Rangers.

QUOTE

From White Sox manager Stanky in 1968, rejecting a clubhouse visit by presidential candidate Hubert H. Humphrey after a galling Sox loss in Minnesota:
“Who cares? He can’t hit!”.

MORE ONE AND DONES

This time out, I’ll start with a pair of one-year jersey styles to discuss, and add a pair of one-year cap designs, also.

1968 Oakland A’s: For a one-year style, a nice quantity of these reside within the hobby, although many are in private collections, not being moved at this time. McAuliffe made all three vest styles, which included the city name in chenille print, on jerseys colored white, golden yellow, and mist green. The jerseys first appeared en masse in the 1980s, when the team released the majority of them to a registered pharmacist/collector who has business ties to most of the Phoenix-area based spring training camps. Among the highlights of what this group contained were Reggie Jackson rookie flannels and the first jerseys worn by Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio (#5) in his two year stint as an Oakland coach.

1987 New York Mets road: In the first year of the Rawlings uniform contract, the Mets, a Rawlings user most of the previous 15 years, wore an attractive grey road jersey with a scripted New York, as opposed to the standard block-letter city name, across the front. The scripted New York was also used on that year’s road blue mesh BP jerseys as well, one of which was recently offered by an honest, but lousy researcher/dealer as a 1994 item. They’re out there, but with many Mets style collectors, bidding is usually spirited, especially on the game versions, when they are offered.

1957 Cubs cap: Wilson was responsible for these, a cap similar to the solid blue design the team has worn since 1958, but with red/white pinstripes going from top to bottom on the crown seams. Originals are extremely rare. For a nice look at one, check out the 1958 Topps card of Ernie Banks, #310.

1976 White Sox road cap: I don’t recall if KM Pro or New Era (or both) made these, but this style, thanks to some managerial griping, only lasted for several weeks in 1976. The caps had the navy brim like the normal home version, but the crowns were white with a navy horizontal SOX on the front. Several 1977 Topps cards have pictures of these short-lived lids. Their swan song came when a game against the Yankees found Yanks skipper Billy Martin protesting to the umpires about the caps and the white sleeves of the undershirts that went with the road uniform. Martin’s gripe was that the plethora of white made it too difficult for his batters to see the pitched baseball. Very quickly, both the hats and the undershirts were yanked, replaced with all navy examples of each.

MONITORING THE MINORS

Some minor league uniform specials worn over the last month or so include the following:

Stockton Ports (California League): 1950’s style TBTC uniforms were worn on April 18.
Fresno Grizzlies (Pacific Coast League): Another medical cause was publicized by the Grizzlies on April 24, when Autism Awareness unies were trotted out.
Altoona Curve (Eastern League): May 3 found the curve sporting throwbacks designed after the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates, back in an era when the city name was spelled PITTSBURG.

NOTES FROM THE SHOW

The Mariners and Athletics decided to pay tribute to the old Pacific Coast League by wearing TBTC attire of the 1939 Seattle Rainiers and Oakland Oaks, from back in the pre-MLB days of both cities.

Also, the publicized Washington NATINALS error jerseys worn for part of one game by a few Nationals players on April 17 found the home white worn by Adam Dunn being auctioned on May 2 at the Nats’ 4th Annual Dream Gala. Final bid on this oddity: $8,000.

STOLEN BLING

Reggie McKenzie, employed by the Green Bay Packers, had a briefcase stolen from his car a couple of weeks ago. The contents of the briefcase included his Super Bowl XXXI ring and a Packers NFC Championship ring. If you are offered these, they are hot…don’t buy ’em, but contact the Packers about it.

OBITUARIES

Former AFL QB and former Republican VP candidate Jack Kemp died from a long illness at age 73. He was a quarterback in the old AFL from 1960-69 with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, and was the man running the offense of the Bills’ two AFL title teams in 1964-65.
IT’S TIME, BLACKHAWKS…DEFEAT THE DEAD WINGS!!

MORE ONE AND DONES

This time out, I’ll start with a pair of one-year jersey styles to discuss, and add a pair of one-year cap designs, also.

1968 Oakland A’s: For a one-year style, a nice quantity of these reside within the hobby, although many are in private collections, not being moved at this time. McAuliffe made all three vest styles, which included the city name in chenille print, on jerseys colored white, golden yellow, and mist green. The jerseys first appeared en masse in the 1980s, when the team released the majority of them to a registered pharmacist/collector who has business ties to most of the Phoenix-area based spring training camps. Among the highlights of what this group contained were Reggie Jackson rookie flannels and the first jerseys worn by Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio (#5) in his two year stint as an Oakland coach.

1987 New York Mets road: In the first year of the Rawlings uniform contract, the Mets, a Rawlings user most of the previous 15 years, wore an attractive grey road jersey with a scripted New York, as opposed to the standard block-letter city name, across the front. The scripted New York was also used on that year’s road blue mesh BP jerseys as well, one of which was recently offered by an honest, but lousy researcher/dealer as a 1994 item. They’re out there, but with many Mets style collectors, bidding is usually spirited, especially on the game versions, when they are offered.

1957 Cubs cap: Wilson was responsible for these, a cap similar to the solid blue design the team has worn since 1958, but with red/white pinstripes going from top to bottom on the crown seams. Originals are extremely rare. For a nice look at one, check out the 1958 Topps card of Ernie Banks, #310.

1976 White Sox road cap: I don’t recall if KM Pro or New Era (or both) made these, but this style, thanks to some managerial griping, only lasted for several weeks in 1976. The caps had the navy brim like the normal home version, but the crowns were white with a navy horizontal SOX on the front. Several 1977 Topps cards have pictures of these short-lived lids. Their swan song came when a game against the Yankees found Yanks skipper Billy Martin protesting to the umpires about the caps and the white sleeves of the undershirts that went with the road uniform. Martin’s gripe was that the plethora of white made it too difficult for his batters to see the pitched baseball. Very quickly, both the hats and the undershirts were yanked, replaced with all navy examples of each.

MONITORING THE MINORS

Some minor league uniform specials worn over the last month or so include the following:

Stockton Ports (California League): 1950’s style TBTC uniforms were worn on April 18.
Fresno Grizzlies (Pacific Coast League): Another medical cause was publicized by the Grizzlies on April 24, when Autism Awareness unies were trotted out.
Altoona Curve (Eastern League): May 3 found the curve sporting throwbacks designed after the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates, back in an era when the city name was spelled PITTSBURG.

NOTES FROM THE SHOW

The Mariners and Athletics decided to pay tribute to the old Pacific Coast League by wearing TBTC attire of the 1939 Seattle Rainiers and Oakland Oaks, from back in the pre-MLB days of both cities.

Also, the publicized Washington NATINALS error jerseys worn for part of one game by a few Nationals players on April 17 found the home white worn by Adam Dunn being auctioned on May 2 at the Nats’ 4th Annual Dream Gala. Final bid on this oddity: $8,000.

STOLEN BLING

Reggie McKenzie, employed by the Green Bay Packers, had a briefcase stolen from his car a couple of weeks ago. The contents of the briefcase included his Super Bowl XXXI ring and a Packers NFC Championship ring. If you are offered these, they are hot…don’t buy ’em, but contact the Packers about it.

OBITUARIES

Former AFL QB and former Republican VP candidate Jack Kemp died from a long illness at age 73. He was a quarterback in the old AFL from 1960-69 with the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, and was the man running the offense of the Bills’ two AFL title teams in 1964-65.
IT’S TIME, BLACKHAWKS…DEFEAT THE DEAD WINGS!!

Dave Miedema informed me late Friday night that his computer was in the shop and he would not be able to provide his weekly Sunday News Extra. I hope you don’t mind me pinch hitting for Dave this week. When trying to decide what to get out, I thought I would use this as something to force me to look some issues or questions I have had for some time. They focus on model numbers for Hillerich & Bradsby Bats.

Bats are dated by any number of characteristics such as various styles and formats of information branded on them. They are also dated to a more narrow range based on combination length, weight and model number. It is this latest aspect that I would like to devote some time to with respect to Hillerich and Bradsby offerings.

Before going any further, think about the purpose and function of a model number from a manufacturer’s perspective:

1. It allows the manufacturer to track the various products into a manageable number of items that may be common to or requested by multiple players. If It’s found that a number of players are using the same model bat, then only one or few of these need to remain on hand in order to support duplication.

2. It facilitates and simplifies production as relates to pulling a bat as an exemplar for turning.

3. It facilities inventory control and the processing of an order, especially in the case when a player may order more than one model at the same time.

From the perspective of the end user:

1. It facilities the ability to cross check what was received vs what was ordered.

2. It facilitates product identification when selecting a bat for use.

3. It facilitates either product reordering, or requests for new bats in the form of requesting a new model made from say an S2 knob, K55 handle and an R43 barrel.

The question I have and am looking at is when did model numbers begin to appear on the knobs of Hilerich and Bradsby bats? Since we don’t have year specific offerings in the way of All Star or World Series bats to reference from the early to mid 1940s, it might be insightful to look at when this information begins to appear as a reference in player production information. This should be seen within the context of the purpose a model number as previously detailed. The currently accepted date for this has only been identified as the mid 1940s, but what is this based on and are there early references?

Since model numbers are a focal point of study and discussion as they relate to player order sheets and production information, I decided to see when the earliest references to model numbers could be found.

Model Number Recorded for the First Time In a Players Order Sheet:

Luke Appling: Model #A31 on 6/3/41

Ben Chapman: Model #C10 on 6/17/39

Joe Cronin: Model # C118 on 6/2/41 and “his model sent in” C118- 6/14/41

Ki Ki Cuyler: Model # C115 on 6/5/41

Bobby Doerr: Model # D2 on 2/24/40

Chuck Dresser: Model # D51 on 2/29/39

Lew Fonseca: Model #F16 on 4/30/41

Lonny Frey: Model #F36-2/26/41 and “his 1/10/40” small model F78-4/11/42

Lou Gehrig: Model G69 “5/13/31 with Ruth Knob” on 4/25/39

Hank Greenberg: “Same as last year, his 5/15/39” Model # G62 on 3/28/1941

Lefty Grove: “Joe Cronin on end. C-1 model sent in”. Model # C1 on 7/24/40

Chick Hafey: “His 4/25/28 H4”. Model H4 on 4/4/42

Chuck Klein: “New Model made K55”. Model K55 on 4/30/35.

Hal Trosky: “New Model Made T14” Model T14 on 4/30/40.

While some of these entries may have had the model numbers written in a later date, this does not appear to the case in all instances. I think a valid observation would be that at some level, Hillerch and Bradsby began an alpha-numeric identification of their products in the late 1930s to early 1940s. While the records I looked at don’t seem to indicate this in a consistent manner until the mid 1940s, it does offer for question could model numbers have appeared on bats as early as say 1941 since this convention was established and being utilized on some level. Think about answering this question for yourself against the backdrop of what I articulated about the purpose and functions of a model number. Also if you have always just accepted the position that model numbers did not begin to appear on Hillerich & Bradsby bats until the mid 1940s, ask yourself what have you based this on? I would welcome thoughts and discussion on this topic.

The other thing I have often wondered about the Hillerich & Bradsby alpha-numeric identification of their products and the source of those, is how many duplicate models it may have resulted in as having been produced over the years. Consider this example involving these four fictional players.

Joe Bat

Ed Glove

Sam Cap

Mike Mitt

Veteran Joe bat uses the model B1.

Rookie Ed Glove uses the model G1, but likes the handle on the B1. He requests that a new bat be made for him using the G1 only with a B1 handle. This bat now becomes the G2.

For the sake of discussion, 5 years transpire since the G2 was made.

Sam Cap is a teammate of Ed Glove and he really likes G2. Mike Mitt is also a team mate and he uses the B1. Sam swings both bats and likes something about both of them. He wishes the G2 had a handle like B1. He then sends in a request for a G2 with a B1 handle. A new bat is made for him and becomes the C1.

But what is the C1? It is the same bat as the B1.

This has no general hobby impact, but as I was thinking about model numbers in general, this crossed my mind.

As always, collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you collect.

Dave Grob

For questions or comments on this article, please feel to drop me a line at DaveGrob1@aol.com.

Dave Miedema informed me late Friday night that his computer was in the shop and he would not be able to provide his weekly Sunday News Extra. I hope you don’t mind me pinch hitting for Dave this week. When trying to decide what to get out, I thought I would use this as something to force me to look some issues or questions I have had for some time. They focus on model numbers for Hillerich & Bradsby Bats.

Bats are dated by any number of characteristics such as various styles and formats of information branded on them. They are also dated to a more narrow range based on combination length, weight and model number. It is this latest aspect that I would like to devote some time to with respect to Hillerich and Bradsby offerings.

Before going any further, think about the purpose and function of a model number from a manufacturer’s perspective:

1. It allows the manufacturer to track the various products into a manageable number of items that may be common to or requested by multiple players. If It’s found that a number of players are using the same model bat, then only one or few of these need to remain on hand in order to support duplication.

2. It facilitates and simplifies production as relates to pulling a bat as an exemplar for turning.

3. It facilities inventory control and the processing of an order, especially in the case when a player may order more than one model at the same time.

From the perspective of the end user:

1. It facilities the ability to cross check what was received vs what was ordered.

2. It facilitates product identification when selecting a bat for use.

3. It facilitates either product reordering, or requests for new bats in the form of requesting a new model made from say an S2 knob, K55 handle and an R43 barrel.

The question I have and am looking at is when did model numbers begin to appear on the knobs of Hilerich and Bradsby bats? Since we don’t have year specific offerings in the way of All Star or World Series bats to reference from the early to mid 1940s, it might be insightful to look at when this information begins to appear as a reference in player production information. This should be seen within the context of the purpose a model number as previously detailed. The currently accepted date for this has only been identified as the mid 1940s, but what is this based on and are there early references?

Since model numbers are a focal point of study and discussion as they relate to player order sheets and production information, I decided to see when the earliest references to model numbers could be found.

Model Number Recorded for the First Time In a Players Order Sheet:

Luke Appling: Model #A31 on 6/3/41

Ben Chapman: Model #C10 on 6/17/39

Joe Cronin: Model # C118 on 6/2/41 and “his model sent in” C118- 6/14/41

Ki Ki Cuyler: Model # C115 on 6/5/41

Bobby Doerr: Model # D2 on 2/24/40

Chuck Dresser: Model # D51 on 2/29/39

Lew Fonseca: Model #F16 on 4/30/41

Lonny Frey: Model #F36-2/26/41 and “his 1/10/40” small model F78-4/11/42

Lou Gehrig: Model G69 “5/13/31 with Ruth Knob” on 4/25/39

Hank Greenberg: “Same as last year, his 5/15/39” Model # G62 on 3/28/1941

Lefty Grove: “Joe Cronin on end. C-1 model sent in”. Model # C1 on 7/24/40

Chick Hafey: “His 4/25/28 H4”. Model H4 on 4/4/42

Chuck Klein: “New Model made K55”. Model K55 on 4/30/35.

Hal Trosky: “New Model Made T14” Model T14 on 4/30/40.

While some of these entries may have had the model numbers written in a later date, this does not appear to the case in all instances. I think a valid observation would be that at some level, Hillerch and Bradsby began an alpha-numeric identification of their products in the late 1930s to early 1940s. While the records I looked at don’t seem to indicate this in a consistent manner until the mid 1940s, it does offer for question could model numbers have appeared on bats as early as say 1941 since this convention was established and being utilized on some level. Think about answering this question for yourself against the backdrop of what I articulated about the purpose and functions of a model number. Also if you have always just accepted the position that model numbers did not begin to appear on Hillerich & Bradsby bats until the mid 1940s, ask yourself what have you based this on? I would welcome thoughts and discussion on this topic.

The other thing I have often wondered about the Hillerich & Bradsby alpha-numeric identification of their products and the source of those, is how many duplicate models it may have resulted in as having been produced over the years. Consider this example involving these four fictional players.

Joe Bat

Ed Glove

Sam Cap

Mike Mitt

Veteran Joe bat uses the model B1.

Rookie Ed Glove uses the model G1, but likes the handle on the B1. He requests that a new bat be made for him using the G1 only with a B1 handle. This bat now becomes the G2.

For the sake of discussion, 5 years transpire since the G2 was made.

Sam Cap is a teammate of Ed Glove and he really likes G2. Mike Mitt is also a team mate and he uses the B1. Sam swings both bats and likes something about both of them. He wishes the G2 had a handle like B1. He then sends in a request for a G2 with a B1 handle. A new bat is made for him and becomes the C1.

But what is the C1? It is the same bat as the B1.

This has no general hobby impact, but as I was thinking about model numbers in general, this crossed my mind.

As always, collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you collect.

Dave Grob

For questions or comments on this article, please feel to drop me a line at DaveGrob1@aol.com.

ON A FIRST NAME BASIS

While names on backs (NOBs) have, since their 1960 inception, primarily employed player last names, the occasional first name, nickname, or other ID has popped up over the years. The Shirt examines many of them now.

FIRST NAMES: Vida Blue, whose career took of in 1971 with Oakland, decided a couple of years later to go with VIDA instead of BLUE on his jerseys. The practice continued during his later stints with the Giants and Royals.

Also, his Oakland teammate, Billy Conigliaro, wore 1973 jerseys identifying him as BILLY C., a photo of which can be found on his 1974 Topps card.

NICKNAME: The Cleveland Indians had Ken “Hawk” Harrelson in their employ from a few weeks into the 1969 season through 1971. The ’69 season was the final year that the Tribe wore vest flannels, and Harrelson employed a NOB of HAWK on his.

HOMETOWN: The pride and joy of Wampum, Pennsylvania, Dick Allen, played for the A’s in 1977, and, in addition to wearing the unorthodox number 60, placed WAMPUM on the back of his McAuliffe gamers.

TEAM TRENDS: The 1963 A’s ordered a set of odd vests that were forerunners of the 1970s doubleknits from Wilson, and put player first names and nicknames on the backs of these gold gamers. Pitcher Bill Fischer, for example, was FISH, and infielder Sammy Esposito was SAMMY. This genre also produced one of the most misrepresented baseball jerseys the hobby has ever seen. Pitcher Ed Rakow wore #21 in 1963, with his NOB being ROCK. This jersey has been offered numerous times, however, as a Rocky Colavito gamer, despite the fact that Colavito played for Kansas City in 1964, not ’63, and the fact that he wore #7 (see 1964 Auravision record photo) with the A’s, not #21.

Also in this genre were the briefly used 1976 Atlanta Braves home NOB jerseys. The red pinstriped home pullovers, made by Wilson, carried first names (MAX for pitcher Maximino Leon) and nicknames (CANNON for outfielder Jim Wynn). The jerseys were banned, however, by humorless Commissioner Bowie Kuhn after Ted Turner, the Braves’ owner, decided to push the envelope a bit too much. Acquiring pitcher Andy Messersmith from the Dodgers a few weeks into the season, Turner added the NOB of CHANNEL to Messersmith’s #17 jersey…a subtle advertisement for one of his TV stations. Kuhn put the hammer down, and the jerseys were pulled and/or stripped of their NOBs.

MORE PATCHES

With a tip of the New Era cap to Murf Denny, we have news of memoriam patches being worn in 2009 by Cleveland and Toronto. The Indians have a patch for Herb Score, bearing his old uniform number (27) with a microphone representing his broadcasting career separating the two digits. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have a TED patch for their late owner, Ted Rogers.

EYEFULS FROM EBAY

Three jerseys recently offered a look at items that were misidentified as to player, team, and overall authenticity.

Very shortly after the death of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, a Tigers home knit of the late pitcher was up for bids on the ‘Bay. It did draw at least one bid, despite the fact that (a) it was the wrong supplier (jersey was Rawlings, Tigers homes in that era were made by Wilson), (b) no tagging existed of the type used by either of the above companies, and (c) the number font was totally off for the back numerals. Someone thinks they won the Bird, but instead got a phony for the birds.

Not only are minor league-issued Orioles jerseys being offered in some quarters as MLB Orioles BP jerseys, but the same misrepresentation is now being seen increasingly with minor league Padres tops. The jerseys have no NOBs, a feature used on Major League Pads pregame shirts since the mid-1980s. On top of that, the navy blue (post-1989) jerseys, in addition to being bereft of NOB, also have been made by Rawlings, last seen as a Padres source in 1991. The improperly attributed attire dates to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Padres BP duds were supplied by Russell and Majestic, not Rawlings.

Finally, a longtime excellent dealer of cards who is unfortunately out of his element in the jersey market acquired a load of Red Sox game and BP jerseys from the Fenway Park sale earlier this year. With home jerseys not bearing NOBs nor any name tagging, the seller recently placed a #12 2002 Red Sox home gamer up for bids. The seller evidently consulted a regular season roster, which shows Cliff Floyd as #12. Problem is, the jersey is a size 44. Floyd is 6-4 and 230 pounds…he wouldn’t have fit into that jersey after Junior High! A look at the team’s 2001 roster shows #12 as Chris Stynes, 5-9 and 170, and the proper size for a size 44 of today. Floyd has been in jerseys as large as a size 56 over the last few seasons. My belief is that the jersey was made for Stynes, but not worn by him, as his 2002 season was spent with the Cubs.

OBITUARIES

Ed Blake, a pitcher with short stints with Cincinnati (1951-53) and Kansas City (1957) died April 15. He was 83. Blake’s biggest MLB memory came before his pro career, as, having just graduated from high school, he was tapped to throw BP for the 1943 Cardinals during the World Series.

Gene Handley, a member of the 1946-47 Philadelphia A’s, died at age 94 on April 12.

Glen Gondrezick, and NBA [layer of the Dr. J era, died from complications from a heart transplant April 27, Age 53 at time of death, he played for the Knicks and Nuggets from 1977-83, and preceded his NBA career with a roster spot on the 1977 UNLV Final Four team.

Finally, Jack “Lucky” Lohrke, nicknamed as such due to several occasions of cheating serious injury and/or death before he made the Show, died April 29 at age 85. His MLB career was with the Giants and Phillies from 1947-53. Before that, however, he had narrow escapes from tragedy in World War 2, surviving while fellow soldiers close to him were killed; and also in 1946, when a phone call at a lunch stop telling him to report to San Diego took him off the ill-fated bus carrying the Spokane team which would later crash, claiming 9 victims.

BULLS-CELTICS…THE NBA DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!

ON A FIRST NAME BASIS

While names on backs (NOBs) have, since their 1960 inception, primarily employed player last names, the occasional first name, nickname, or other ID has popped up over the years. The Shirt examines many of them now.

FIRST NAMES: Vida Blue, whose career took of in 1971 with Oakland, decided a couple of years later to go with VIDA instead of BLUE on his jerseys. The practice continued during his later stints with the Giants and Royals.

Also, his Oakland teammate, Billy Conigliaro, wore 1973 jerseys identifying him as BILLY C., a photo of which can be found on his 1974 Topps card.

NICKNAME: The Cleveland Indians had Ken “Hawk” Harrelson in their employ from a few weeks into the 1969 season through 1971. The ’69 season was the final year that the Tribe wore vest flannels, and Harrelson employed a NOB of HAWK on his.

HOMETOWN: The pride and joy of Wampum, Pennsylvania, Dick Allen, played for the A’s in 1977, and, in addition to wearing the unorthodox number 60, placed WAMPUM on the back of his McAuliffe gamers.

TEAM TRENDS: The 1963 A’s ordered a set of odd vests that were forerunners of the 1970s doubleknits from Wilson, and put player first names and nicknames on the backs of these gold gamers. Pitcher Bill Fischer, for example, was FISH, and infielder Sammy Esposito was SAMMY. This genre also produced one of the most misrepresented baseball jerseys the hobby has ever seen. Pitcher Ed Rakow wore #21 in 1963, with his NOB being ROCK. This jersey has been offered numerous times, however, as a Rocky Colavito gamer, despite the fact that Colavito played for Kansas City in 1964, not ’63, and the fact that he wore #7 (see 1964 Auravision record photo) with the A’s, not #21.

Also in this genre were the briefly used 1976 Atlanta Braves home NOB jerseys. The red pinstriped home pullovers, made by Wilson, carried first names (MAX for pitcher Maximino Leon) and nicknames (CANNON for outfielder Jim Wynn). The jerseys were banned, however, by humorless Commissioner Bowie Kuhn after Ted Turner, the Braves’ owner, decided to push the envelope a bit too much. Acquiring pitcher Andy Messersmith from the Dodgers a few weeks into the season, Turner added the NOB of CHANNEL to Messersmith’s #17 jersey…a subtle advertisement for one of his TV stations. Kuhn put the hammer down, and the jerseys were pulled and/or stripped of their NOBs.

MORE PATCHES

With a tip of the New Era cap to Murf Denny, we have news of memoriam patches being worn in 2009 by Cleveland and Toronto. The Indians have a patch for Herb Score, bearing his old uniform number (27) with a microphone representing his broadcasting career separating the two digits. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have a TED patch for their late owner, Ted Rogers.

EYEFULS FROM EBAY

Three jerseys recently offered a look at items that were misidentified as to player, team, and overall authenticity.

Very shortly after the death of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, a Tigers home knit of the late pitcher was up for bids on the ‘Bay. It did draw at least one bid, despite the fact that (a) it was the wrong supplier (jersey was Rawlings, Tigers homes in that era were made by Wilson), (b) no tagging existed of the type used by either of the above companies, and (c) the number font was totally off for the back numerals. Someone thinks they won the Bird, but instead got a phony for the birds.

Not only are minor league-issued Orioles jerseys being offered in some quarters as MLB Orioles BP jerseys, but the same misrepresentation is now being seen increasingly with minor league Padres tops. The jerseys have no NOBs, a feature used on Major League Pads pregame shirts since the mid-1980s. On top of that, the navy blue (post-1989) jerseys, in addition to being bereft of NOB, also have been made by Rawlings, last seen as a Padres source in 1991. The improperly attributed attire dates to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Padres BP duds were supplied by Russell and Majestic, not Rawlings.

Finally, a longtime excellent dealer of cards who is unfortunately out of his element in the jersey market acquired a load of Red Sox game and BP jerseys from the Fenway Park sale earlier this year. With home jerseys not bearing NOBs nor any name tagging, the seller recently placed a #12 2002 Red Sox home gamer up for bids. The seller evidently consulted a regular season roster, which shows Cliff Floyd as #12. Problem is, the jersey is a size 44. Floyd is 6-4 and 230 pounds…he wouldn’t have fit into that jersey after Junior High! A look at the team’s 2001 roster shows #12 as Chris Stynes, 5-9 and 170, and the proper size for a size 44 of today. Floyd has been in jerseys as large as a size 56 over the last few seasons. My belief is that the jersey was made for Stynes, but not worn by him, as his 2002 season was spent with the Cubs.

OBITUARIES

Ed Blake, a pitcher with short stints with Cincinnati (1951-53) and Kansas City (1957) died April 15. He was 83. Blake’s biggest MLB memory came before his pro career, as, having just graduated from high school, he was tapped to throw BP for the 1943 Cardinals during the World Series.

Gene Handley, a member of the 1946-47 Philadelphia A’s, died at age 94 on April 12.

Glen Gondrezick, and NBA [layer of the Dr. J era, died from complications from a heart transplant April 27, Age 53 at time of death, he played for the Knicks and Nuggets from 1977-83, and preceded his NBA career with a roster spot on the 1977 UNLV Final Four team.

Finally, Jack “Lucky” Lohrke, nicknamed as such due to several occasions of cheating serious injury and/or death before he made the Show, died April 29 at age 85. His MLB career was with the Giants and Phillies from 1947-53. Before that, however, he had narrow escapes from tragedy in World War 2, surviving while fellow soldiers close to him were killed; and also in 1946, when a phone call at a lunch stop telling him to report to San Diego took him off the ill-fated bus carrying the Spokane team which would later crash, claiming 9 victims.

BULLS-CELTICS…THE NBA DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!

MAJESTIC/RAWLINGS SLEEVE LOGOS

The sleeve logos used by these two past and present MLB suppliers have changed since they first hooked up with MLB contracts, and the next few paragraphs will detail what was worn when.

MAJESTIC: The current exclusive MLB uniforms supplier, Majestic first was a partial MLB official supplier in 1990, getting a license to create BP jerseys.

From that year through 1993, the sleeve logo was merely the company name in dual case print. Beginning in 1994, and running through 1999, the company name was combined with a multicolored mountain peaks logo, usually related to the colors of the team the jersey was made for. While a few of these were carried over into 2000, the bulk of Majestic
BP jerseys, as well as game jerseys, carried a mountain peaks logo with no supplier name. One notable exception involved some Majestic 2000 game jerseys. Majestic was introduced to the game jersey fold that year, supplying seven ballclubs. Four of them, the Brewers, Blue Jays and both Chicago teams, had their unies subcontracted to Wilson, resulting in, among other things, a sewn-on Majestic sleeve patch (Majestic themselves embroiders their logos directly into the fabric). Subsequent years’ apparel, as well as the 2000 White Sox Playoff Jerseys, were done in-house.

RAWLINGS:

Rawlings was the first contracted supplier of MLB uniforms, getting the deal from 1987-91, and again as one of three official suppliers from 2000-2002. The company name was used in script form for their first stint as MLB uniform source, and, during the second run, an oval with a scripted capital R was employed.

The changeover from the former to the latter Rawlings insignia was done in 1998, as evident from minor league jerseys of the era. Unlike the Majors, minor league teams have a choice of any supplier, and, with no contract in play with the minors, any supplier can use a sleeve logo. A few Buffalo Bisons gamers from 2007-08 even show a newer logo incorporating both previously-used elements. How many other instances of this dual logo that are out there is something I can’t answer at this time.

MLB POTPOURRI

One recent uniform item of note: April 22 was the 94th anniversary of the introduction of the classic Yankees uniform pinstripes, a uniform design still employed by the Yanks to this day on their home attire.

Two uniform items no longer being used in 2009: the Mets have dropped their road alternate NEW YORK front black jersey. The former home “Mets” black jersey now is the norm both at and away from Citi Field.

Also noteworthy, the Cubs have done away with their road game caps, a style with the same blue crown and logo as the home all-blue cap, but with a red brim. The road style was first used in 1994. The all-blue lid is now both home and road standard.

May 16th is the date of the White Sox game-used garage sale at U.S. Cellular Field. Held in conjunction with other events at the ballpark while the Pale Hose are on the road, the sale will run from 9AM-2PM.

New MLB memoriam patches of note: The “34” memoriam patch for Nick Adenhart, wore on the chest of Angels attire, along with the diamond-shaped PRESTON patch on the right sleeve remembering Preston Gomez. Second, the HK patch eulogizing Hall of Fame announcer Harry Kalas, worn on the left chest of Phillies unies. And, last but not least, the Carl patch the Twins have employed for deceased owner Carl Pohlad. This patch is worn on the right sleeve of Twins shirts, underneath the Metrodome Final Season patch.

OBITUARIES

Mark Fidrych, the phenomenon known as The Bird to 1976 era baseball fans, was found dead on his farm April 13th as the result of a farm accident. Fidrych was 1976 American league Rookie of the Year with a 19-9 record, but an arm injury the next season was the beginning of the end of his career.

Harry Kalas, Phillies announcer since 1971, NFL Films voice and Baseball Hall of Famer, was found unresponsive in the announcers’ booth before the April 13 Phils-Nats game. He was declared dead at the hospital, the result of a heart ailment.

Merle Harmon, the first voice of the Milwaukee Brewers (1970-79) and owner of the successful chain of Merle Harmon’s Fan Fair souvenir stores, died April 15 after a prolonged illness. He was 82.

Doc Blanchard,died of pneumonia April 19th. The 84-year old Blanchard spent his days at Army playing Mr. Inside, while he and teammate Glenn Davis (Mr. Outside) led Army to two consecutive NCAA National Championships in 1944-45.

SHEPP-DOG>>>WELCOME TO THE 500 HR CLUB!

MAJESTIC/RAWLINGS SLEEVE LOGOS

The sleeve logos used by these two past and present MLB suppliers have changed since they first hooked up with MLB contracts, and the next few paragraphs will detail what was worn when.

MAJESTIC: The current exclusive MLB uniforms supplier, Majestic first was a partial MLB official supplier in 1990, getting a license to create BP jerseys.

From that year through 1993, the sleeve logo was merely the company name in dual case print. Beginning in 1994, and running through 1999, the company name was combined with a multicolored mountain peaks logo, usually related to the colors of the team the jersey was made for. While a few of these were carried over into 2000, the bulk of Majestic
BP jerseys, as well as game jerseys, carried a mountain peaks logo with no supplier name. One notable exception involved some Majestic 2000 game jerseys. Majestic was introduced to the game jersey fold that year, supplying seven ballclubs. Four of them, the Brewers, Blue Jays and both Chicago teams, had their unies subcontracted to Wilson, resulting in, among other things, a sewn-on Majestic sleeve patch (Majestic themselves embroiders their logos directly into the fabric). Subsequent years’ apparel, as well as the 2000 White Sox Playoff Jerseys, were done in-house.

RAWLINGS:

Rawlings was the first contracted supplier of MLB uniforms, getting the deal from 1987-91, and again as one of three official suppliers from 2000-2002. The company name was used in script form for their first stint as MLB uniform source, and, during the second run, an oval with a scripted capital R was employed.

The changeover from the former to the latter Rawlings insignia was done in 1998, as evident from minor league jerseys of the era. Unlike the Majors, minor league teams have a choice of any supplier, and, with no contract in play with the minors, any supplier can use a sleeve logo. A few Buffalo Bisons gamers from 2007-08 even show a newer logo incorporating both previously-used elements. How many other instances of this dual logo that are out there is something I can’t answer at this time.

MLB POTPOURRI

One recent uniform item of note: April 22 was the 94th anniversary of the introduction of the classic Yankees uniform pinstripes, a uniform design still employed by the Yanks to this day on their home attire.

Two uniform items no longer being used in 2009: the Mets have dropped their road alternate NEW YORK front black jersey. The former home “Mets” black jersey now is the norm both at and away from Citi Field.

Also noteworthy, the Cubs have done away with their road game caps, a style with the same blue crown and logo as the home all-blue cap, but with a red brim. The road style was first used in 1994. The all-blue lid is now both home and road standard.

May 16th is the date of the White Sox game-used garage sale at U.S. Cellular Field. Held in conjunction with other events at the ballpark while the Pale Hose are on the road, the sale will run from 9AM-2PM.

New MLB memoriam patches of note: The “34” memoriam patch for Nick Adenhart, wore on the chest of Angels attire, along with the diamond-shaped PRESTON patch on the right sleeve remembering Preston Gomez. Second, the HK patch eulogizing Hall of Fame announcer Harry Kalas, worn on the left chest of Phillies unies. And, last but not least, the Carl patch the Twins have employed for deceased owner Carl Pohlad. This patch is worn on the right sleeve of Twins shirts, underneath the Metrodome Final Season patch.

OBITUARIES

Mark Fidrych, the phenomenon known as The Bird to 1976 era baseball fans, was found dead on his farm April 13th as the result of a farm accident. Fidrych was 1976 American league Rookie of the Year with a 19-9 record, but an arm injury the next season was the beginning of the end of his career.

Harry Kalas, Phillies announcer since 1971, NFL Films voice and Baseball Hall of Famer, was found unresponsive in the announcers’ booth before the April 13 Phils-Nats game. He was declared dead at the hospital, the result of a heart ailment.

Merle Harmon, the first voice of the Milwaukee Brewers (1970-79) and owner of the successful chain of Merle Harmon’s Fan Fair souvenir stores, died April 15 after a prolonged illness. He was 82.

Doc Blanchard,died of pneumonia April 19th. The 84-year old Blanchard spent his days at Army playing Mr. Inside, while he and teammate Glenn Davis (Mr. Outside) led Army to two consecutive NCAA National Championships in 1944-45.

SHEPP-DOG>>>WELCOME TO THE 500 HR CLUB!

TAGLESS THREADS

Collectors are usually more comfortable with baseball gamers that have tags included. For the purposes of this discussion as well as the previous statement, we’re not discussing manufacturer or size tags. No, collectors usually like to see notations such as the year of usage, maybe the set number, a name or numeric player ID, and, on rare occasions, an inventory number. Most teams carry at least one of these items in their current game attire, although a handful…Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Houston, for example…have been largely tagless since 2000.

A few tagless teams is not a recent occurrence. Even in the 1970s, there were a few styles of the then-newfangled doubleknits that didn’t feature the numbers and names hobbyists like to see. The Shirt will feature a nearly complete list of 1970s knits that bore only a supplier label, generally with the size included in the design.

Baltimore: The Orioles were very tag-friendly on their Wilson, Rawlings, and Spalding knit gamers, but the one style from 1971-79 not made by those three…the 1971 orange pullover alternates…were tagless. The style was made by Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods, and the HoFer’s company tagged pretty much nothing it made…that included O’s Old-Timers Game garb in the later ’70’s, as well as the prototype for the ABA Baltimore Claws, who folded before playing a game.

California Angels: Virtually anything supplied to the Halos by Los Angeles-based Goodman and Sons were tagless items, except for the 1979 Angels ALCS home whites, of which I have only seen two in my 30-plus years of jersey collecting (a Frank Tanana and a Joe Rudi).

Chicago White Sox: The Veeck-designed 1976 Rawlings pullovers with the oversized collars were untagged 90 percent of the time. Occasional examples will emerge with a set 1 flag tag, but those are minimal in quantity.

Cincinnati: Tagless Wilson road knits were the norm for the 1972-76 time frame, although many examples feature a markered set number (1, 2, or 3) handwritten on the Wilson label.

Cleveland: Normally a tagging team, one can find nearly all 1975 Wilson gamers to not bear the year tag that other years included. Also, as in the case of the 1976 White Sox garb mentioned earlier, team budget constraints found the tagless threads being worn periodically one and even two seasons later.

Los Angeles Dodgers: You can find tagged jerseys, featuring year and set notations, for some 1970s Goodman issuances, but not, from my experiences, on home or road Dodgers duds from 1976, 1977, or 1979.
WRONGLY TAGGED THREADS

There are still too many NFL retail jerseys, discernable by a separate Pro Line tag on items made by companies who didn’t use the notation on team-issued items, being offered as gamers on eBay. Three popped up in the past week, including a Russell Eagles jersey, a Bears Champion shirt, and one from Wilson of the Colts. Sad to say, all three companies never featured Pro Line notations on the tagging of any of their team-issued garb. In the case of the Bears jersey, the Pro Line tag replaced the team-exclusive tag in the dual tagging on the tail. The Wilson fake showed the 1995 shield logo on the tag…appropriate for sleeves on ’95 NFL game attire, but NEVER on the Wilson tag.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LOUISVILLE SLUGGER

Louisville slugger will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of their existence as a MLB bat supplier by placing a logo on 2009-issued MLB game bats. Located between the centerbrand and the barrel ID notations, the logo will bear the 125th designation, as well as the years involved (1884-2009). Louisville has only placed special logos on their bats twice before: the BiCentennial Liberty Bell logo in 1976, and the pink ribbon insignia for Mothers’ Day/Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Bats, beginning in 2006.

RETRO BECOMES REGULAR

Word comes from Wisconsin’s Murf Denny that the 2009-10 NBA season will find the Philadelphia 76ers making the current season’s 1983-style Hardwood Classics design their regular style for all games. As in that bygone season, home versions will be white and road designs will be red.

GIVE IT TO THE KID…

…Not the course of action of most adult game-used collectors, but the definitive choice of one NBA player recently.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers entered the NBA 10,000 career point club on March 21st, and team officials were looking to retrieve the game ball that scored that milestone point to give to Ilgauskas. Problem was, the ball somehow made it into the stands after the game, and was gone by the time team officials began searching in earnest. Local media immediately began calling for the ball’s new owner to turn the ball over to the Cavs for Ilgauskas.

The thing was, the ball was not in the hands of a memorabilia dealer or even a diehard NBA collector, but rather an 8-year old kid. The kid’s mother, seeing the media outcry over returning the prized ball, called the Cavs and explained the circumstances. Ilgauskas contacted the family, and, noting the pressure being placed on a grade-school youngster, defused the dilemma by telling the boy that he could keep it. A nice ending if the kid enjoys his souvenir from an NBA game, but not so nice if the ball shows up on eBay in a few weeks…here’s hoping for the former.

OBITUARIES

Lou Saban, who played for the NFL Browns from 1946-49, and coached the Patriots, Bills and Broncos of both the AFL and AFC over 16 years, died from heart failure March 29 at age 87. Saban had two coaching stints with the Bills, winning the AFL Championship the first time around in 1964-65, and, after returning, coached O.J. Simpson.

Herman Franks, a former big league catcher and manager, died on March 30 at age 95. Franks caught in the National League (1939-41) with St. Louis and Brooklyn before serving in World War 2, and, upon his playing resumption, caught for the Athletics and Giants in the 1947-49 time frame. He managed both the Giants (1965-68) and Cubs (1977-79), never winning a pennant or division title, but scoring four consecutive 2nd place finishes during his years in San Francisco.
THE BEARS HAVE A FRANCHISE QB AT LAST!!

TAGLESS THREADS

Collectors are usually more comfortable with baseball gamers that have tags included. For the purposes of this discussion as well as the previous statement, we’re not discussing manufacturer or size tags. No, collectors usually like to see notations such as the year of usage, maybe the set number, a name or numeric player ID, and, on rare occasions, an inventory number. Most teams carry at least one of these items in their current game attire, although a handful…Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Houston, for example…have been largely tagless since 2000.

A few tagless teams is not a recent occurrence. Even in the 1970s, there were a few styles of the then-newfangled doubleknits that didn’t feature the numbers and names hobbyists like to see. The Shirt will feature a nearly complete list of 1970s knits that bore only a supplier label, generally with the size included in the design.

Baltimore: The Orioles were very tag-friendly on their Wilson, Rawlings, and Spalding knit gamers, but the one style from 1971-79 not made by those three…the 1971 orange pullover alternates…were tagless. The style was made by Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods, and the HoFer’s company tagged pretty much nothing it made…that included O’s Old-Timers Game garb in the later ’70’s, as well as the prototype for the ABA Baltimore Claws, who folded before playing a game.

California Angels: Virtually anything supplied to the Halos by Los Angeles-based Goodman and Sons were tagless items, except for the 1979 Angels ALCS home whites, of which I have only seen two in my 30-plus years of jersey collecting (a Frank Tanana and a Joe Rudi).

Chicago White Sox: The Veeck-designed 1976 Rawlings pullovers with the oversized collars were untagged 90 percent of the time. Occasional examples will emerge with a set 1 flag tag, but those are minimal in quantity.

Cincinnati: Tagless Wilson road knits were the norm for the 1972-76 time frame, although many examples feature a markered set number (1, 2, or 3) handwritten on the Wilson label.

Cleveland: Normally a tagging team, one can find nearly all 1975 Wilson gamers to not bear the year tag that other years included. Also, as in the case of the 1976 White Sox garb mentioned earlier, team budget constraints found the tagless threads being worn periodically one and even two seasons later.

Los Angeles Dodgers: You can find tagged jerseys, featuring year and set notations, for some 1970s Goodman issuances, but not, from my experiences, on home or road Dodgers duds from 1976, 1977, or 1979.
WRONGLY TAGGED THREADS

There are still too many NFL retail jerseys, discernable by a separate Pro Line tag on items made by companies who didn’t use the notation on team-issued items, being offered as gamers on eBay. Three popped up in the past week, including a Russell Eagles jersey, a Bears Champion shirt, and one from Wilson of the Colts. Sad to say, all three companies never featured Pro Line notations on the tagging of any of their team-issued garb. In the case of the Bears jersey, the Pro Line tag replaced the team-exclusive tag in the dual tagging on the tail. The Wilson fake showed the 1995 shield logo on the tag…appropriate for sleeves on ’95 NFL game attire, but NEVER on the Wilson tag.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LOUISVILLE SLUGGER

Louisville slugger will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of their existence as a MLB bat supplier by placing a logo on 2009-issued MLB game bats. Located between the centerbrand and the barrel ID notations, the logo will bear the 125th designation, as well as the years involved (1884-2009). Louisville has only placed special logos on their bats twice before: the BiCentennial Liberty Bell logo in 1976, and the pink ribbon insignia for Mothers’ Day/Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Bats, beginning in 2006.

RETRO BECOMES REGULAR

Word comes from Wisconsin’s Murf Denny that the 2009-10 NBA season will find the Philadelphia 76ers making the current season’s 1983-style Hardwood Classics design their regular style for all games. As in that bygone season, home versions will be white and road designs will be red.

GIVE IT TO THE KID…

…Not the course of action of most adult game-used collectors, but the definitive choice of one NBA player recently.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers entered the NBA 10,000 career point club on March 21st, and team officials were looking to retrieve the game ball that scored that milestone point to give to Ilgauskas. Problem was, the ball somehow made it into the stands after the game, and was gone by the time team officials began searching in earnest. Local media immediately began calling for the ball’s new owner to turn the ball over to the Cavs for Ilgauskas.

The thing was, the ball was not in the hands of a memorabilia dealer or even a diehard NBA collector, but rather an 8-year old kid. The kid’s mother, seeing the media outcry over returning the prized ball, called the Cavs and explained the circumstances. Ilgauskas contacted the family, and, noting the pressure being placed on a grade-school youngster, defused the dilemma by telling the boy that he could keep it. A nice ending if the kid enjoys his souvenir from an NBA game, but not so nice if the ball shows up on eBay in a few weeks…here’s hoping for the former.

OBITUARIES

Lou Saban, who played for the NFL Browns from 1946-49, and coached the Patriots, Bills and Broncos of both the AFL and AFC over 16 years, died from heart failure March 29 at age 87. Saban had two coaching stints with the Bills, winning the AFL Championship the first time around in 1964-65, and, after returning, coached O.J. Simpson.

Herman Franks, a former big league catcher and manager, died on March 30 at age 95. Franks caught in the National League (1939-41) with St. Louis and Brooklyn before serving in World War 2, and, upon his playing resumption, caught for the Athletics and Giants in the 1947-49 time frame. He managed both the Giants (1965-68) and Cubs (1977-79), never winning a pennant or division title, but scoring four consecutive 2nd place finishes during his years in San Francisco.
THE BEARS HAVE A FRANCHISE QB AT LAST!!

CONTRACTED SUPPLIERS

Beginning with the NBA in 1986, the idea of contracted suppliers…official supplier for sports uniforms for a major league…became part of the game-used hobby lexicon. MLB and the NFL soon followed, although the NFL employed a number of official suppliers until 2001. Below is a rundown of contracting sources for game attire in the three major sports leagues.

MLB: Rawlings supplied most of MLB from 1987-91, although five teams (Braves, Blue Jays, Tigers, Yankees and Red Sox) ordered at least one style from Wilson, and two other teams (Padres and Astros) and one player (Nolan Ryan) went to Goodman for a limited number of unies. Russell was the new contracted MLB supplier from 1992-99, with some teams (Braves, White Sox, and Blue Jays) ordering some Wilson attire for the entire time frame, and the Cardinals and Pirates using Rawlings in that same eight year span. The Dodgers wore Rawlings from 1992-94, and the Mets ordered garb from both Rawlings and AIS during a portion of the Russell contract. The contract was split among three companies (Majestic, Rawlings and Russell) from 2000-2002, and two (Majestic and Russell) in 2003-04. As of 2005, all MLB uniforms have been supplied by Majestic. One other exception has been certain Turn Back the Clock outfits over the last 15 or so years, with AIS, Ebbets Field Flannels, and Mitchell & Ness being involved.

NFL: Multiple suppliers were the norm for the NFL from the late 1980s all the way into 2000, with participating official suppliers at some point in that span including Wilson, Russell, Champion, Apex, Starter, Puma, Logo Athletic, Nike, Reebok and Adidas. Sand-Knit uniforms also were made in 1989-90. In 2001, Reebok took over all but a few teams, who used Adidas. The following year, Reebok was totally exclusive, the standard of the league til now.

NBA: Sand-Knit was the whole ball game from 1986-87 through 1989-90, as was Champion from 1990-91 through 1996-97. From 1997-98 through 2003-04, the league used multiples sources, predominant among them Nike, who was involved the entire time. Champion was in the mix until 2000-01, Starter and Puma saw action in 1997-99 and 1998-2000, respectively, and Reebok showed up in 2001-02. Reebok got exclusive uniform rights in 2004-05 and 2005-06, with Adidas succeeding them and the current contract holder.

The next Shirt will discuss the presence of the supplier sleeve logos (also called TV logos) that are connected to this listing.

BASEBALL BITS

Greg Maddux will have two number retirement ceremonies to attend in 2009. In addition to the Cubs’ ceremony in which his #31 will be retired for both Fergie Jenkins and himself, the Braves will mothball #31 all for him on July 17.

The Washington Nationals will wear special caps in a game later this year to honor recently departed general manager Jim Bowden. While the red home cap will feature a front side W, instead of the curly W they normally use, the letter will be a logo of two wishbone C’s (think the Cincinnati Reds) points down and connected to create a W.

Tag carryovers of manufacturer label designs can ad do occasionally happen, but one eBay item with solid provenance shows one of the more extreme examples. A 1998 Red Sox road knit of Greg Swindell, sourced from the Fenway Park Garage Sale a couple of months ago, bears a Russell label that was the norm for 1992! . That time delay is one of the most extreme time gaps I’ve ever seen.

BASKETBALL BITS

More sightings of Go Green NBA game uniforms this past week include ones worn by the Bobcats on April 7 and the Bulls on April 9. I’m sure Al Gore will start a collection of these. 🙂

Just as there seem to be a few Pro Line NFL jerseys being offered, either through lack of knowledge or planned deceit, on the Bay, NBA jerseys are sometimes found with the same problems, as well. Recently, a seller had a Juwan Howard Wizards jersey by Nike that had he gnawing problem of bearing a “Made in El Salvador” notation on the extra length flag tag…a death knell as far as team-issued/game-worn pedigree goes. You don’t want to see this tag notation on the tail of a Nike-made NBA jersey.

ALPHA BITS

Not the cereal…but another made-up word recently encountered to describe authentication in an eBay listing. Garbled English has now gone from “authentification” to “authenticizing”. I know some vintage football game-used enthusiasts chafe a little when they see “dureen” instead of “durene”, but this one is ridiculous!

OBITUARIES

Nick Adenhart, 22-year-old Angels pitcher, was killed in an auto accident in the wee hours of April 9th when his vehicle, carrying three other people, was hit by a van. Two of the three passengers also died. Adenhart had thrown six innings of scoreless ball in a start just hours before his life was ended.

Ken Anderson (not the Bengals QB great) died of a heart attack April 3rd at age 33. He played college ball at Arizona and was a member of the 1999 Bears.

Gus Cifelli, a tackle for 3 National Championship football squads at Notre Dame and a pro with the Detroit Lions, died March 26th of natural causes. He was 84.

Paul Davis, head football coach at Mississippi State in 1962-66 and again in 1987, died at age 87.

Marvin Webster, a 9-year NBA center known as the “Human Eraser”, died of an undetermined illness at age 56. Eight steady seasons with Seattle and New York found Webster making a mark on the game, with a NBA Championship ring earned with the Sonics. Two years of hepatitis pretty much ended his career, although a brief comeback was attempted with Milwaukee.

Mike Casey, a Kentucky Wildcats hoops star from 1967-69 and 1970-71, died from heart complications at age 60. He missed the 1969-70 NCAA season with a broken leg.

RIP, NICK ADENHART, AND MAY YOUR KILLER ROT IN JAIL

CONTRACTED SUPPLIERS

Beginning with the NBA in 1986, the idea of contracted suppliers…official supplier for sports uniforms for a major league…became part of the game-used hobby lexicon. MLB and the NFL soon followed, although the NFL employed a number of official suppliers until 2001. Below is a rundown of contracting sources for game attire in the three major sports leagues.

MLB: Rawlings supplied most of MLB from 1987-91, although five teams (Braves, Blue Jays, Tigers, Yankees and Red Sox) ordered at least one style from Wilson, and two other teams (Padres and Astros) and one player (Nolan Ryan) went to Goodman for a limited number of unies. Russell was the new contracted MLB supplier from 1992-99, with some teams (Braves, White Sox, and Blue Jays) ordering some Wilson attire for the entire time frame, and the Cardinals and Pirates using Rawlings in that same eight year span. The Dodgers wore Rawlings from 1992-94, and the Mets ordered garb from both Rawlings and AIS during a portion of the Russell contract. The contract was split among three companies (Majestic, Rawlings and Russell) from 2000-2002, and two (Majestic and Russell) in 2003-04. As of 2005, all MLB uniforms have been supplied by Majestic. One other exception has been certain Turn Back the Clock outfits over the last 15 or so years, with AIS, Ebbets Field Flannels, and Mitchell & Ness being involved.

NFL: Multiple suppliers were the norm for the NFL from the late 1980s all the way into 2000, with participating official suppliers at some point in that span including Wilson, Russell, Champion, Apex, Starter, Puma, Logo Athletic, Nike, Reebok and Adidas. Sand-Knit uniforms also were made in 1989-90. In 2001, Reebok took over all but a few teams, who used Adidas. The following year, Reebok was totally exclusive, the standard of the league til now.

NBA: Sand-Knit was the whole ball game from 1986-87 through 1989-90, as was Champion from 1990-91 through 1996-97. From 1997-98 through 2003-04, the league used multiples sources, predominant among them Nike, who was involved the entire time. Champion was in the mix until 2000-01, Starter and Puma saw action in 1997-99 and 1998-2000, respectively, and Reebok showed up in 2001-02. Reebok got exclusive uniform rights in 2004-05 and 2005-06, with Adidas succeeding them and the current contract holder.

The next Shirt will discuss the presence of the supplier sleeve logos (also called TV logos) that are connected to this listing.

BASEBALL BITS

Greg Maddux will have two number retirement ceremonies to attend in 2009. In addition to the Cubs’ ceremony in which his #31 will be retired for both Fergie Jenkins and himself, the Braves will mothball #31 all for him on July 17.

The Washington Nationals will wear special caps in a game later this year to honor recently departed general manager Jim Bowden. While the red home cap will feature a front side W, instead of the curly W they normally use, the letter will be a logo of two wishbone C’s (think the Cincinnati Reds) points down and connected to create a W.

Tag carryovers of manufacturer label designs can ad do occasionally happen, but one eBay item with solid provenance shows one of the more extreme examples. A 1998 Red Sox road knit of Greg Swindell, sourced from the Fenway Park Garage Sale a couple of months ago, bears a Russell label that was the norm for 1992! . That time delay is one of the most extreme time gaps I’ve ever seen.

BASKETBALL BITS

More sightings of Go Green NBA game uniforms this past week include ones worn by the Bobcats on April 7 and the Bulls on April 9. I’m sure Al Gore will start a collection of these. 🙂

Just as there seem to be a few Pro Line NFL jerseys being offered, either through lack of knowledge or planned deceit, on the Bay, NBA jerseys are sometimes found with the same problems, as well. Recently, a seller had a Juwan Howard Wizards jersey by Nike that had he gnawing problem of bearing a “Made in El Salvador” notation on the extra length flag tag…a death knell as far as team-issued/game-worn pedigree goes. You don’t want to see this tag notation on the tail of a Nike-made NBA jersey.

ALPHA BITS

Not the cereal…but another made-up word recently encountered to describe authentication in an eBay listing. Garbled English has now gone from “authentification” to “authenticizing”. I know some vintage football game-used enthusiasts chafe a little when they see “dureen” instead of “durene”, but this one is ridiculous!

OBITUARIES

Nick Adenhart, 22-year-old Angels pitcher, was killed in an auto accident in the wee hours of April 9th when his vehicle, carrying three other people, was hit by a van. Two of the three passengers also died. Adenhart had thrown six innings of scoreless ball in a start just hours before his life was ended.

Ken Anderson (not the Bengals QB great) died of a heart attack April 3rd at age 33. He played college ball at Arizona and was a member of the 1999 Bears.

Gus Cifelli, a tackle for 3 National Championship football squads at Notre Dame and a pro with the Detroit Lions, died March 26th of natural causes. He was 84.

Paul Davis, head football coach at Mississippi State in 1962-66 and again in 1987, died at age 87.

Marvin Webster, a 9-year NBA center known as the “Human Eraser”, died of an undetermined illness at age 56. Eight steady seasons with Seattle and New York found Webster making a mark on the game, with a NBA Championship ring earned with the Sonics. Two years of hepatitis pretty much ended his career, although a brief comeback was attempted with Milwaukee.

Mike Casey, a Kentucky Wildcats hoops star from 1967-69 and 1970-71, died from heart complications at age 60. He missed the 1969-70 NCAA season with a broken leg.

RIP, NICK ADENHART, AND MAY YOUR KILLER ROT IN JAIL

NOW, ABOUT THOSE OTHER GUYS…

After reviewing the patches/no patches and spring training/season usage of the 1969 Seattle Pilots last time out, similar information will be detailed here on the other three 1969 expansion teams.

Kansas City Royals: Spring and season designs were the same, save for the left sleeve patch. Neither style carried the familiar Royals logo patch, with the spring versions having no patch, and the season designs sporting the MLB 100th Anniversary patch.

San Diego Padres: Patchless in the spring, the Pads home and road shirts during their first regular season bore the San Diego Tricentennial patch. The MLB 100 years patch was not used. Also of note: the Wilson-made 1969 road tan flannels are found with and without NIC tagging. While I can’t say this with total certainty, it is highly possible that the NIC-less versions were spring attire.

Montreal Expos: Like the Royals, no change in spring and season styles, home or road, and, also like the Royals, no patch in the spring, and the MLB 100th Anniversary insignia in the regular season.

Some 1969 Topps cards that show the spring training versions of the three teams noted above: Padres: #452 Al Ferrara; Royals: #603 Joe Keough (home) and #463 Dennis Ribant (road); (Expos) #466 John Boccabella and #496 Larry Jaster.

NFL NEWS

For 2009, the Detroit Lions are temporarily shelving jersey #93. That number was worn in 2008 by Corey Smith, one of the two NFL players lost at sea in a boating accident.

The 2009 NFL season will find a season-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the old American Football League. The original AFL teams will do their part by wearing legacy uniforms in games against other original AFL clubs. The teams will don attire of their pre-merger days, and the styles are listed below. Of course, being AFL expansion teams, Miami (1966) and Cincinnati (1968) are not part of the promotion.

Buffalo: Will wear 1965 style unies.

Denver: Patrick Scoggin will like this…retro 1960 brown and mustard yellow threads.

Kansas City: The Chiefs were the Dallas Texans back then, and the Texans’ 1962 duds will be revived.

New England: The old red unies of the old Boston Patriots from 1963 will be the deal here.

New York: The Jets will wear TBTC New York Titans outfits, but the style will be the white, not the dark blue used the last 2 seasons.

Oakland: The current Oakland Raiders will mimic the original Oakland Raiders’ 1963 design, using white jerseys will silver numbers trimmed in black.

San Diego: The Chargers of SD will wear pants from the era of the LA Chargers…white pants with yellow bolts on the legs.

Tennessee: Formed as the Houston Oilers, a blue and white uniform with red accents will be the order of the day here.

Also, all eight teams involved will also sport retro helmets from the AFL era, ranging from the slightly different Raiders logo used back then to the totally redesigned and differently hued helmets of the Patriots, Titans, Broncos and others.

MORE NBA NOCHE LATINA

More sightings of the Hispanic-themed NBA shirts are s follows:

San Antonio..Los Spurs white March 20.

Dallas…Los Mavs green alternates March 25

Chicago…Los Bulls red worn at home March 26

TWO MORE TO AVOID

More eBay offerings that may not have been intended to be misdescribed, but are nonetheless:

Mid-1990s Chicago Bears home Chris Zorich jersey. Described as a game-used jersey, the Champion made shirt is dual tagged, but the second tag is a Pro Line label, not used on Champion NFL gamers.

A 1991 California Angels home, properly tagged, #30 jersey purported to be a Nolan Ryan wearable. Three problems: Ryan was with Texas at the time, the NOB font is wrong, and the jersey is sized a 42 at a time when The Express took 44s and 46s. My own belief? Likely a 1991 legit Angels gamer of Ruben Amaro Jr. (#30, 5-10, 175) that was somehow turned into a Ryan, quite possibly by a previous owner.

OBITUARIES

John Blanchard, former C-1B-OF who played on five straight Yankees pennant winners from 1960-64, died of a heart attack. He was 76.

Whitey Lockman, a 16-year Major Leaguer, predominantly with the New York/San Francisco Giants, passed away at age 82. Lockman also was the manager of the Cubs from mid-1972 to mid-1974.

George Kell, a 3B for the A’s, Tigers, Red Sox, White Sox and Orioles from 1943-57, died in his sleep March 24. Age 86 at his time of death, Kell’s .306 lifetime batting average helped him get in the door at Cooperstown. He also spent several decades as a Tigers broadcaster.

Elmer Weingartner, a wartime player who appeared in 20 games for the 1945 Indians, died at age 90 in the Cleveland suburbs on March 15.

Jeff Komlo, a five year NFL QB who was a fugitive from the law, died in a car accident in Greece at age 52. Komlo appeared in 16 games for the 1979 Detroit Lions, and spent the other four years of his career as a backup for the Lions, Falcons and Buccaneers.

Butch Komives, a 10-year NBA guard who played from 1964-65 to 1973-74 with the Knicks, Pistons, Buffalo Braves and Kansas City-Omaha Kings, died at age 67.

GET HEALTHY, AARON BOONE

NOW, ABOUT THOSE OTHER GUYS…

After reviewing the patches/no patches and spring training/season usage of the 1969 Seattle Pilots last time out, similar information will be detailed here on the other three 1969 expansion teams.

Kansas City Royals: Spring and season designs were the same, save for the left sleeve patch. Neither style carried the familiar Royals logo patch, with the spring versions having no patch, and the season designs sporting the MLB 100th Anniversary patch.

San Diego Padres: Patchless in the spring, the Pads home and road shirts during their first regular season bore the San Diego Tricentennial patch. The MLB 100 years patch was not used. Also of note: the Wilson-made 1969 road tan flannels are found with and without NIC tagging. While I can’t say this with total certainty, it is highly possible that the NIC-less versions were spring attire.

Montreal Expos: Like the Royals, no change in spring and season styles, home or road, and, also like the Royals, no patch in the spring, and the MLB 100th Anniversary insignia in the regular season.

Some 1969 Topps cards that show the spring training versions of the three teams noted above: Padres: #452 Al Ferrara; Royals: #603 Joe Keough (home) and #463 Dennis Ribant (road); (Expos) #466 John Boccabella and #496 Larry Jaster.

NFL NEWS

For 2009, the Detroit Lions are temporarily shelving jersey #93. That number was worn in 2008 by Corey Smith, one of the two NFL players lost at sea in a boating accident.

The 2009 NFL season will find a season-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the old American Football League. The original AFL teams will do their part by wearing legacy uniforms in games against other original AFL clubs. The teams will don attire of their pre-merger days, and the styles are listed below. Of course, being AFL expansion teams, Miami (1966) and Cincinnati (1968) are not part of the promotion.

Buffalo: Will wear 1965 style unies.

Denver: Patrick Scoggin will like this…retro 1960 brown and mustard yellow threads.

Kansas City: The Chiefs were the Dallas Texans back then, and the Texans’ 1962 duds will be revived.

New England: The old red unies of the old Boston Patriots from 1963 will be the deal here.

New York: The Jets will wear TBTC New York Titans outfits, but the style will be the white, not the dark blue used the last 2 seasons.

Oakland: The current Oakland Raiders will mimic the original Oakland Raiders’ 1963 design, using white jerseys will silver numbers trimmed in black.

San Diego: The Chargers of SD will wear pants from the era of the LA Chargers…white pants with yellow bolts on the legs.

Tennessee: Formed as the Houston Oilers, a blue and white uniform with red accents will be the order of the day here.

Also, all eight teams involved will also sport retro helmets from the AFL era, ranging from the slightly different Raiders logo used back then to the totally redesigned and differently hued helmets of the Patriots, Titans, Broncos and others.

MORE NBA NOCHE LATINA

More sightings of the Hispanic-themed NBA shirts are s follows:

San Antonio..Los Spurs white March 20.

Dallas…Los Mavs green alternates March 25

Chicago…Los Bulls red worn at home March 26

TWO MORE TO AVOID

More eBay offerings that may not have been intended to be misdescribed, but are nonetheless:

Mid-1990s Chicago Bears home Chris Zorich jersey. Described as a game-used jersey, the Champion made shirt is dual tagged, but the second tag is a Pro Line label, not used on Champion NFL gamers.

A 1991 California Angels home, properly tagged, #30 jersey purported to be a Nolan Ryan wearable. Three problems: Ryan was with Texas at the time, the NOB font is wrong, and the jersey is sized a 42 at a time when The Express took 44s and 46s. My own belief? Likely a 1991 legit Angels gamer of Ruben Amaro Jr. (#30, 5-10, 175) that was somehow turned into a Ryan, quite possibly by a previous owner.

OBITUARIES

John Blanchard, former C-1B-OF who played on five straight Yankees pennant winners from 1960-64, died of a heart attack. He was 76.

Whitey Lockman, a 16-year Major Leaguer, predominantly with the New York/San Francisco Giants, passed away at age 82. Lockman also was the manager of the Cubs from mid-1972 to mid-1974.

George Kell, a 3B for the A’s, Tigers, Red Sox, White Sox and Orioles from 1943-57, died in his sleep March 24. Age 86 at his time of death, Kell’s .306 lifetime batting average helped him get in the door at Cooperstown. He also spent several decades as a Tigers broadcaster.

Elmer Weingartner, a wartime player who appeared in 20 games for the 1945 Indians, died at age 90 in the Cleveland suburbs on March 15.

Jeff Komlo, a five year NFL QB who was a fugitive from the law, died in a car accident in Greece at age 52. Komlo appeared in 16 games for the 1979 Detroit Lions, and spent the other four years of his career as a backup for the Lions, Falcons and Buccaneers.

Butch Komives, a 10-year NBA guard who played from 1964-65 to 1973-74 with the Knicks, Pistons, Buffalo Braves and Kansas City-Omaha Kings, died at age 67.

GET HEALTHY, AARON BOONE

PILOTS FACTS AND MYTHS

A friendly difference of opinion on Seattle Pilots uniforms with a major game-used seller prompted me to check on his, and other assertions as to what the Pilots did and didn’t wear during their lone American League season. The 1969 expansion club will be looked at in this regard with a focus on uniform jerseys and caps.

Myth: The Pilots wore their spring training jerseys for part of the regular season.

Fact: The two spring training styles were both made by Wilson with a simple PILOTS front, number on back, all in blue, with no year tagging. The regular season homes were also by Wilson, with a front left chest design showing a lower case team name and a pilot wheel logo above it, with the front and back numbers being blue with yellow trim. The roads (by Spalding) were powder blue with a front-side city name in yellow with royal blue trim, the same color scheme as the back numbers.

A question regarding this in the 1990s newsletter Diamond Duds was answered with a referral to a midseason edition of the 1969 Pilots yearbook. The photo showed the Pilots players along the foul line on Opening Day for pregame introduction. All were outfitted in the regular season Wilson homes. No evidence has been produced of a regular season game in which the team wore the plain-looking spring shirts.

Myth: The Pilots wore the MLB 100th Anniversary patch on their spring jerseys/regular season jerseys.

Fact: 75% of that statement is, indeed, myth . Topps cards from the last 3 series of the 1969 set (the 5th series was the first to show the four expansion teams in their 1969 spring unies) show Pilots players in their spring attire, and none of the cards from ’69 (#651 Gus Gil) or 1970 (#158 Jerry McNertney, #370 Tommy Harper, #323 Wayne Comer, and the 1970 Super card #9 Tommy Harper) that I saw show the patch on the left sleeve, the alleged location of the unbelievers. In addition, licensed MLB Photo File 8x10s of McNertney and Marty Pattin show a blank left sleeve as well. More on those two photos later.

As for the regular season, the road powder blues had the patch on the left sleeve, but the home whites did not. Again, photo evidence of the lack of a patch is evident in a team photo issued by Avis with the usual style of arranging of the players, as well as the only Seattle Pilots team card ever issued by Topps, #713 in the 1970 set. Both photos do not show a single player wearing the patch.

Myth: The Pilots had spring training and regular season caps.

Fact: It is true that two different styles were made: the plain blue cap with a yellow S, and the fancier cap with the pilot wings on the brim and the long yellow stripe at the base of the crown. And, while it’s also true that the plain caps were worn only in spring training, the fancier caps, in addition to the regular season, saw at least limited use in Arizona, as well. The McNertney and Pattin 8x10s mentioned earlier show both players with the plain unies, but the “scrambled eggs” caps, the nickname derived from the wings design on the brim.

Here’s hoping that sets it straight on 1969 Pilots uniforms.

CUBS CEREMONY COMING

On May 3, before the Cubs-Marlins game at Wrigley Field, the retirement by the team of jersey #31 will be celebrated. The retirement is in honor of both Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux. Expect Andre Dawson to be on hand, as well. Dawson works for the Marlins, and sometimes dresses in uniform with the team, and was a teammate of Maddux.

WEARIN’ OF THE GREEN

Three NBA teams were wearing St. Patrick’s Day green uniforms once or twice last week. The green garb was donned by the Raptors (March 15 and 16); the Bulls (March 17), and the Knicks (March 18).

A couple of side notes on the above:
The Raptors apparently were told by the league to wear the St. Patrick’s Day attire, and several members of the Raptors expressed a negative attitude towards the outfits, with one or two even filing complaints with the league. Most of the complaining centered around players feeling that the green garb made them look too much like the Boston Celtics.

Speaking of the Celtics, they were the Bulls opponent at the game on The Day itself, held at Chicago’s United Center. With the Bulls dressed up in green, the Celts wore their home whites for this road game.

Also, the Heat wore black Noche Latina unies as part of a Hispanic community promotion on March 9.

OBITUARIES

Former MLB pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, who spent 1973-78 with the Brewers and 1979 with the Royals, died on his 57th birthday, March 6

Joe Tepsic, who played in 15 games for the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers, died February 23. He was 85.

Alf Pike, a six-season member of the New York Rangers and also a member of the Canadian Military for tow years during World War 2. passed away at age 91. He also was the Rangers coach for part of the 1959-60 and all of the 1960-61 season.

Larry Regan, the NHL Rookie of the Year in 1956-57 and who split five NHL seasons with the Bruins and Maple Leafs, died at age 78. He also coached the Los Angeles Kings for one season.

William Davidson, the owner of the NBA Pistons, died at age 86. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last year, and became the only man to have three teams he owned win league championships within one full year, with winners being the 2003-04 Pistons, the 2003-04 NHL Tampa Bay Lightning and the 2004 WNBA Detroit Shock.

James Tillman, a center at Loyola University of Chicago from 1963-67, and a member of the school’s NCAA Champs, fell to bone cancer at age 62. He was drafted by the Bulls, but, at his agent’s advice, chose to go pro in Europe instead.

NICE JOB, MARTIN BRODEUR!

PILOTS FACTS AND MYTHS

A friendly difference of opinion on Seattle Pilots uniforms with a major game-used seller prompted me to check on his, and other assertions as to what the Pilots did and didn’t wear during their lone American League season. The 1969 expansion club will be looked at in this regard with a focus on uniform jerseys and caps.

Myth: The Pilots wore their spring training jerseys for part of the regular season.

Fact: The two spring training styles were both made by Wilson with a simple PILOTS front, number on back, all in blue, with no year tagging. The regular season homes were also by Wilson, with a front left chest design showing a lower case team name and a pilot wheel logo above it, with the front and back numbers being blue with yellow trim. The roads (by Spalding) were powder blue with a front-side city name in yellow with royal blue trim, the same color scheme as the back numbers.

A question regarding this in the 1990s newsletter Diamond Duds was answered with a referral to a midseason edition of the 1969 Pilots yearbook. The photo showed the Pilots players along the foul line on Opening Day for pregame introduction. All were outfitted in the regular season Wilson homes. No evidence has been produced of a regular season game in which the team wore the plain-looking spring shirts.

Myth: The Pilots wore the MLB 100th Anniversary patch on their spring jerseys/regular season jerseys.

Fact: 75% of that statement is, indeed, myth . Topps cards from the last 3 series of the 1969 set (the 5th series was the first to show the four expansion teams in their 1969 spring unies) show Pilots players in their spring attire, and none of the cards from ’69 (#651 Gus Gil) or 1970 (#158 Jerry McNertney, #370 Tommy Harper, #323 Wayne Comer, and the 1970 Super card #9 Tommy Harper) that I saw show the patch on the left sleeve, the alleged location of the unbelievers. In addition, licensed MLB Photo File 8x10s of McNertney and Marty Pattin show a blank left sleeve as well. More on those two photos later.

As for the regular season, the road powder blues had the patch on the left sleeve, but the home whites did not. Again, photo evidence of the lack of a patch is evident in a team photo issued by Avis with the usual style of arranging of the players, as well as the only Seattle Pilots team card ever issued by Topps, #713 in the 1970 set. Both photos do not show a single player wearing the patch.

Myth: The Pilots had spring training and regular season caps.

Fact: It is true that two different styles were made: the plain blue cap with a yellow S, and the fancier cap with the pilot wings on the brim and the long yellow stripe at the base of the crown. And, while it’s also true that the plain caps were worn only in spring training, the fancier caps, in addition to the regular season, saw at least limited use in Arizona, as well. The McNertney and Pattin 8x10s mentioned earlier show both players with the plain unies, but the “scrambled eggs” caps, the nickname derived from the wings design on the brim.

Here’s hoping that sets it straight on 1969 Pilots uniforms.

CUBS CEREMONY COMING

On May 3, before the Cubs-Marlins game at Wrigley Field, the retirement by the team of jersey #31 will be celebrated. The retirement is in honor of both Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux. Expect Andre Dawson to be on hand, as well. Dawson works for the Marlins, and sometimes dresses in uniform with the team, and was a teammate of Maddux.

WEARIN’ OF THE GREEN

Three NBA teams were wearing St. Patrick’s Day green uniforms once or twice last week. The green garb was donned by the Raptors (March 15 and 16); the Bulls (March 17), and the Knicks (March 18).

A couple of side notes on the above:
The Raptors apparently were told by the league to wear the St. Patrick’s Day attire, and several members of the Raptors expressed a negative attitude towards the outfits, with one or two even filing complaints with the league. Most of the complaining centered around players feeling that the green garb made them look too much like the Boston Celtics.

Speaking of the Celtics, they were the Bulls opponent at the game on The Day itself, held at Chicago’s United Center. With the Bulls dressed up in green, the Celts wore their home whites for this road game.

Also, the Heat wore black Noche Latina unies as part of a Hispanic community promotion on March 9.

OBITUARIES

Former MLB pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, who spent 1973-78 with the Brewers and 1979 with the Royals, died on his 57th birthday, March 6

Joe Tepsic, who played in 15 games for the 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers, died February 23. He was 85.

Alf Pike, a six-season member of the New York Rangers and also a member of the Canadian Military for tow years during World War 2. passed away at age 91. He also was the Rangers coach for part of the 1959-60 and all of the 1960-61 season.

Larry Regan, the NHL Rookie of the Year in 1956-57 and who split five NHL seasons with the Bruins and Maple Leafs, died at age 78. He also coached the Los Angeles Kings for one season.

William Davidson, the owner of the NBA Pistons, died at age 86. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last year, and became the only man to have three teams he owned win league championships within one full year, with winners being the 2003-04 Pistons, the 2003-04 NHL Tampa Bay Lightning and the 2004 WNBA Detroit Shock.

James Tillman, a center at Loyola University of Chicago from 1963-67, and a member of the school’s NCAA Champs, fell to bone cancer at age 62. He was drafted by the Bulls, but, at his agent’s advice, chose to go pro in Europe instead.

NICE JOB, MARTIN BRODEUR!

McAULIFFE…THE INITIAL RESEARCH

The issues regarding McAuliffe MLB jerseys that have been discussed on Game Used Forum have prompted me to engage in some research utilizing the MEARS database and also the MEARS jersey population report. The issues, one of which was part of the original posting by well known and knowledgeable collector Lon Lewis and the other of which seemed to spring forth from subsequent posts from other hobbyists, will engage two questions:

1) Did McAuliffe, during the era of their manufacture of MLB knits (1972-81) ever sell game-jerseys (similar to what today would be termed “retail authentics”), with team-issued tagging, over the counter or in similar retail fashion?

2) Is there any pattern in terms of date of issuance that would ascribe a specific time period to a McAuliffe tag with blue vertical lines on the left and right edges vis a vis McAuliffe tags with no such blue lines?

The research I was able to do gathered items from both the database and census report of MEARS, and will be grouped into four categories, listed below with reasonings as to their individual entity status.

1) MEARS A10 jerseys…gamers with no flaws and, where applicable, player or team provenance.

2) MEARS A6-A9 jerseys…gamers with minor flaws, but still regarded as game-used via MEARS standards.

3) MEARS A5 and below…jerseys that, based on the MEARS A5 grade, carry all the characteristics that would be expected to be found in a game-issued uniform. Technically, this is a post-1987 criteria, however, it is being applied here as well as the criteria mentioned appears to have been used or influenced the grading of a number of MEARS-examined jerseys of this genre.

4) MEARS database photos: These were taken from eBay images, websites, and other sources depicting game used and game-issued jerseys. Since selection for the database is based on visual examination, rather than hands-on authentication, while some examples may be jerseys that would grade Unable To Authenticate if examined by MEARS due to obvious flaws, others may depict jerseys with flaws or inconsistencies that are not discernable from basic computer images, and, as such, may be retail or non-team-issued jerseys.

FIRST OFF…THE A10s

The MEARS Census shows four jersey that have been evaluated and graded A10. Two are gamers with “game-used” or “My Gamer” notations inscribed on them as part of an autograph; the other two gained an A10 grade solely on reasonable wear and other pertinent characteristics.

The two inscribed jerseys are a 1976 Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski, gifted by Yaz to close friend and longtime show promoter Dick Gordon, and a 1977 Red Sox Fred Lynn. Gordon’s gamer has a McAuliffe tag without blue lines, the Lynn’s McAuliffe tag has them.

The other two A10s are a 1974 Red Sox Jim Rice, a late-season call-up gamer, and a 1977 Oakland A’s Joe Coleman. Both carry the blue-lined version of the manufacturer tag.

OTHER HIGH GRADE MEARS CENSUS JERSEYS

Eight McAuliffe jerseys in the census have MEARS grades in the A7-A9 range. They are listed below with the notation BLUE if the tags have blue lines, and no notation if they don’t.

1973 Red Sox Yaz A8

1973 Angels Nolan Ryan A7

1974 A’s Rollie Fingers A8

1975 A’s Larry Haney A8 BLUE

1975 A’s Reggie Jackson A8

1975 Red Sox Carlton Fisk A8

1976 Red Sox Yaz A9 BLUE

1976 A’s Steve McCatty A7 BLUE (1976 shell worn in 1977).

This sampling only includes census jerseys to which I had availability to photographs that showed the McAuliffe tag. Some census jerseys didn’t have photos, and they are not included in this sampling.

LOW GRADE AND NO GRADE

MEARS showed four jerseys in the census that were graded A5 or less, or had no grade. They are listed below.

1) 1973 Red Sox Yaz, A5. The jersey was given this grade based on an application of the post-1987 A5 criteria to this older item. No blue lines on tag.

2) 1974 Angels Nolan Ryan, A3. The jersey was found to be a genuine common player Angels gamer that was doctored to reflect Ryan’s identity, and was discernable from font differences with game photos in the MEARS database. No blue lines on tag.

3) 1975 A’s Reggie Jackson, no grade. This jersey was deemed to be a retail item based in inconsistencies in the A’s logo on the front with a photo of Jackson in uniform on Getty Images. No blue lines on tag.

4) 1975 A’s Billy Williams, no grade. Jersey was dubbed a salesman’s sample or possibly a retail jersey based on a major font inconsistency in the 2 in the jersey number (28). Blue lines on tag.

1977: Red Sox Fergie Jenkins

1977: Red Sox Yaz (2)***

1977: Red Sox Reggie Cleveland

1977: Red Sox Dick Drago

1977: Red Sox #20

1977: Red Sox Ramon Aviles

All have blue line tags except one of the Yaz jerseys.

***Both Yaz jerseys are likely retail and/or tag tampered. One of the two (the one with no blue lines on the tag) has tag tampering only discernable upon an enlarged photo. The other, with a blue line tag, is, like the Rice and Aaron, not a team-issue and likely a retail exemplar, based on it, like the Rice, being sized at a measurement Yaz never wore as an active player (in this case, size 46).

1978: Red Sox Yaz** No blue lines on McAuliffe tag, but enlarged image shows tag tampering in neck.

1979: A’s Bob Kearney…blue line tag

1980: A’s Lee Walls (no blue lines on tag)

1980: A’s Rickey Henderson (no blue lines on tag)

1981: A’s Rickey Henderson

1981: A’s A’s Keith Drumright ++

The Henderson has no blue lines, but the Drumright game item, a jacket does. The Drumright jacket is dated to 1981 as that was his only MLB season with Oakland.

DATABASE IMAGES

Here, now, broken down by years, are the images MEARS has collected on the database that I had access too. Jerseys with the blue-lined manufacturers tags will be marked or categorized appropriately.

1973:

Angels Mickey Rivers BLUE LINES

A’s Ken Holtzman

A’s Vic Davalillo

Angels Nolan Ryan BLUE LINES

A’s Reggie Jackson

A’s Bert Campaneris

A’s Larry Haney

1974:

A’s Joe Rudi BLUE LINES

A’s Catfish Hunter (2) ONE BLUE LINES

A’s Reggie Jackson (2)

Red Sox Jim Rice BLUE LINES

Red Sox Mario Guerrero

1975:

A’s Bert Campaneris

A’s Paul Lindblad

Red Sox Rick Burleson

A’s Vida Blue

Red Sox Cecil Cooper

Red Sox Johnny Pesky

Red Sox Yaz

Red Sox Jim Rice **

Red Sox Jim Burton

All except the Yaz have Blue Line tags.

** The Rice jersey is believed to be a retail/pro style jersey based on a sizing (40) that has not been documented as a size Rice took during his career..

1976:

A’s Vida Blue

Red Sox Fred Lynn

Brewers Hank Aaron **

A’s Joe Lonnett

A’s Bill North

Red Sox Rico Petrocelli

Red Sox Eddie Popowski

All except the Aaron have Blue Line tags. The Aaron is an obvious retail/pro style jersey, as McAuliffe did not supply the Brewers with any jerseys in 1976.

SO WHAT HAVE WE FOUND?

A few observations from this project:

1) The presence of off-sized, tagged game-type jerseys indicate possibility of retail jerseys with pro tagging being available to fans. Whether these retail/pro-style jerseys were sold on-site, by mail order, or through company insiders is open to debate and has not yet been determined.

2) The transition period for blue line tags replacing non-blue line tags appears to cover two years (1973 and 1974)

3) 1975-79 jerseys look to have been predominantly made with the blue line tags. MEARS graded exemplars used, and a small number of other similar jerseys, may have the old tags due to a carryover that most manufacturers have when a tag design is changed, not a foreign concept to most knowledgeable collectors.

4) The newer non-blue line tags sampled first were seen in 1980 jerseys; however, the sampling was limited, and additional exemplars may show earlier jerseys with the similar tag. The tag carryover design reality is evident with the 1981 A’s jacket of Keith Drumright, a 1981 tagged item with a blue line tag. Drumright’s only year with Oakland was 1981.

5) Retail jerseys from the era may carry either tag, as evidenced by the improperly sized Yaz and Rice jerseys, as well as the Aaron Brewers piece.. Also, tag-tampered exemplars, including the Yaz mentioned above, as well as one other, suggest tag doctoring as a possible cause for the older tags being in later-issued jerseys in some cases.

This constitutes a start on this study, but there’s certainly more out there that will either support the above findings or show possibilities of more liberal tag chronology for a specific style. I’m sure Lon Lewis is accumulating data on this research challenge, being the studious and knowledgeable hobbyist that he is. Also, any additional findings, pro or con, can be emailed to me at ballhawk396@hotmail.com for future expansion of what’s been started here.

McAULIFFE…THE INITIAL RESEARCH

The issues regarding McAuliffe MLB jerseys that have been discussed on Game Used Forum have prompted me to engage in some research utilizing the MEARS database and also the MEARS jersey population report. The issues, one of which was part of the original posting by well known and knowledgeable collector Lon Lewis and the other of which seemed to spring forth from subsequent posts from other hobbyists, will engage two questions:

1) Did McAuliffe, during the era of their manufacture of MLB knits (1972-81) ever sell game-jerseys (similar to what today would be termed “retail authentics”), with team-issued tagging, over the counter or in similar retail fashion?

2) Is there any pattern in terms of date of issuance that would ascribe a specific time period to a McAuliffe tag with blue vertical lines on the left and right edges vis a vis McAuliffe tags with no such blue lines?

The research I was able to do gathered items from both the database and census report of MEARS, and will be grouped into four categories, listed below with reasonings as to their individual entity status.

1) MEARS A10 jerseys…gamers with no flaws and, where applicable, player or team provenance.

2) MEARS A6-A9 jerseys…gamers with minor flaws, but still regarded as game-used via MEARS standards.

3) MEARS A5 and below…jerseys that, based on the MEARS A5 grade, carry all the characteristics that would be expected to be found in a game-issued uniform. Technically, this is a post-1987 criteria, however, it is being applied here as well as the criteria mentioned appears to have been used or influenced the grading of a number of MEARS-examined jerseys of this genre.

4) MEARS database photos: These were taken from eBay images, websites, and other sources depicting game used and game-issued jerseys. Since selection for the database is based on visual examination, rather than hands-on authentication, while some examples may be jerseys that would grade Unable To Authenticate if examined by MEARS due to obvious flaws, others may depict jerseys with flaws or inconsistencies that are not discernable from basic computer images, and, as such, may be retail or non-team-issued jerseys.

FIRST OFF…THE A10s

The MEARS Census shows four jersey that have been evaluated and graded A10. Two are gamers with “game-used” or “My Gamer” notations inscribed on them as part of an autograph; the other two gained an A10 grade solely on reasonable wear and other pertinent characteristics.

The two inscribed jerseys are a 1976 Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski, gifted by Yaz to close friend and longtime show promoter Dick Gordon, and a 1977 Red Sox Fred Lynn. Gordon’s gamer has a McAuliffe tag without blue lines, the Lynn’s McAuliffe tag has them.

The other two A10s are a 1974 Red Sox Jim Rice, a late-season call-up gamer, and a 1977 Oakland A’s Joe Coleman. Both carry the blue-lined version of the manufacturer tag.

OTHER HIGH GRADE MEARS CENSUS JERSEYS

Eight McAuliffe jerseys in the census have MEARS grades in the A7-A9 range. They are listed below with the notation BLUE if the tags have blue lines, and no notation if they don’t.

1973 Red Sox Yaz A8

1973 Angels Nolan Ryan A7

1974 A’s Rollie Fingers A8

1975 A’s Larry Haney A8 BLUE

1975 A’s Reggie Jackson A8

1975 Red Sox Carlton Fisk A8

1976 Red Sox Yaz A9 BLUE

1976 A’s Steve McCatty A7 BLUE (1976 shell worn in 1977).

This sampling only includes census jerseys to which I had availability to photographs that showed the McAuliffe tag. Some census jerseys didn’t have photos, and they are not included in this sampling.

LOW GRADE AND NO GRADE

MEARS showed four jerseys in the census that were graded A5 or less, or had no grade. They are listed below.

1) 1973 Red Sox Yaz, A5. The jersey was given this grade based on an application of the post-1987 A5 criteria to this older item. No blue lines on tag.

2) 1974 Angels Nolan Ryan, A3. The jersey was found to be a genuine common player Angels gamer that was doctored to reflect Ryan’s identity, and was discernable from font differences with game photos in the MEARS database. No blue lines on tag.

3) 1975 A’s Reggie Jackson, no grade. This jersey was deemed to be a retail item based in inconsistencies in the A’s logo on the front with a photo of Jackson in uniform on Getty Images. No blue lines on tag.

4) 1975 A’s Billy Williams, no grade. Jersey was dubbed a salesman’s sample or possibly a retail jersey based on a major font inconsistency in the 2 in the jersey number (28). Blue lines on tag.

1977: Red Sox Fergie Jenkins

1977: Red Sox Yaz (2)***

1977: Red Sox Reggie Cleveland

1977: Red Sox Dick Drago

1977: Red Sox #20

1977: Red Sox Ramon Aviles

All have blue line tags except one of the Yaz jerseys.

***Both Yaz jerseys are likely retail and/or tag tampered. One of the two (the one with no blue lines on the tag) has tag tampering only discernable upon an enlarged photo. The other, with a blue line tag, is, like the Rice and Aaron, not a team-issue and likely a retail exemplar, based on it, like the Rice, being sized at a measurement Yaz never wore as an active player (in this case, size 46).

1978: Red Sox Yaz** No blue lines on McAuliffe tag, but enlarged image shows tag tampering in neck.

1979: A’s Bob Kearney…blue line tag

1980: A’s Lee Walls (no blue lines on tag)

1980: A’s Rickey Henderson (no blue lines on tag)

1981: A’s Rickey Henderson

1981: A’s A’s Keith Drumright ++

The Henderson has no blue lines, but the Drumright game item, a jacket does. The Drumright jacket is dated to 1981 as that was his only MLB season with Oakland.

DATABASE IMAGES

Here, now, broken down by years, are the images MEARS has collected on the database that I had access too. Jerseys with the blue-lined manufacturers tags will be marked or categorized appropriately.

1973:

Angels Mickey Rivers BLUE LINES

A’s Ken Holtzman

A’s Vic Davalillo

Angels Nolan Ryan BLUE LINES

A’s Reggie Jackson

A’s Bert Campaneris

A’s Larry Haney

1974:

A’s Joe Rudi BLUE LINES

A’s Catfish Hunter (2) ONE BLUE LINES

A’s Reggie Jackson (2)

Red Sox Jim Rice BLUE LINES

Red Sox Mario Guerrero

1975:

A’s Bert Campaneris

A’s Paul Lindblad

Red Sox Rick Burleson

A’s Vida Blue

Red Sox Cecil Cooper

Red Sox Johnny Pesky

Red Sox Yaz

Red Sox Jim Rice **

Red Sox Jim Burton

All except the Yaz have Blue Line tags.

** The Rice jersey is believed to be a retail/pro style jersey based on a sizing (40) that has not been documented as a size Rice took during his career..

1976:

A’s Vida Blue

Red Sox Fred Lynn

Brewers Hank Aaron **

A’s Joe Lonnett

A’s Bill North

Red Sox Rico Petrocelli

Red Sox Eddie Popowski

All except the Aaron have Blue Line tags. The Aaron is an obvious retail/pro style jersey, as McAuliffe did not supply the Brewers with any jerseys in 1976.

SO WHAT HAVE WE FOUND?

A few observations from this project:

1) The presence of off-sized, tagged game-type jerseys indicate possibility of retail jerseys with pro tagging being available to fans. Whether these retail/pro-style jerseys were sold on-site, by mail order, or through company insiders is open to debate and has not yet been determined.

2) The transition period for blue line tags replacing non-blue line tags appears to cover two years (1973 and 1974)

3) 1975-79 jerseys look to have been predominantly made with the blue line tags. MEARS graded exemplars used, and a small number of other similar jerseys, may have the old tags due to a carryover that most manufacturers have when a tag design is changed, not a foreign concept to most knowledgeable collectors.

4) The newer non-blue line tags sampled first were seen in 1980 jerseys; however, the sampling was limited, and additional exemplars may show earlier jerseys with the similar tag. The tag carryover design reality is evident with the 1981 A’s jacket of Keith Drumright, a 1981 tagged item with a blue line tag. Drumright’s only year with Oakland was 1981.

5) Retail jerseys from the era may carry either tag, as evidenced by the improperly sized Yaz and Rice jerseys, as well as the Aaron Brewers piece.. Also, tag-tampered exemplars, including the Yaz mentioned above, as well as one other, suggest tag doctoring as a possible cause for the older tags being in later-issued jerseys in some cases.

This constitutes a start on this study, but there’s certainly more out there that will either support the above findings or show possibilities of more liberal tag chronology for a specific style. I’m sure Lon Lewis is accumulating data on this research challenge, being the studious and knowledgeable hobbyist that he is. Also, any additional findings, pro or con, can be emailed to me at ballhawk396@hotmail.com for future expansion of what’s been started here.

ANOTHER SINGLE GAME JERSEY

While St. Louis Cardinals superfan/supercollector Jeff Scott continues to research the date of use of the 1999 red MBA gamers, he’s found another one-game Cardinals top to share info about.

The Cardinals, as per Jeff, also had an MDA promotion in 1997, complete with special game jerseys. The jerseys, as per some Mets apparel of the same general time frame, carried an MDA patch, this on the left sleeve, as the Jackie Robinson patch was situated on the right sleeve. However, one distinct variance from the norm puts this style beyond the standard MDA-themed unies. It was in 1997 that the Cardinals first opted to remove uniform numbers from the jersey front. As it happened, however, the MDA gamers had a reappearance of the pre-1997 front digits, a variation from the standard 1997 St. Louis home and road attire. Thanks, Jeff, and keep us informed if you land a date on the red 1999 gamers.

NOCHE LATINA IN THE NBA

The first-ever Hispanic themed NBA gamers have begun making their debuts. The first was a white Lakers uniform worn March 3 with a team name of LOS LAKERS . The following night saw both teams in the Dallas-San Antonio contest wearing Noche Latina unies, as well as the Knicks. The Mavs wore green alternate LOS MAVS threads, the Spurs were LOS SPURS in white tops (even though they were the visiting team), and the Knicks used a Spanish city name front, NUEVA YORK .

This genre bears a Noche Latina patch, Noche Latina tagging above the Adidas labels and a MeiGray tag, as theses will be in their database, and likely be released through NBA Auctions.

PATCHING IT TOGETHER

Pro sports patch news, with a big assist from dealer Murf Denny:

After two games of wearing black shoulder strap bands, the Bulls have replaced the bands with a right jersey front patch, using Bulls team colors, eulogizing both Norm Van Lier (2) and Johnny Kerr (Red). The strap bands were limited to 2 games usage (one home, one road).

Among patches to be worn in MLB during 2009 are the following:

Twins: Final season at the Metrodome (NOT 40th Anniversary, as earlier reported, as the dome was opened in the early 1980s).
Padres and Royals: Team 40th Anniversary patches.
Cardinals: Host city, 2009 All-Star Game
Mets and Yankees: Inaugural season at their respective new stadiums.

HOCKEY AND BASEBALL BIDDING

MLB.com is auctioning more Rangers and Braves gamers, as well as a number of Yankees BP tops. The Texas threads begin closing at 7PM CST tonight; the Atlanta apparel at the same time Monday evening, and the Yanks wearables at 7PM CST on Wednesday.

Over in the NHL, the league website (www.nhl.com) has a number of goodies closing up beginning at 8PM CST on March 12th. Up for bids are Rangers sweaters from Andy Bathgate/Harry Howell Night; Doug Gilmour tribute night Maple Leafs jerseys, and V2 Blues gamers.

ZO’S 33…NO MO’

On March 30th, the Miami Heat will hold a halftime ceremony to retire the #33 jersey worn by Alonzo Mourning. Mourning had a solid career that was interrupted by kidney disease, with a comeback that included a NBA Championship ring with the Heat as Shaquille O’Neal’s backup at center.

OBITUARIES

Tom Sturdivant, a MLB pitcher who played for 7 different teams from 1955-64, passed away February 28. Sturdivant, 78 at time of death, is best remembered for his 5 seasons (1955-59) with the New York Yankees.

One of the oldest living Negro Leaguers, Curtis “Bingo” Lloyd, passed away late last month at age 99.

George McAfee, Pro Football Hall of Famer, died March 4th at age 90. McAfee played for the Chicago Bears from 1940-41 and 1945-50, serving the three years in between as a member of the U.S. Navy. Drafted from Duke by the Eagles, and immediately dealt to the Bears, McAfee was part of three NFL Championship Bears squads, and had his jersey number 5 retired by the team.

Although athlete spouses rarely make this section, one shall do so here. Colleen Howe, the wife of NHL legend Gordie Howe, died on the 5th due to the effects of Pick’s disease. She was 76. Mrs. Howe acted as her husband’s business manager for much of his career and for his retirement, with her accomplishments including arranging the deal that allowed Gordie to join his sons Mark and Marty with the defunct WHA Houston Aeros.

T.O. IS AVAILABLE…DIVA OR GAME-BREAKING RECEIVER?

ANOTHER SINGLE GAME JERSEY

While St. Louis Cardinals superfan/supercollector Jeff Scott continues to research the date of use of the 1999 red MBA gamers, he’s found another one-game Cardinals top to share info about.

The Cardinals, as per Jeff, also had an MDA promotion in 1997, complete with special game jerseys. The jerseys, as per some Mets apparel of the same general time frame, carried an MDA patch, this on the left sleeve, as the Jackie Robinson patch was situated on the right sleeve. However, one distinct variance from the norm puts this style beyond the standard MDA-themed unies. It was in 1997 that the Cardinals first opted to remove uniform numbers from the jersey front. As it happened, however, the MDA gamers had a reappearance of the pre-1997 front digits, a variation from the standard 1997 St. Louis home and road attire. Thanks, Jeff, and keep us informed if you land a date on the red 1999 gamers.

NOCHE LATINA IN THE NBA

The first-ever Hispanic themed NBA gamers have begun making their debuts. The first was a white Lakers uniform worn March 3 with a team name of LOS LAKERS . The following night saw both teams in the Dallas-San Antonio contest wearing Noche Latina unies, as well as the Knicks. The Mavs wore green alternate LOS MAVS threads, the Spurs were LOS SPURS in white tops (even though they were the visiting team), and the Knicks used a Spanish city name front, NUEVA YORK .

This genre bears a Noche Latina patch, Noche Latina tagging above the Adidas labels and a MeiGray tag, as theses will be in their database, and likely be released through NBA Auctions.

PATCHING IT TOGETHER

Pro sports patch news, with a big assist from dealer Murf Denny:

After two games of wearing black shoulder strap bands, the Bulls have replaced the bands with a right jersey front patch, using Bulls team colors, eulogizing both Norm Van Lier (2) and Johnny Kerr (Red). The strap bands were limited to 2 games usage (one home, one road).

Among patches to be worn in MLB during 2009 are the following:

Twins: Final season at the Metrodome (NOT 40th Anniversary, as earlier reported, as the dome was opened in the early 1980s).
Padres and Royals: Team 40th Anniversary patches.
Cardinals: Host city, 2009 All-Star Game
Mets and Yankees: Inaugural season at their respective new stadiums.

HOCKEY AND BASEBALL BIDDING

MLB.com is auctioning more Rangers and Braves gamers, as well as a number of Yankees BP tops. The Texas threads begin closing at 7PM CST tonight; the Atlanta apparel at the same time Monday evening, and the Yanks wearables at 7PM CST on Wednesday.

Over in the NHL, the league website (www.nhl.com) has a number of goodies closing up beginning at 8PM CST on March 12th. Up for bids are Rangers sweaters from Andy Bathgate/Harry Howell Night; Doug Gilmour tribute night Maple Leafs jerseys, and V2 Blues gamers.

ZO’S 33…NO MO’

On March 30th, the Miami Heat will hold a halftime ceremony to retire the #33 jersey worn by Alonzo Mourning. Mourning had a solid career that was interrupted by kidney disease, with a comeback that included a NBA Championship ring with the Heat as Shaquille O’Neal’s backup at center.

OBITUARIES

Tom Sturdivant, a MLB pitcher who played for 7 different teams from 1955-64, passed away February 28. Sturdivant, 78 at time of death, is best remembered for his 5 seasons (1955-59) with the New York Yankees.

One of the oldest living Negro Leaguers, Curtis “Bingo” Lloyd, passed away late last month at age 99.

George McAfee, Pro Football Hall of Famer, died March 4th at age 90. McAfee played for the Chicago Bears from 1940-41 and 1945-50, serving the three years in between as a member of the U.S. Navy. Drafted from Duke by the Eagles, and immediately dealt to the Bears, McAfee was part of three NFL Championship Bears squads, and had his jersey number 5 retired by the team.

Although athlete spouses rarely make this section, one shall do so here. Colleen Howe, the wife of NHL legend Gordie Howe, died on the 5th due to the effects of Pick’s disease. She was 76. Mrs. Howe acted as her husband’s business manager for much of his career and for his retirement, with her accomplishments including arranging the deal that allowed Gordie to join his sons Mark and Marty with the defunct WHA Houston Aeros.

T.O. IS AVAILABLE…DIVA OR GAME-BREAKING RECEIVER?

ADDITIONAL ONE-AND-DONES

Here’s some more single game jerseys, as well as corrections to one of last week’s entries.

NBA: This season’s addition to the one-game genre were the Christmas Day gamers worn during all but one December 25th game. Special tagging and a snowflake design behind the NBA logo mark this gamer’s uniqueness. This inaugural event was not employed, however, during the Cavs-Wizards game, as the Cavs unies were not properly color-matched to a shoe design Lebron James wore for the game; hence, these were never worn.

Of course, there have been Valentine’s Day uniforms worn by a few teams on or around February 14th (though not in 2009, as that was the All-Star break). The Bulls, Knicks, and one or two others have worn St. Patrick’s Day green uniforms for games on or near March 17th, taking a page from the MLB playbook.

PATCH ADDITIONS

Adding a special patch to a game jersey has been done in other sports, as well. Baseball has gone that route with MDA (Mets), AIDS ribbons (Giants), RICOH and other Japanese-themed logos for Opening Day games in Japan (Yankees and Devil Rays and others), and the Salvation Army patches worn by the Yankees after Hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast in 2005..

.

NFL and NBA unies for games in Europe, Canada and Mexico, both preseason and regular season, have marked the attire worn in those events for a number of years, and in the NHL, special sweaters featuring tribute patches to ex-players having special ceremonies before or during a given game have been popping up in the past couple of years, with examples being for Adam Graces (Rangers) and Wendel Clark (Maple Leafs)

Jeff Scott, well-known Cardinals bat expert and collector, mentions a 1999 Rawlings-made red game jersey worn for a MDA promotion. The Cards had an in-park event regarding muscular dystrophy on April 11 of that year, and Jeff has been trying to confirm that as the exact date through team contacts. The date is an oddity, given that the Mets MDA events always centered on Labor Day, in tandem with Jerry Lewis’ TV telethons.

Nick DiSalvo reminded me of the end-of-spring training Civil Rights Game unies of 2007 (Cardinals and Indians) and 2008 (Mets and White Sox). The 2009 game is in June between the Chisox and Cincinnati.

Finally, some corrections and clarifications on Red Sox items mentioned last time out, courtesy of Eric Atkinson. The gold-trimmed Red Sox unies, with a 2004 World Champs sleeve patch, were worn for the Opening Day pregame ring ceremony. The game itself had a different run of threads; patch intact but gold trim not present. Both were shelved after the home opener. Thanks Eric.

The green Bosox BPs were worn in both 2007 and 2008. The 2007 version (Majestic 0062) were, indeed, worn for a Red Auerbach tribute, but not with an Auerbach memoriam emblem. Instead, these bore a VT patch for the recent Virginia Tech shooting tragedy. The greens were also used in 2008 (Majestic 0068) for a tribute to the 2007-08 NBA Champion Celtics. Thanks to all three of these hobbyists/gentlemen for their input.

NBA NOTES

As expected, the Utah Jazz have, indeed, added a jersey patch to remember recently deceased team owner Larry H. Miller. The patch is in the form of the original Jazz logo (song note), purple with white trim and small swatches of green and orange on the basketball panels in the bottom of the song note. The top, horizontal portion of the logo has his initials, LHM, added in white.

Krypto-Nate? One of the items associated with Nate Robertson’s Slam Dunk Contest victory on All-Star Weekend is off the hobby market, but another is in play. Robertson wore a St. Patrick’s Day Knicks jersey, which, after he won, was given to spectator, actor, and huge hoops fan Will Ferrell. However, the green Spalding basketball he used is up for bids on www.nba.com . The green-hued game sphere is up for bids until 5PM CST on March 12.

DID YOU KNOW?…

…that, although Russell’s stint as an official MLB uniform supplier began in 1992, that Russell supplied some BP jerseys to the Braves in 1991? Or that a handful of test/tryout uniforms were also made in 1991 for a small group of players, such as Bobby Bonilla (Pirates) and Jack Morris (Twins)?

NEW DUDS FOR NEW YORK

Pictures from 2009 Spring Training in Florida show a new road BP jersey design for the New York Yankees. The new design has a white with grey trim NEW YORK on the front, and a larger, thicker, similarly colored number on the back.

THURSDAY TRAGEDY

This past Thursday, the NBA Chicago Bulls, in a span of under 12 hours, lost two of their most popular team figures in the club’s history; one to prostate cancer, the other to still undetermined causes.

Early afternoon saw the passing of Norm Van Lier, who spent nearly 7 of his 10 NBA playing seasons with the Bulls. Van Lier, who also spent time with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in his career, was found in his apartment early Thursday afternoon, not responding to efforts to revive him. He was 61.

Before the stroke of midnight, death also claimed the cancer-stricken Kerr, who was age 76. Kerr played 12 seasons inn the Association, 11 of which were with the Syracuse Nats/Philadelphia 76ers, with his final go-round in 1965-66 with the Baltimore Bullets. He immediately turned to coaching, taking the reins of Chicago’s first year expansion team, and guiding it to the playoffs in its inaugural season…a feat never before accomplished in the major sports leagues. The Bulls also made the postseason in his second and final season as head coach, after which he also became the first-ever court boss of the expansion Phoenix Suns, but without the same success. He was fired during the 1969-70 season, and soon thereafter became a highly popular broadcaster with the Bulls.

The previous Thursday had it’s share of gloom, as well, insofar as Chicago pro athletes were concerned, as Chet Bulger, a 9-year NFL tackle, died from natural causes at age 91. He played all but his last season with the Chicago Cardinals, including the 1944 campaign, when the Cardinals and Steelers undertook a one-year wartime merger, calling themselves Card-Pitt. He was part of the 1947 NFL Championship Cardinals team, and spent his final year (1950) with the Lions.

THE WBC IS COMING…WILL YOU BE WATCHING?

ADDITIONAL ONE-AND-DONES

Here’s some more single game jerseys, as well as corrections to one of last week’s entries.

NBA: This season’s addition to the one-game genre were the Christmas Day gamers worn during all but one December 25th game. Special tagging and a snowflake design behind the NBA logo mark this gamer’s uniqueness. This inaugural event was not employed, however, during the Cavs-Wizards game, as the Cavs unies were not properly color-matched to a shoe design Lebron James wore for the game; hence, these were never worn.

Of course, there have been Valentine’s Day uniforms worn by a few teams on or around February 14th (though not in 2009, as that was the All-Star break). The Bulls, Knicks, and one or two others have worn St. Patrick’s Day green uniforms for games on or near March 17th, taking a page from the MLB playbook.

PATCH ADDITIONS

Adding a special patch to a game jersey has been done in other sports, as well. Baseball has gone that route with MDA (Mets), AIDS ribbons (Giants), RICOH and other Japanese-themed logos for Opening Day games in Japan (Yankees and Devil Rays and others), and the Salvation Army patches worn by the Yankees after Hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast in 2005..

.

NFL and NBA unies for games in Europe, Canada and Mexico, both preseason and regular season, have marked the attire worn in those events for a number of years, and in the NHL, special sweaters featuring tribute patches to ex-players having special ceremonies before or during a given game have been popping up in the past couple of years, with examples being for Adam Graces (Rangers) and Wendel Clark (Maple Leafs)

Jeff Scott, well-known Cardinals bat expert and collector, mentions a 1999 Rawlings-made red game jersey worn for a MDA promotion. The Cards had an in-park event regarding muscular dystrophy on April 11 of that year, and Jeff has been trying to confirm that as the exact date through team contacts. The date is an oddity, given that the Mets MDA events always centered on Labor Day, in tandem with Jerry Lewis’ TV telethons.

Nick DiSalvo reminded me of the end-of-spring training Civil Rights Game unies of 2007 (Cardinals and Indians) and 2008 (Mets and White Sox). The 2009 game is in June between the Chisox and Cincinnati.

Finally, some corrections and clarifications on Red Sox items mentioned last time out, courtesy of Eric Atkinson. The gold-trimmed Red Sox unies, with a 2004 World Champs sleeve patch, were worn for the Opening Day pregame ring ceremony. The game itself had a different run of threads; patch intact but gold trim not present. Both were shelved after the home opener. Thanks Eric.

The green Bosox BPs were worn in both 2007 and 2008. The 2007 version (Majestic 0062) were, indeed, worn for a Red Auerbach tribute, but not with an Auerbach memoriam emblem. Instead, these bore a VT patch for the recent Virginia Tech shooting tragedy. The greens were also used in 2008 (Majestic 0068) for a tribute to the 2007-08 NBA Champion Celtics. Thanks to all three of these hobbyists/gentlemen for their input.

NBA NOTES

As expected, the Utah Jazz have, indeed, added a jersey patch to remember recently deceased team owner Larry H. Miller. The patch is in the form of the original Jazz logo (song note), purple with white trim and small swatches of green and orange on the basketball panels in the bottom of the song note. The top, horizontal portion of the logo has his initials, LHM, added in white.

Krypto-Nate? One of the items associated with Nate Robertson’s Slam Dunk Contest victory on All-Star Weekend is off the hobby market, but another is in play. Robertson wore a St. Patrick’s Day Knicks jersey, which, after he won, was given to spectator, actor, and huge hoops fan Will Ferrell. However, the green Spalding basketball he used is up for bids on www.nba.com . The green-hued game sphere is up for bids until 5PM CST on March 12.

DID YOU KNOW?…

…that, although Russell’s stint as an official MLB uniform supplier began in 1992, that Russell supplied some BP jerseys to the Braves in 1991? Or that a handful of test/tryout uniforms were also made in 1991 for a small group of players, such as Bobby Bonilla (Pirates) and Jack Morris (Twins)?

NEW DUDS FOR NEW YORK

Pictures from 2009 Spring Training in Florida show a new road BP jersey design for the New York Yankees. The new design has a white with grey trim NEW YORK on the front, and a larger, thicker, similarly colored number on the back.

THURSDAY TRAGEDY

This past Thursday, the NBA Chicago Bulls, in a span of under 12 hours, lost two of their most popular team figures in the club’s history; one to prostate cancer, the other to still undetermined causes.

Early afternoon saw the passing of Norm Van Lier, who spent nearly 7 of his 10 NBA playing seasons with the Bulls. Van Lier, who also spent time with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in his career, was found in his apartment early Thursday afternoon, not responding to efforts to revive him. He was 61.

Before the stroke of midnight, death also claimed the cancer-stricken Kerr, who was age 76. Kerr played 12 seasons inn the Association, 11 of which were with the Syracuse Nats/Philadelphia 76ers, with his final go-round in 1965-66 with the Baltimore Bullets. He immediately turned to coaching, taking the reins of Chicago’s first year expansion team, and guiding it to the playoffs in its inaugural season…a feat never before accomplished in the major sports leagues. The Bulls also made the postseason in his second and final season as head coach, after which he also became the first-ever court boss of the expansion Phoenix Suns, but without the same success. He was fired during the 1969-70 season, and soon thereafter became a highly popular broadcaster with the Bulls.

The previous Thursday had it’s share of gloom, as well, insofar as Chicago pro athletes were concerned, as Chet Bulger, a 9-year NFL tackle, died from natural causes at age 91. He played all but his last season with the Chicago Cardinals, including the 1944 campaign, when the Cardinals and Steelers undertook a one-year wartime merger, calling themselves Card-Pitt. He was part of the 1947 NFL Championship Cardinals team, and spent his final year (1950) with the Lions.

THE WBC IS COMING…WILL YOU BE WATCHING?

MORE ON NOW-YOU-SEE-‘EM, NOW-YOU-DON’T STYLES

Part two begins:

Cubs Blue Alternates: This color/style has had a rocky history at times at the Unfriendly Confines. Twice, blue game jerseys were ordered, but never worn (1994 by Russell, due to the strike, and 2007 Majestic, due to orders from John McDonough of the front office). The 1997 season found blue alternates worn…but only twice. They were broken out in Florida for a game the Cubs won, worn again the next day for a Cubs loss, and then retired. Unlike most Cubs jerseys by Russell, there was no collar strip tagging in most of these…just a blue 1 or 2 written on the Russell label to identify a set number.

Blue Jays Canada Day: I recall these going back to 1997, although it’s possible these were used before that. Basically, the jersey design is akin to the normal Toronto attire, but colored bright red as opposed to the standard white, gray, or blue. The backs feature a nameplate of CANADA as opposed to the player name. They’re nice, and not terribly easy to find.

Hispanic Heritage Jerseys: The San Francisco Giants opened this door in 2005, wearing a home white jersey with the front reading the Spanish “GIGANTES” as part of a tribute weekend to former Giant superstar and HoFer Juan Marichal. The theme was picked up by several other clubs since then for Hispanic Night promotions, including the Mets (Los Mets), Arizona (Los D-Backs), Seattle (Marineros) and Milwaukee (Cerveceros).

Military jerseys: The camouflage look was first worn by The Padres circa 2000-01, and has become an annual tradition in Padre Land. Other teams, such as the White Sox, have copied the idea once or twice, but not on a regular basis.

Opening Day Gold: In 2007, the previous year’s World Champions (St. Louis) wore a home opener jersey that was the same as the standard home whites, except for gold trim outlining the logos, names and numbers on the jersey. I think the Red Sox may have done this last year, as well, but cannot recall…Justin, can you confirm this for me?

Red Sox Auerbach Tribute: While Boston used the normal green BPs teams employ for St. Patrick’s Day, a night in April at Fenway Park found green BP-style jerseys being worn again, this time with a tribute patch for legendary Celtics great Red Auerbach, who had died some weeks before.

If I missed any non-TBTC jerseys that fit this description in MLB, please email me at sox83cubs84@hotmai.com for inclusion next week. In
part three will employ some of the unique designs worn in other sports. Be there!

IN THE BEGINNING, LASTINGS MILLEDGE WORE #44…

…but then he decided to give it, no strings attached, to new Nationals acquisition Adam Dunn, who wore #44 with the Reds. The transaction was basically a gift, with no details of a monetary or merchandise reward being given to the young former Met, unlike many occasions when a new player wants a number already spoken for by a new teammate. Milledge is taking the unusual number 85, as a remembrance of his year of birth.

NHL/NBA/NCAA NUMBERS GAME

Several uniform retirements have been made or announced to be made in the past couple of weeks. For a recap, read on…

In NCAA hoops, the Texas Longhorns will retire the #35 jersey worn by Kevin Durant in ceremonies at the February 28th game.

In the NHL, meanwhile, Glen Wesley, the last original Carolina Hurricane (after the team headed south from Hartford) had his #2 sweater retired on February 17.

NBA activities saw a number retirement ceremony in Sacramento on February 6 (Chris Webber), and a missing logo on Allan Iverson’s NBA All-Star Game jersey, based on an action photo for the game on NBA.com. The Adidas insignia did not appear on his shirt in the photo, although I’m not certain if the All-Stars wore more than one jersey in that event. No reason given as to why, so it’s one of three possibilities as to why: 1) A boo-boo by Adidas; 2)
No Adidas logo because his jersey was ordered from another supplier (not likely, though, as the Adidas emblem is visible on his trunks in the same photo); or 3) A very poorly publicized missing logo contest along the lines of the Reebok promotion for the NHL Winter Classic. Personally, I’ll take Door Number One.

OF STEELERS AND STARS

Hey…once in a while I want to title this section with something other than “Auction Action”. First off, the final tally on Santonio Holmes’ Super Bowl-winning TD catch for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation ended up at $7,020.

In the NBA, the league website auction is now carrying game-worn jerseys from the All-Star Game and the Rookies/Sophomores Game recently completed. All have MeiGray registration and tagging, and bidding ends on March 5th.

.

METS SNIPPETS

The Mets have announced, after the uniform sleeve patch boondoggle, that a different Citi Field Inaugural Year patch will be added to the left side of all Mets game caps in the 2009 regular season. The logo will feature the arches of the stadium’s rotunda.

OBITUARIES

Ted Uhlaender, an outfielder for Minnesota, Cleveland and Cincinnati from the mid-60’s until 1972, died of a heart attack earlier this past week. He was 68. Another one of my memorabilia swapping pals while he was an Indians coach in 2001, Uhlaender was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer over a year ago. I’ll miss this guy.

Linebacker Brad Van Pelt, a New York Giants star for 11 seasons with subsequent stints in Los Angeles with the Raiders (2 years) and his final season being in Cleveland, also fell victim to a heart attack. Age 57 when he passed away, Van Pelt may well have been the last player in the NFL to get away with snubbing the league’s strict rules regarding jersey numbers and player positions. Having also been a kicker in college, Van Pelt sought for a way to allow him to keep his jersey #10 in the NFL, where linebackers are only allowed numbers in the 50s and 60s. The Giants submitted their roster to the NFL citing Van Pelt as a kicker “who also happened to play linebacker”.

Mike Whitemarsh, a silver medalist in men’s beach volleyball at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, took his own life at age 46. He was found in a neighbor’s garage, having taken his own life via carbon monoxide poisoning.

Closing this section, Larry H. Miller, the owner of the NBA Utah Jazz, died Friday as a result of complications from type 2 diabetes. The 64-year old Ute also owned the PCL Salt Lake Bees. Word of any memoriam to be added to either team’s uniform will be reported in the next edition of the Shirt.

MAN UP, A-ROD…YOU’VE GOT A LOT MORE EXPLAINING TO DO!!

MORE ON NOW-YOU-SEE-‘EM, NOW-YOU-DON’T STYLES

Part two begins:

Cubs Blue Alternates: This color/style has had a rocky history at times at the Unfriendly Confines. Twice, blue game jerseys were ordered, but never worn (1994 by Russell, due to the strike, and 2007 Majestic, due to orders from John McDonough of the front office). The 1997 season found blue alternates worn…but only twice. They were broken out in Florida for a game the Cubs won, worn again the next day for a Cubs loss, and then retired. Unlike most Cubs jerseys by Russell, there was no collar strip tagging in most of these…just a blue 1 or 2 written on the Russell label to identify a set number.

Blue Jays Canada Day: I recall these going back to 1997, although it’s possible these were used before that. Basically, the jersey design is akin to the normal Toronto attire, but colored bright red as opposed to the standard white, gray, or blue. The backs feature a nameplate of CANADA as opposed to the player name. They’re nice, and not terribly easy to find.

Hispanic Heritage Jerseys: The San Francisco Giants opened this door in 2005, wearing a home white jersey with the front reading the Spanish “GIGANTES” as part of a tribute weekend to former Giant superstar and HoFer Juan Marichal. The theme was picked up by several other clubs since then for Hispanic Night promotions, including the Mets (Los Mets), Arizona (Los D-Backs), Seattle (Marineros) and Milwaukee (Cerveceros).

Military jerseys: The camouflage look was first worn by The Padres circa 2000-01, and has become an annual tradition in Padre Land. Other teams, such as the White Sox, have copied the idea once or twice, but not on a regular basis.

Opening Day Gold: In 2007, the previous year’s World Champions (St. Louis) wore a home opener jersey that was the same as the standard home whites, except for gold trim outlining the logos, names and numbers on the jersey. I think the Red Sox may have done this last year, as well, but cannot recall…Justin, can you confirm this for me?

Red Sox Auerbach Tribute: While Boston used the normal green BPs teams employ for St. Patrick’s Day, a night in April at Fenway Park found green BP-style jerseys being worn again, this time with a tribute patch for legendary Celtics great Red Auerbach, who had died some weeks before.

If I missed any non-TBTC jerseys that fit this description in MLB, please email me at sox83cubs84@hotmai.com for inclusion next week. In
part three will employ some of the unique designs worn in other sports. Be there!

IN THE BEGINNING, LASTINGS MILLEDGE WORE #44…

…but then he decided to give it, no strings attached, to new Nationals acquisition Adam Dunn, who wore #44 with the Reds. The transaction was basically a gift, with no details of a monetary or merchandise reward being given to the young former Met, unlike many occasions when a new player wants a number already spoken for by a new teammate. Milledge is taking the unusual number 85, as a remembrance of his year of birth.

NHL/NBA/NCAA NUMBERS GAME

Several uniform retirements have been made or announced to be made in the past couple of weeks. For a recap, read on…

In NCAA hoops, the Texas Longhorns will retire the #35 jersey worn by Kevin Durant in ceremonies at the February 28th game.

In the NHL, meanwhile, Glen Wesley, the last original Carolina Hurricane (after the team headed south from Hartford) had his #2 sweater retired on February 17.

NBA activities saw a number retirement ceremony in Sacramento on February 6 (Chris Webber), and a missing logo on Allan Iverson’s NBA All-Star Game jersey, based on an action photo for the game on NBA.com. The Adidas insignia did not appear on his shirt in the photo, although I’m not certain if the All-Stars wore more than one jersey in that event. No reason given as to why, so it’s one of three possibilities as to why: 1) A boo-boo by Adidas; 2)
No Adidas logo because his jersey was ordered from another supplier (not likely, though, as the Adidas emblem is visible on his trunks in the same photo); or 3) A very poorly publicized missing logo contest along the lines of the Reebok promotion for the NHL Winter Classic. Personally, I’ll take Door Number One.

OF STEELERS AND STARS

Hey…once in a while I want to title this section with something other than “Auction Action”. First off, the final tally on Santonio Holmes’ Super Bowl-winning TD catch for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation ended up at $7,020.

In the NBA, the league website auction is now carrying game-worn jerseys from the All-Star Game and the Rookies/Sophomores Game recently completed. All have MeiGray registration and tagging, and bidding ends on March 5th.

.

METS SNIPPETS

The Mets have announced, after the uniform sleeve patch boondoggle, that a different Citi Field Inaugural Year patch will be added to the left side of all Mets game caps in the 2009 regular season. The logo will feature the arches of the stadium’s rotunda.

OBITUARIES

Ted Uhlaender, an outfielder for Minnesota, Cleveland and Cincinnati from the mid-60’s until 1972, died of a heart attack earlier this past week. He was 68. Another one of my memorabilia swapping pals while he was an Indians coach in 2001, Uhlaender was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer over a year ago. I’ll miss this guy.

Linebacker Brad Van Pelt, a New York Giants star for 11 seasons with subsequent stints in Los Angeles with the Raiders (2 years) and his final season being in Cleveland, also fell victim to a heart attack. Age 57 when he passed away, Van Pelt may well have been the last player in the NFL to get away with snubbing the league’s strict rules regarding jersey numbers and player positions. Having also been a kicker in college, Van Pelt sought for a way to allow him to keep his jersey #10 in the NFL, where linebackers are only allowed numbers in the 50s and 60s. The Giants submitted their roster to the NFL citing Van Pelt as a kicker “who also happened to play linebacker”.

Mike Whitemarsh, a silver medalist in men’s beach volleyball at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, took his own life at age 46. He was found in a neighbor’s garage, having taken his own life via carbon monoxide poisoning.

Closing this section, Larry H. Miller, the owner of the NBA Utah Jazz, died Friday as a result of complications from type 2 diabetes. The 64-year old Ute also owned the PCL Salt Lake Bees. Word of any memoriam to be added to either team’s uniform will be reported in the next edition of the Shirt.

MAN UP, A-ROD…YOU’VE GOT A LOT MORE EXPLAINING TO DO!!

RESPONSE TO TBTC ARTICLES

There were a few thoughts shared on the loved and loathed retro style worn over the years. One Cardinals fan weighed in on a particular liked and disliked styles worn by hsi favorite team.

On his good side are the 1944 TBTC’s worn at home against Baltimore, who wore Browns TBTCs, in 2003. Apparently, Liebe Co. of St. Louis, long a Cardinals local supplier, did the lettering, and went to the original templates for font designs. My own favorite touch: the retro WW2 patch on the left sleeve.

Meanwhile, his loathing was reserved for a recent version of the 1982 Cardinals powder blues, trotted out for a 1982-themed series with the Brewers. Among the faults he noted: Current, rather than vintage, NOB and number fonts, sleeve trim far larger than the original Rawlings designs, and, worst of all (this makes me retch, too), the Birds-on-Bat logo was a sewn-on PATCH, not the fancy and quality embroidery the Redbirds have used for decades. No disagreements from me on either one.

Other plusses (+) and minuses from this standpoint:

2007 Marlins TBTC 1997 (-): It’s not so much the design, as that era Marlins unies were fine. The difference between then and now, however, other than fancier and more colorful lettering and logos today, are almost nil. Plus, 10 years really doesn’t strike me as “Turning Back the Clock” very much.

1991 Reds TBTC 1961 (+): The yin to the yang of the Phillies retros mentioned last time out, Rawlings did a nice job of recreating the ’61 NL Champs road look, originals by MacGregor.

1994-95 White Sox TBTC 1964 (+) and (-); The 1964 home retros, made, as were the originals, by Wilson, had a rocky road before their usage. The original game for these to be used in was wiped out due to the 1994 strike. The jerseys were put away for the short term, brought out again and worn in 1995. The acquisition of several new players for ’95 resulted in two distinctly variant numeric fonts, and tagging was removed from most of the original 1994 editions. Still, the style is a winner, and, in an exception to my usual distaste for items added or subtracted that differ from the originals, the winged sock patch on the left sleeve was a nice touch.

AUCTION ACTION

MLB Auctions at mlb.com will have a small number of jerseys ending today, including recent gamers of the Rangers, Mets and Braves

NHL.com has auctions of first period AHL All-Star Game jerseys (Canada vs. Planet USA) and the NHL All-Star Game (East vs. West) up for auction with a February 12th closing, beginning at 8PM CST. All of the above are catalogued in the MeiGray database, and the funds from the NHL gamers will go to Hockey Fights Cancer.

Meanwhile, Octagon Sports, relatively new to the field of big-ticket sports items, has been selected to auction and sell the remaining items in the collection of the late heavyweight boxer, Gene Tunney. Details will follow.

DID YOU KNOW…

That the 1969 Cleveland Indians were the first team to wear the MLB 100th Anniversary patch, doing so on their spring training vest flannels?

EBAY ODDITIES

One off the wall listing and one poorly duplicated BP jersey top the head-scratchers on the Bay this week.

One seller advertised, at least in his headline description, a “game used Aramis Ramirez” Pirates BP jersey. The full-length description didn’t add anything to the “game-used” claim, but the jersey was a clunker…a Pirates post-1999 BP with retail tagging, and, worst of all, a WHITE number and NOB (the team uses yellow for these elements). Even more odd…someone actually bid on this failing grade creation.

Then, in a “now I’ve seen everything” headline listing, a Baltimore-area seller, perhaps trying to get new viewers for his auction, or maybe just one of millions that were swept away in Inauguration Day mania, advertised a Javier Lopez bat, unused, of the OBAMA Braves! To me, the insertion of the president’s name was gratuitous, at best, and downright ridiculous, at worst. After all, how many people who collect Barack Obama memorabilia would want to bid on a bat that was likely never within several miles or more of Obama himself, much less swung, used or owned by him? The Obama mention didn’t seem to help the seller to any notable degree, as the bat ended at the $19.99 minimum, even with the dubious link to the 44th president.

OBITUARY

Ralph Kaplowitz, a guard in the early days of the NBA, passed away from kidney failure at age 89. Kaplowitz spent two seasons (1946-47 and 1947-48) in the NBA, with stops in New York and Philadelphia.

CONGRATULATIONS TO PAT SUMMITT AND HER 1000TH COACHING VICTORY

RESPONSE TO TBTC ARTICLES

There were a few thoughts shared on the loved and loathed retro style worn over the years. One Cardinals fan weighed in on a particular liked and disliked styles worn by hsi favorite team.

On his good side are the 1944 TBTC’s worn at home against Baltimore, who wore Browns TBTCs, in 2003. Apparently, Liebe Co. of St. Louis, long a Cardinals local supplier, did the lettering, and went to the original templates for font designs. My own favorite touch: the retro WW2 patch on the left sleeve.

Meanwhile, his loathing was reserved for a recent version of the 1982 Cardinals powder blues, trotted out for a 1982-themed series with the Brewers. Among the faults he noted: Current, rather than vintage, NOB and number fonts, sleeve trim far larger than the original Rawlings designs, and, worst of all (this makes me retch, too), the Birds-on-Bat logo was a sewn-on PATCH, not the fancy and quality embroidery the Redbirds have used for decades. No disagreements from me on either one.

Other plusses (+) and minuses from this standpoint:

2007 Marlins TBTC 1997 (-): It’s not so much the design, as that era Marlins unies were fine. The difference between then and now, however, other than fancier and more colorful lettering and logos today, are almost nil. Plus, 10 years really doesn’t strike me as “Turning Back the Clock” very much.

1991 Reds TBTC 1961 (+): The yin to the yang of the Phillies retros mentioned last time out, Rawlings did a nice job of recreating the ’61 NL Champs road look, originals by MacGregor.

1994-95 White Sox TBTC 1964 (+) and (-); The 1964 home retros, made, as were the originals, by Wilson, had a rocky road before their usage. The original game for these to be used in was wiped out due to the 1994 strike. The jerseys were put away for the short term, brought out again and worn in 1995. The acquisition of several new players for ’95 resulted in two distinctly variant numeric fonts, and tagging was removed from most of the original 1994 editions. Still, the style is a winner, and, in an exception to my usual distaste for items added or subtracted that differ from the originals, the winged sock patch on the left sleeve was a nice touch.

AUCTION ACTION

MLB Auctions at mlb.com will have a small number of jerseys ending today, including recent gamers of the Rangers, Mets and Braves

NHL.com has auctions of first period AHL All-Star Game jerseys (Canada vs. Planet USA) and the NHL All-Star Game (East vs. West) up for auction with a February 12th closing, beginning at 8PM CST. All of the above are catalogued in the MeiGray database, and the funds from the NHL gamers will go to Hockey Fights Cancer.

Meanwhile, Octagon Sports, relatively new to the field of big-ticket sports items, has been selected to auction and sell the remaining items in the collection of the late heavyweight boxer, Gene Tunney. Details will follow.

DID YOU KNOW…

That the 1969 Cleveland Indians were the first team to wear the MLB 100th Anniversary patch, doing so on their spring training vest flannels?

EBAY ODDITIES

One off the wall listing and one poorly duplicated BP jersey top the head-scratchers on the Bay this week.

One seller advertised, at least in his headline description, a “game used Aramis Ramirez” Pirates BP jersey. The full-length description didn’t add anything to the “game-used” claim, but the jersey was a clunker…a Pirates post-1999 BP with retail tagging, and, worst of all, a WHITE number and NOB (the team uses yellow for these elements). Even more odd…someone actually bid on this failing grade creation.

Then, in a “now I’ve seen everything” headline listing, a Baltimore-area seller, perhaps trying to get new viewers for his auction, or maybe just one of millions that were swept away in Inauguration Day mania, advertised a Javier Lopez bat, unused, of the OBAMA Braves! To me, the insertion of the president’s name was gratuitous, at best, and downright ridiculous, at worst. After all, how many people who collect Barack Obama memorabilia would want to bid on a bat that was likely never within several miles or more of Obama himself, much less swung, used or owned by him? The Obama mention didn’t seem to help the seller to any notable degree, as the bat ended at the $19.99 minimum, even with the dubious link to the 44th president.

OBITUARY

Ralph Kaplowitz, a guard in the early days of the NBA, passed away from kidney failure at age 89. Kaplowitz spent two seasons (1946-47 and 1947-48) in the NBA, with stops in New York and Philadelphia.

CONGRATULATIONS TO PAT SUMMITT AND HER 1000TH COACHING VICTORY

FIVE (ACTUALLY 7) RETROS I LIKE

While I will save the comments, pro and con, for next time, I will take this opportunity to list my 1 through 5 (in no particular order) Turn Back The Clock MLB uniform designs. Two of the entries will be pairings from the same event…that’s where the 7 comes from. Here goes…

1964 Cardinals/Browns 1944 OTG flannels: The 20th Anniversary of the only city World Series the Gateway City ever saw, or will see, found the gathering of 1944 Cardinals and Browns clad in flannels styled after their uniforms of the day. Rawlings made both teams’ unies, and detailed tagging on a par with the originals, coupled with spot-on attention to detail in the respective designs, make these among my all-time retro favorites.

1990 White Sox 1917 home design: These turned out nicely for a game that wasn’t even on the original schedule. The White Sox needed to host the Brewers to make up a rained out spring contest, and, with the All-Star Game across town in Wrigley Field, the Sox decided to add the make-up game the day after, and had other 1917 promotions (such as lineups and batters being announced by megaphone) besides the Pale Hose threads. Rawlings made these, and the often-used habit of ordering two sets…one for the game, one for the players to keep…was started here. The full uniforms in the immediately following years were garnering over $1,000 each in auctions, although I’ve not seen any transact lately to determine how much (if any) prices have dropped.

1991 Phillies 1961 home design: Rawlings got around in those days, as this uniform was also their work. The jerseys were exact replicas of the ’61 club’s garb, and was well-received to the point that, when Russell took over in 1992, the Phillies made this design their regular home attire, a move still intact in 2009. Also, for trivia’s sake, both of these designs (Phils and White Sox) employed the wider red Rawlings manufacturer’s label that became the standard for Rawlings in their 1992-94 MLB knits (Cardinals, Dodgers, Pirates).

1997 White Sox and Cubs c.1910 designs: The oldies but goodies in this game (white for the Sox, dark blue for the Cubs) were part of the first ever interleague regular season game between the two clubs, as opposed to the exhibitions held on and off over the previous decades. Wilson made them both, detailed tagging was a part of the mix, and the game itself (at New Comiskey Park) was won by the Cubs…what more could I ask for?

1999 Brewers 1969 Seattle Pilots home: Anything worn by the one-year expansion Pilots (who changed cities and team ID during spring training of 1970) is game-used hobby magic, and, with the quality and accurate design (the opposite of the inaccurate travesties the White Sox wore in the same game), the regular season home design of the Brewers’ forerunners was a winner. One food stand at Miller Park identified with Gorman Thomas even has a specially made Pilots TBTC shirt of Stormin’ Gorman hanging on the back wall.

NBA JERSEY NOTES

The New Orleans Hornets again broke out Hardwood Classics uniforms, replicating the old ABA New Orleans Bucs on January 28th.

NHL JERSEY RETIREMENTS AND AUCTIONS

Two of these are due this week. Today, Sunday, the Edmonton Oilers will retire the #9 worn by Glenn Anderson. Number nine will also be retired on Tuesday, at Madison Square Garden, as the New York Rangers recognize Adam Graves.

Also, with cooperation from MeiGray, the second period sweaters of the players involved in the NHL All-Star Game nine days ago are available for bidding on both nhl.com and nhlpa.com . Proceeds will go to the league’s pet charity, Hockey Fights Cancer. Bidding is active now, and will run until 8PM CST on February 12.

DID YOU KNOW?…

That the Chicago Cubs, in 1979, used the first logo or patch on an MLB uniform that carried a registered trademark symbol with a team logo? In this case, it was the large, round CUBS crest on the jersey front, a practice still in use 30 years later.

NEW 2009 MLB UNIFORM STYLES

Both the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates will introduce new field attire this coming season. The Rangers will sport 4 styles, the traditional home and road, a blue alternate to be worn both at home and on the road, and a red alternate for selected home games. The fronts on all will be TEXAS, with uniform and piping colors, depending on the style, including white, red, blue and grey.

The Pirates have dropped red as a secondary uniform color, meaning the red alternates so popular during their brief usage are now history. The new alternate jersey will be the already used black hue the Bucs first introduced in 1997, although design elements on the current black garb will be different. The team will have only one vest shirt, the Sunday home pinstriped design, with the standard home whites and road grays shedding the vest look and returning to the use of sleeves.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT IN 2 WEEKS…HALLELUJAH!!

FIVE (ACTUALLY 7) RETROS I LIKE

While I will save the comments, pro and con, for next time, I will take this opportunity to list my 1 through 5 (in no particular order) Turn Back The Clock MLB uniform designs. Two of the entries will be pairings from the same event…that’s where the 7 comes from. Here goes…

1964 Cardinals/Browns 1944 OTG flannels: The 20th Anniversary of the only city World Series the Gateway City ever saw, or will see, found the gathering of 1944 Cardinals and Browns clad in flannels styled after their uniforms of the day. Rawlings made both teams’ unies, and detailed tagging on a par with the originals, coupled with spot-on attention to detail in the respective designs, make these among my all-time retro favorites.

1990 White Sox 1917 home design: These turned out nicely for a game that wasn’t even on the original schedule. The White Sox needed to host the Brewers to make up a rained out spring contest, and, with the All-Star Game across town in Wrigley Field, the Sox decided to add the make-up game the day after, and had other 1917 promotions (such as lineups and batters being announced by megaphone) besides the Pale Hose threads. Rawlings made these, and the often-used habit of ordering two sets…one for the game, one for the players to keep…was started here. The full uniforms in the immediately following years were garnering over $1,000 each in auctions, although I’ve not seen any transact lately to determine how much (if any) prices have dropped.

1991 Phillies 1961 home design: Rawlings got around in those days, as this uniform was also their work. The jerseys were exact replicas of the ’61 club’s garb, and was well-received to the point that, when Russell took over in 1992, the Phillies made this design their regular home attire, a move still intact in 2009. Also, for trivia’s sake, both of these designs (Phils and White Sox) employed the wider red Rawlings manufacturer’s label that became the standard for Rawlings in their 1992-94 MLB knits (Cardinals, Dodgers, Pirates).

1997 White Sox and Cubs c.1910 designs: The oldies but goodies in this game (white for the Sox, dark blue for the Cubs) were part of the first ever interleague regular season game between the two clubs, as opposed to the exhibitions held on and off over the previous decades. Wilson made them both, detailed tagging was a part of the mix, and the game itself (at New Comiskey Park) was won by the Cubs…what more could I ask for?

1999 Brewers 1969 Seattle Pilots home: Anything worn by the one-year expansion Pilots (who changed cities and team ID during spring training of 1970) is game-used hobby magic, and, with the quality and accurate design (the opposite of the inaccurate travesties the White Sox wore in the same game), the regular season home design of the Brewers’ forerunners was a winner. One food stand at Miller Park identified with Gorman Thomas even has a specially made Pilots TBTC shirt of Stormin’ Gorman hanging on the back wall.

NBA JERSEY NOTES

The New Orleans Hornets again broke out Hardwood Classics uniforms, replicating the old ABA New Orleans Bucs on January 28th.

NHL JERSEY RETIREMENTS AND AUCTIONS

Two of these are due this week. Today, Sunday, the Edmonton Oilers will retire the #9 worn by Glenn Anderson. Number nine will also be retired on Tuesday, at Madison Square Garden, as the New York Rangers recognize Adam Graves.

Also, with cooperation from MeiGray, the second period sweaters of the players involved in the NHL All-Star Game nine days ago are available for bidding on both nhl.com and nhlpa.com . Proceeds will go to the league’s pet charity, Hockey Fights Cancer. Bidding is active now, and will run until 8PM CST on February 12.

DID YOU KNOW?…

That the Chicago Cubs, in 1979, used the first logo or patch on an MLB uniform that carried a registered trademark symbol with a team logo? In this case, it was the large, round CUBS crest on the jersey front, a practice still in use 30 years later.

NEW 2009 MLB UNIFORM STYLES

Both the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates will introduce new field attire this coming season. The Rangers will sport 4 styles, the traditional home and road, a blue alternate to be worn both at home and on the road, and a red alternate for selected home games. The fronts on all will be TEXAS, with uniform and piping colors, depending on the style, including white, red, blue and grey.

The Pirates have dropped red as a secondary uniform color, meaning the red alternates so popular during their brief usage are now history. The new alternate jersey will be the already used black hue the Bucs first introduced in 1997, although design elements on the current black garb will be different. The team will have only one vest shirt, the Sunday home pinstriped design, with the standard home whites and road grays shedding the vest look and returning to the use of sleeves.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT IN 2 WEEKS…HALLELUJAH!!

TURN BACK THE CLOCK

Since 1990, an increasing number of teams have, each year, worn uniform designs of earlier years as a game promotion, resulting for a collecting bonus for those of us who collect game-used items. Some of the Turn Back the Clock unies have been gems, while others have been duds. To begin discussion, I will share my list of the five worst TBTC unies (from my viewpoint) and encourage readers to send me their own version of Mr. Blackwell’s Worst Dressed List at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com. My selections are based on one of three criteria: lack of accuracy in reproducing the original design, redundancy of use, and lack of connection between the retro apparel and the current team wearing them. Without further ado (from oldest to most recent)…

1) 1995 Cleveland Indians red: The red color didn’t turn me off to these…I liked the circa 1975 originals Wilson made for the Tribe. What did turn me off is the lack of NOBs on the retro attire that the originals carried.

2) 1999 Chicago White Sox road: A 1969 recreation was in order at County Stadium that year as the Chisox dressed as their 1969 forerunners, while the host Brewers took on the look of the 1969 Seattle Pilots, they who would become the Brewers the following year. The Pilots duds were fine, the White Sox duds were…well, duds. The Rawlings-made unies were without the NOB the originals had, plus the reverse side numbers were the opposite of the blue with white trim numerals the old Wilson gamers employed.

3) Detroit Tigers/Stars Negro League, various years: Most Negro League TBTC uniforms are appealing, and the pinstriped gamers the Tigers used were great the first time around. Now, having been used 7 or 8 times since over the intervening years. they’ve become interminably boring. The Tigers need to find a different style, pronto.

4) 2008 Tampa Rays/Jacksonville Red Caps: With all the minor league teams and styles from Tampa and St. Petersburg that the Rays had to choose from, why did the Rays decide to wear the threads of a city a couple hundred miles northeast of them? The uniforms themselves don’t look bad, but what does Jacksonville have in common with Tampa/St. Pete, other than being in the same state?

5) 2008 Chicago Cubs home: Cubs TBTCs are rare and far between…1948 roads in 1992, 1910-era roads in 1998, and now this. Again, my gripe is not with the jerseys…they look fine. Whomever made the uniforms, however, must be colorblind…the caps are navy blue, not the royal blue the Cubbies have worn for longer than they have gone without a World Series appearance.

Readers, let me know your Turn Back the Clock turnoffs and turnons, as my next column will detail my five favorites and why.

ODD MAJESTIC TAG

I recently acquired a player-worn Rockies BP jersey of pitcher Scott Elarton. The jersey shows decent wear, is properly sized (54…measures out to a 52), and gives all indications of being a team piece. Two oddities exist, however, one addressed in a previous Shirt column, one not.

A few months back, two Rockies BPs of the post-1999 variety, a Larry Walker and a Derrick Gibson, were noted for lacking the post-1999 MLB logo on the back of the neck. Also odd (making me curious about the similar items on those two jerseys) is the code on the interior wash tag. It isn’t the pro issued 0006, nor is it the post-1996 retail 6000. Instead, it is a very unique C593. Admittedly, I have no clue as to what this code is interpreted as…any reader who does know can either e-mail me or post it on the MEARS bulletin board…more background on this would be nice to have.

RUINED JERSEY

One poor guy recently had up for auction on eBay a very poorly doctored 1989 Detroit Tigers home jersey. The seller did not quote an ID other than the extant NOB (HERNANDEZ) and made mention of what he felt (correctly) were changes on the back. The apparent status of the item was a legitimate 1989 Tigers jersey by Wilson that carried an inventory tag of “21”, and, based on a rather uneducated forger who owned the jersey before this guy did, was played with in an attempt to pass it off as a Guillermo Hernandez gamer.

Almost anyone who collects Tigers jerseys knows that the inventory numbers, introduced in the late 1970s, are not identical to the uniform numbers of the players. Add to it a smaller NOB font, a totally erroneous numeric font, and you have what was once a nice Detroit home gamer turned into something bizarre, and left with a seller who was unaware of the inherent problems.

BACK TO OLD SCHOOL

One change of note in NCAA basketball attire…the Fighting Illini have gone back to NNOB jerseys for 2008-09. Coach Bruce Weber told a local radio show that it got to the point where he felt last year that some of the players weren’t respecting the name on the front of the jersey, so he’s guiding that focus to its proper place by taking the names off the uniform backs.

OBITUARIES

Bill Werber, the oldest living MLB player, died this past Thursday at age 100. He played alongside both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an 11-year career that found him wearing the flannels of the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds, and Giants. Part of the Reds World Series teams of 1939-1940, Werber was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in 1961. In addition, Billy Werber was one of the players who provided commentary for the HBO produced “When it Was a Game” series.

Dante Lavelli, a receiver nicknamed “Glue Fingers” for his sure-handedness in catching a pass, died at age 85 of congestive heart failure. The Hall of Famer, enshrined in 1975, played for the Browns beginning in their AAFC days in 1946, and stayed with Cleveland for their move into the NFL, wearing the brown and orange through 1956.

Finally , Shane Dronett, a 10-year NFL veteran, died at age 38, the victim of a possible suicide. He began in the NFL in 1992 with Denver, and spent 4 years there, with a move to Atlanta following, where he played from 1996-2001.

GOTTA LOVE THE UNDERDOG…GO, ARIZONA!!

TURN BACK THE CLOCK

Since 1990, an increasing number of teams have, each year, worn uniform designs of earlier years as a game promotion, resulting for a collecting bonus for those of us who collect game-used items. Some of the Turn Back the Clock unies have been gems, while others have been duds. To begin discussion, I will share my list of the five worst TBTC unies (from my viewpoint) and encourage readers to send me their own version of Mr. Blackwell’s Worst Dressed List at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com. My selections are based on one of three criteria: lack of accuracy in reproducing the original design, redundancy of use, and lack of connection between the retro apparel and the current team wearing them. Without further ado (from oldest to most recent)…

1) 1995 Cleveland Indians red: The red color didn’t turn me off to these…I liked the circa 1975 originals Wilson made for the Tribe. What did turn me off is the lack of NOBs on the retro attire that the originals carried.

2) 1999 Chicago White Sox road: A 1969 recreation was in order at County Stadium that year as the Chisox dressed as their 1969 forerunners, while the host Brewers took on the look of the 1969 Seattle Pilots, they who would become the Brewers the following year. The Pilots duds were fine, the White Sox duds were…well, duds. The Rawlings-made unies were without the NOB the originals had, plus the reverse side numbers were the opposite of the blue with white trim numerals the old Wilson gamers employed.

3) Detroit Tigers/Stars Negro League, various years: Most Negro League TBTC uniforms are appealing, and the pinstriped gamers the Tigers used were great the first time around. Now, having been used 7 or 8 times since over the intervening years. they’ve become interminably boring. The Tigers need to find a different style, pronto.

4) 2008 Tampa Rays/Jacksonville Red Caps: With all the minor league teams and styles from Tampa and St. Petersburg that the Rays had to choose from, why did the Rays decide to wear the threads of a city a couple hundred miles northeast of them? The uniforms themselves don’t look bad, but what does Jacksonville have in common with Tampa/St. Pete, other than being in the same state?

5) 2008 Chicago Cubs home: Cubs TBTCs are rare and far between…1948 roads in 1992, 1910-era roads in 1998, and now this. Again, my gripe is not with the jerseys…they look fine. Whomever made the uniforms, however, must be colorblind…the caps are navy blue, not the royal blue the Cubbies have worn for longer than they have gone without a World Series appearance.

Readers, let me know your Turn Back the Clock turnoffs and turnons, as my next column will detail my five favorites and why.

ODD MAJESTIC TAG

I recently acquired a player-worn Rockies BP jersey of pitcher Scott Elarton. The jersey shows decent wear, is properly sized (54…measures out to a 52), and gives all indications of being a team piece. Two oddities exist, however, one addressed in a previous Shirt column, one not.

A few months back, two Rockies BPs of the post-1999 variety, a Larry Walker and a Derrick Gibson, were noted for lacking the post-1999 MLB logo on the back of the neck. Also odd (making me curious about the similar items on those two jerseys) is the code on the interior wash tag. It isn’t the pro issued 0006, nor is it the post-1996 retail 6000. Instead, it is a very unique C593. Admittedly, I have no clue as to what this code is interpreted as…any reader who does know can either e-mail me or post it on the MEARS bulletin board…more background on this would be nice to have.

RUINED JERSEY

One poor guy recently had up for auction on eBay a very poorly doctored 1989 Detroit Tigers home jersey. The seller did not quote an ID other than the extant NOB (HERNANDEZ) and made mention of what he felt (correctly) were changes on the back. The apparent status of the item was a legitimate 1989 Tigers jersey by Wilson that carried an inventory tag of “21”, and, based on a rather uneducated forger who owned the jersey before this guy did, was played with in an attempt to pass it off as a Guillermo Hernandez gamer.

Almost anyone who collects Tigers jerseys knows that the inventory numbers, introduced in the late 1970s, are not identical to the uniform numbers of the players. Add to it a smaller NOB font, a totally erroneous numeric font, and you have what was once a nice Detroit home gamer turned into something bizarre, and left with a seller who was unaware of the inherent problems.

BACK TO OLD SCHOOL

One change of note in NCAA basketball attire…the Fighting Illini have gone back to NNOB jerseys for 2008-09. Coach Bruce Weber told a local radio show that it got to the point where he felt last year that some of the players weren’t respecting the name on the front of the jersey, so he’s guiding that focus to its proper place by taking the names off the uniform backs.

OBITUARIES

Bill Werber, the oldest living MLB player, died this past Thursday at age 100. He played alongside both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an 11-year career that found him wearing the flannels of the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds, and Giants. Part of the Reds World Series teams of 1939-1940, Werber was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in 1961. In addition, Billy Werber was one of the players who provided commentary for the HBO produced “When it Was a Game” series.

Dante Lavelli, a receiver nicknamed “Glue Fingers” for his sure-handedness in catching a pass, died at age 85 of congestive heart failure. The Hall of Famer, enshrined in 1975, played for the Browns beginning in their AAFC days in 1946, and stayed with Cleveland for their move into the NFL, wearing the brown and orange through 1956.

Finally , Shane Dronett, a 10-year NFL veteran, died at age 38, the victim of a possible suicide. He began in the NFL in 1992 with Denver, and spent 4 years there, with a move to Atlanta following, where he played from 1996-2001.

GOTTA LOVE THE UNDERDOG…GO, ARIZONA!!

ALWAYS ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION…

…Or you could face the ordeal that Kalen Plew endured.

Kalen is a 14-year-old kid from Gurnee, Illinois, who, with his father and another person, attended the Winter Classic game at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day.

With the Detroit victory nearing a close, Kalen left the group’s upper deck seats to venture down to the Red Wings’ exit, to slap fives with some Wings players. He got more than he bargained for…in a good way. Detroit player Henrik Zetterberg, rather than high-fiving Kalen, gave him the stick he used in the game.

Kalen then left the park and waited for the rest of his party. This time, Kalen again got more than he bargained for, but in a decidedly bad way. A man in a Winter Classic jacket confronted Kalen, and claimed he was a security officer. He told Kalen that he could not carry the stick without adult supervision, and, with Kalen’s father, Marc, yet to emerge from the stadium, confiscated the stick. By the time Marc emerged, Kalen was in tears, his prized souvenir gone.

The story does have a happy ending, though that took a week or so to be realized. The fake security guard, an eBay seller, went back into Wrigley Field to use the restroom. A fan in the men’s room asked him about the stick, and, after being told he was going to put the stick up on eBay, offered the fake cop $100. Sold, American.

The buyer, a North Carolina dentist named Robert Pappert, bought the stick for his wife, a huge Zetterberg fan. They were planning to make a display for it in their home, when news reports of the strongarm theft reached him. Both he and the Mrs. decided that returning the stick to it’s rightful owner was the route to go. The stick was received by the Plews, and, to their credit, the Red Wings, informed of the fake cop and his fake story, were prepared to send Kalen another player stick as a replacement.

Sad to say, this isn’t the first time someone has taken advantage of a youth at Wrigley Field to get a game-used item…just the first time it happened at an NHL game at Wrigley Field.

Over the years, numerous times kids in the bleachers who caught a visiting team home run ball have been reduced to sobs and even fleeing the park when some bleacher drunk would snatch the ball out of their hands in order to “throw it back”…the most obnoxious fan policy in baseball today.

Then, more recently (since the bleachers have gotten too expensive for most kids), an active Ballhawk, who does not practice this currently, would, last decade, position himself by the Cubs bullpen if a visiting player’s circuit clout was thrown back in left field. The ball, when this happens, is retrieved by a member of the Cubs bullpen or a security guard, and one of the players gives the rejected home run to a kid seated in the box seats.

Once this took place, this still-active Wrigley shagger would race down congratulate the kid, and ask to see the ball. When the kid handed it to him, he would employ sleight-of-hand to hide the home run ball and hand back to the kid a meaningless BP baseball in its place. The kids weren’t observant enough to spot the switcheroo, and any accompanying adults were normally too busy drinking beer and/or watching the game to notice the trickery. All of the above is sad commentary, but it’s true. Readers, keep your eyes on your kids when you attend a sporting event together to make sure that they, too, aren’t relieved of their fairly obtained baseballs, bats, sticks, or whatever by despicable and deceptive adults who would take advantage of them.

AUCTION ACTION

January 22, starting at 8PM CST, is closing time for the auction of Winter Classic game-worn sweaters of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings. All jerseys are registered in the MeiGray database. Ending times are staggered a few minutes apart for each jersey, with the Wings wearables going first, and the Indian Head gamers starting to go off the boards at 8:50 PM CST.

Also, small groups of game-worn MLB jerseys from Texas, Detroit and Atlanta will be ending shortly on MLB.com. The Rangers gamers close on January 18th; the Tigers goodies end the day after, and the Braves baubles close the day after that.

Also of note: the auction site has a number of Buy It Now game-used 2006 World Baseball Classic jerseys starting at only $125 each.

MISCELLANEOUS JERSEY NOTES

The blue TBTC jerseys that the Cleveland Cavaliers introduced on January 7 were worn again in their next game on the 9th.

Also, for their final 2008 home game (December 20), the Dallas Cowboys, clad in their good-luck white unies, wore a Farewell to Texas Stadium patch. I’m not sure if any of the same jersey were used, sans patch, in their season-ending game in Philadelphia on December 28th, as they wore white in Philadelphia, also.

Finally, trolling the Internet for images produced something I had not seen before. A 1980 Topps card of backup Braves catcher Joe Nolan showed Joe in a batting pose in spring training wearing the red Wilson BP shirts that the Braves broke out that year. Unlike the norm, however, these spring BPs were without a NOB, although the picture showed that room for a NOB was provided. Did the Braves add the NOBs once the season started? It would be likely, but still nice to actually confirm.

OBITUARIES

Frank Williams, a pitcher for San Francisco, Cincinnati and Detroit from 1984-89, died at age 50 on January 9. Living on the streets and occasionally holding court for fans at an area card shop, Williams had a heart attack and was in a coma for two weeks before he passed away.

Also, longtime MLB coach and manager Preston Gomez died from complications related to an auto accident late last year. He was 85. Gomez was the first manager in San Diego Padres history, and also skippered the Astros and Cubs.

COMMIT TO THE INDIAN…GO, BLACKHAWKS!!

ALWAYS ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION…

…Or you could face the ordeal that Kalen Plew endured.

Kalen is a 14-year-old kid from Gurnee, Illinois, who, with his father and another person, attended the Winter Classic game at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day.

With the Detroit victory nearing a close, Kalen left the group’s upper deck seats to venture down to the Red Wings’ exit, to slap fives with some Wings players. He got more than he bargained for…in a good way. Detroit player Henrik Zetterberg, rather than high-fiving Kalen, gave him the stick he used in the game.

Kalen then left the park and waited for the rest of his party. This time, Kalen again got more than he bargained for, but in a decidedly bad way. A man in a Winter Classic jacket confronted Kalen, and claimed he was a security officer. He told Kalen that he could not carry the stick without adult supervision, and, with Kalen’s father, Marc, yet to emerge from the stadium, confiscated the stick. By the time Marc emerged, Kalen was in tears, his prized souvenir gone.

The story does have a happy ending, though that took a week or so to be realized. The fake security guard, an eBay seller, went back into Wrigley Field to use the restroom. A fan in the men’s room asked him about the stick, and, after being told he was going to put the stick up on eBay, offered the fake cop $100. Sold, American.

The buyer, a North Carolina dentist named Robert Pappert, bought the stick for his wife, a huge Zetterberg fan. They were planning to make a display for it in their home, when news reports of the strongarm theft reached him. Both he and the Mrs. decided that returning the stick to it’s rightful owner was the route to go. The stick was received by the Plews, and, to their credit, the Red Wings, informed of the fake cop and his fake story, were prepared to send Kalen another player stick as a replacement.

Sad to say, this isn’t the first time someone has taken advantage of a youth at Wrigley Field to get a game-used item…just the first time it happened at an NHL game at Wrigley Field.

Over the years, numerous times kids in the bleachers who caught a visiting team home run ball have been reduced to sobs and even fleeing the park when some bleacher drunk would snatch the ball out of their hands in order to “throw it back”…the most obnoxious fan policy in baseball today.

Then, more recently (since the bleachers have gotten too expensive for most kids), an active Ballhawk, who does not practice this currently, would, last decade, position himself by the Cubs bullpen if a visiting player’s circuit clout was thrown back in left field. The ball, when this happens, is retrieved by a member of the Cubs bullpen or a security guard, and one of the players gives the rejected home run to a kid seated in the box seats.

Once this took place, this still-active Wrigley shagger would race down congratulate the kid, and ask to see the ball. When the kid handed it to him, he would employ sleight-of-hand to hide the home run ball and hand back to the kid a meaningless BP baseball in its place. The kids weren’t observant enough to spot the switcheroo, and any accompanying adults were normally too busy drinking beer and/or watching the game to notice the trickery. All of the above is sad commentary, but it’s true. Readers, keep your eyes on your kids when you attend a sporting event together to make sure that they, too, aren’t relieved of their fairly obtained baseballs, bats, sticks, or whatever by despicable and deceptive adults who would take advantage of them.

AUCTION ACTION

January 22, starting at 8PM CST, is closing time for the auction of Winter Classic game-worn sweaters of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings. All jerseys are registered in the MeiGray database. Ending times are staggered a few minutes apart for each jersey, with the Wings wearables going first, and the Indian Head gamers starting to go off the boards at 8:50 PM CST.

Also, small groups of game-worn MLB jerseys from Texas, Detroit and Atlanta will be ending shortly on MLB.com. The Rangers gamers close on January 18th; the Tigers goodies end the day after, and the Braves baubles close the day after that.

Also of note: the auction site has a number of Buy It Now game-used 2006 World Baseball Classic jerseys starting at only $125 each.

MISCELLANEOUS JERSEY NOTES

The blue TBTC jerseys that the Cleveland Cavaliers introduced on January 7 were worn again in their next game on the 9th.

Also, for their final 2008 home game (December 20), the Dallas Cowboys, clad in their good-luck white unies, wore a Farewell to Texas Stadium patch. I’m not sure if any of the same jersey were used, sans patch, in their season-ending game in Philadelphia on December 28th, as they wore white in Philadelphia, also.

Finally, trolling the Internet for images produced something I had not seen before. A 1980 Topps card of backup Braves catcher Joe Nolan showed Joe in a batting pose in spring training wearing the red Wilson BP shirts that the Braves broke out that year. Unlike the norm, however, these spring BPs were without a NOB, although the picture showed that room for a NOB was provided. Did the Braves add the NOBs once the season started? It would be likely, but still nice to actually confirm.

OBITUARIES

Frank Williams, a pitcher for San Francisco, Cincinnati and Detroit from 1984-89, died at age 50 on January 9. Living on the streets and occasionally holding court for fans at an area card shop, Williams had a heart attack and was in a coma for two weeks before he passed away.

Also, longtime MLB coach and manager Preston Gomez died from complications related to an auto accident late last year. He was 85. Gomez was the first manager in San Diego Padres history, and also skippered the Astros and Cubs.

COMMIT TO THE INDIAN…GO, BLACKHAWKS!!

WINTER CLASSIC WEARABLES AVAILABLE

Hockey fans, your ship has arrived! Game-worn sweaters from the Winter Classic are up for bids on www.nhl.com . The jerseys auctioned on the league website are the ones worn during the second period of the game (different sets were worn each period, as well as for pre-game practices, according to Barry Meisel of MeiGray Co.)
NHL.com has both Detroit and Chicago gamers available with bids closing on January 22nd. The Red Wings sweaters will begin closing at (PM EST and have staggered closing times after that. Chicago jerseys will also have staggered closing times, beginning at 9:50 PM EST.

If you prefer fixed price sales, the Red Wings will be selling the 1st Period sweaters (this set was turned over to each team) through their team store at Joe Louis Arena. A link exists to connect to sale information on www.redwings.com . No word on the Blackhawks set from this point of the game, although I suspect they will make it out this year…the only question is will it be at the summertime Blackhawks Fan Convention or at the Hawkquarters team store on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chi-Town.

The third period jerseys were given to the players. All game and practice/pre-game jerseys have been certified in the MeiGray database.

CAVS ADD FIFTH 2008-09 STYLE

Already having sported four different uniform styles this season (home white, road red, alternate blue, and early 1970s yellow Hardwood Classic), the Cavs, this past Wednesday, added a blue version of the retro unies to the mix. MEARS has secured images of this new style for the organizational database.

WHO’S MARTINEZ?

A collector who knows my affinity for the Cubs had a question about an eBay jersey being sold. He wondered who #80 (Martinez) was in the early 2000s. The rosters he viewed made no mention of him.

The answer can be found in the considerable influence of Sammy Sosa during the Don Baylor and, especially, the Dusty Baker years with the Cubs. During Sosa’s time under those two field managers, he pretty much said and did what he wanted without challenge from his bosses, inside or outside the dugout. One of the things he wanted was to take care of one of his “peeps”, one Julian Martinez. Having met while both were in AA ball, Martinez became a right-hand man to the egotistical Sosa, and, at Sosa’s urging, was given a spot, including a uniform, for his time as a member of the team’s on-field personnel. Martinez did perform a small number of actual on-field duties, such as hitting fungoes and the like, but his purpose there basically amounted to another special perk to keep Sam-Me happy.

2009 MLB PATCHES

So far, two items to report here:

1) A Final Season Metrodome patch for the Minnesota Twins. The oft-maligned indoor venue will be replaced by a new ballpark in 2010.

2) A 40th Anniversary patch for the Kansas City Royals, who played their first game back in 1969.

OBITUARIES

Carl Pohlad, wealthy Minnesota resident businessman who owned the Minnesota Twins since buying them from Cal Griffith, died on January 5 at age 93. Pohlad’s ownership tenure included two World Championships (1987 and 1991).

“Prince” Joe Henry, a crowd-pleasing former Negro Leaguer of the 1950s, died this past Friday at age 78.

Also leaving us on Friday was MLB ex-pitcher Dave Roberts. Roberts played for 8 teams in 13 Big League seasons, highlights of which were a place on the 1979 World Champion Pirates, and a finish in the top 3 in ERA in the National League in 1971 while with the Padres. He passed away from lung cancer caused by early-life exposure to asbestos at age 64.

Finally, Olympian Roy Saari, a swimmer for the USA who nabbed a gold and a silver medal for America in the 1964 Tokyo Games, died at age 63 of unannounced causes.

TIM TEBOW…GREAT QB; GREAT PERSON. CONGRATULATIONS, TIM

WINTER CLASSIC WEARABLES AVAILABLE

Hockey fans, your ship has arrived! Game-worn sweaters from the Winter Classic are up for bids on www.nhl.com . The jerseys auctioned on the league website are the ones worn during the second period of the game (different sets were worn each period, as well as for pre-game practices, according to Barry Meisel of MeiGray Co.)
NHL.com has both Detroit and Chicago gamers available with bids closing on January 22nd. The Red Wings sweaters will begin closing at (PM EST and have staggered closing times after that. Chicago jerseys will also have staggered closing times, beginning at 9:50 PM EST.

If you prefer fixed price sales, the Red Wings will be selling the 1st Period sweaters (this set was turned over to each team) through their team store at Joe Louis Arena. A link exists to connect to sale information on www.redwings.com . No word on the Blackhawks set from this point of the game, although I suspect they will make it out this year…the only question is will it be at the summertime Blackhawks Fan Convention or at the Hawkquarters team store on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chi-Town.

The third period jerseys were given to the players. All game and practice/pre-game jerseys have been certified in the MeiGray database.

CAVS ADD FIFTH 2008-09 STYLE

Already having sported four different uniform styles this season (home white, road red, alternate blue, and early 1970s yellow Hardwood Classic), the Cavs, this past Wednesday, added a blue version of the retro unies to the mix. MEARS has secured images of this new style for the organizational database.

WHO’S MARTINEZ?

A collector who knows my affinity for the Cubs had a question about an eBay jersey being sold. He wondered who #80 (Martinez) was in the early 2000s. The rosters he viewed made no mention of him.

The answer can be found in the considerable influence of Sammy Sosa during the Don Baylor and, especially, the Dusty Baker years with the Cubs. During Sosa’s time under those two field managers, he pretty much said and did what he wanted without challenge from his bosses, inside or outside the dugout. One of the things he wanted was to take care of one of his “peeps”, one Julian Martinez. Having met while both were in AA ball, Martinez became a right-hand man to the egotistical Sosa, and, at Sosa’s urging, was given a spot, including a uniform, for his time as a member of the team’s on-field personnel. Martinez did perform a small number of actual on-field duties, such as hitting fungoes and the like, but his purpose there basically amounted to another special perk to keep Sam-Me happy.

2009 MLB PATCHES

So far, two items to report here:

1) A Final Season Metrodome patch for the Minnesota Twins. The oft-maligned indoor venue will be replaced by a new ballpark in 2010.

2) A 40th Anniversary patch for the Kansas City Royals, who played their first game back in 1969.

OBITUARIES

Carl Pohlad, wealthy Minnesota resident businessman who owned the Minnesota Twins since buying them from Cal Griffith, died on January 5 at age 93. Pohlad’s ownership tenure included two World Championships (1987 and 1991).

“Prince” Joe Henry, a crowd-pleasing former Negro Leaguer of the 1950s, died this past Friday at age 78.

Also leaving us on Friday was MLB ex-pitcher Dave Roberts. Roberts played for 8 teams in 13 Big League seasons, highlights of which were a place on the 1979 World Champion Pirates, and a finish in the top 3 in ERA in the National League in 1971 while with the Padres. He passed away from lung cancer caused by early-life exposure to asbestos at age 64.

Finally, Olympian Roy Saari, a swimmer for the USA who nabbed a gold and a silver medal for America in the 1964 Tokyo Games, died at age 63 of unannounced causes.

TIM TEBOW…GREAT QB; GREAT PERSON. CONGRATULATIONS, TIM

DOBBINS’ RULES OF RESTORATION

The late Dick Dobbins of Alamo, California was one of the classiest, most knowledgeable and integrity-filled people to ever grace any segment of the sports collecting hobby. Dobbins actively bought, sold, and collected jerseys for decades, even penning a book on Pacific Coast League history during his too-brief life.

Dobbins was of the opinion shared by some (though not all) collectors and dealers that jersey restoration was acceptable, if it followed certain criteria. Lon Lewis, a Bay Area hobby great in his own right, was the fellow who helped Dobbins with his restorations, the vast majority of which were phenomenal.

The criteria Dobbins used to differentiate a legitimate restoration from illegitimate doctoring are fourfold, and constitute what I like to call “Dobbins’ Rules of Restoration”, which will be detailed now:

1) All restorations of numbers and lettering should be as close to the original appearance as possible.

Translated, size of NOB and numbers should be matched. The tall, thin NOB font of a Cincinnati Reds flannel should not be restored with a smaller sized font, a la the Cardinals or the Orioles road greys of the late flannel era. If the original NOB is straight, arched, or vertically arched, the restoration should be the same. A felt Dodgers number should be restored with similar felt, not tackle twill. The solid navy cotton twill NOB of a White Sox pre-1969 flannel should not be replaced with a two-toned NOB.

2) The restorations should be true to the original identity of the jersey.

The stripped-down 1972 Cubs road knit of #28 does NOT become a #26 when restored. Your Giants flannel of Don McMahon stays as a Don McMahon when restored…it does not magically transform into a Willie Mays or a Juan Marichal. Commons don’t transform into stars after the restoration process is complete.

3) The asking price of a restored jersey should reflect the status of the jersey as being restored.

The percentage of all-original value a restored jerseys carries can be viewed differently from person to person, but there’s no question the value is less for a restored piece, even a perfectly restored one, than there is for an all original exemplar.

4) The presence of a restoration should be made known to a prospective buyer before a sale is consummated.

ANY variance from the original, restored or not, should be posted in a price list, eBay or auction listing when offered. Any restoration falls into this category, as well as missing patches, missing or replaced buttons, snaps or zippers, and missing NOBs. Failure to do so is legitimate grounds for a buyer to seek a refund, if the flaw affects the deal negatively in their eyes.

Restored jerseys aren’t for everybody, but they do provide an enhanced display appearance for collectors who accept them in their collections when performed in a quality manner. And, if you want that quality manner, just listen to Dick Dobbins via the printed word.

THE RETIRING TYPE

Three players with uniform retirement ceremonies in December of note:

The number 30 was retired by the Portland Trailblazers for two different players at two consecutive home games. First off was longtime Blazers star Terry Porter who was honored on December 16. Two evenings later, Bobby Gross, a member of Portland’s only NBA championship team who also wore #30 was similarly honored.

.

More recently, on December 28, the Washington Capitals celebrated the Caps career of Mike Gartner by retiring his #11 sweater. He was the fourth Caps player honored in this manner.

LAS VEGAS BETS ON POLITICS

The ongoing saga of the arrest and possible impeachment of Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Illinois), accused of trying to sell the vacated Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama, has inspired a spoof by one minor league hockey team. The Las Vegas Wranglers will wear, and then auction, jerseys with prison uniform striping on Blago Prison Uniform Night, January 30. In addition to the jailbird black-and-white pinstripes, the jerseys will be numbered with the words (i)ILL GOV (/i) above the player uniform number.

ANOTHER BOGUS ROSE

EBay recently saw it’s second bad Pete Rose Reds knit in the same month, a marginally better fake than the home jersey previously mentioned in this space, but still pretty obvious. This time, whomever put the forgery together (not necessarily the seller) had the correct manufacturer (1986 Rawlings road), but an obviously tampered with tag that indicated a size 40…something never seen on any true Rose gamer. An attempt by Pete Rose specialist Chuck Lumb to inform the seller of the flaws this jersey had did not get a reply.

HOBBY BAT MYTH

I haven’t heard anyone suggest this for a while, but this hobby myth from many moons ago shows just what can happen when card collectors with vivid imaginations can spread rumors of when they step out of their comfort zone and start offering commentary on game-used items.

The myth was first published, and refuted, in Beckett Baseball Card Monthly circa 1990. In the wake of the 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken card with the obscene notation on the knob, some unnamed collector or dealer of cards began claiming that another Fleer card, the 1987 issue of Andres Galarraga, also carried a lewd notation on the knob. Beckett refuted the rumor, but never did offer an opinion of just what the writing on the bat knob was.

If you have even moderate knowledge of game-used bats, you should be able to figure it out in short order. The Big Cat is swinging a Cooper bat in the photo, and the writing that sent some card enthusiasts into imagination overdrive was nothing more than the length and weight measurements that Cooper stamped on the knobs of players’ bats. Try again, card collectors!

OBITUARIES

Sammy Baugh, a member of the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class based on his legendary career with the Washington Redskins, died December 17 of multiple causes at age 94.

Liver failure claimed the life of former MLB pitcher Dock Ellis on December 19 at age
63. He was a less than sterling example for kids during his career, having his best seasons with Pittsburgh and the 1976 Yankees. The 12-year vet, who threw a no-hitter while, according to him, high on LSD, found redemption after his career ended, becoming a strong opponent of drugs and willing to speak to all sorts of groups about avoiding the problems he experienced.

December 21 was the date of death for Negro Leaguer Carlos Manuel Santiago. The cause was cardiac failure. Santiago, 82 at the time of his death, played for the 1945-46 New York Cubans, and was in camp in 1951 with the Cleveland Indians when the draft came calling, and he shipped out to Korea with the U.S. Army.

Finally, NFL defensive lineman Coy Bacon passed away December 22 due to undisclosed causes. Best remembered as a fierce pass rusher with the Rams, Bacon also starred for the Chargers, Bengals and Redskins. His only NFL touchdown came on an 80-yard interception return in 1973 while a member of the Chargers.

SAMURAI MIKE IS IN CHARGE…THE 49ERS WILL BE ROUGH IN 2009!

DOBBINS’ RULES OF RESTORATION

The late Dick Dobbins of Alamo, California was one of the classiest, most knowledgeable and integrity-filled people to ever grace any segment of the sports collecting hobby. Dobbins actively bought, sold, and collected jerseys for decades, even penning a book on Pacific Coast League history during his too-brief life.

Dobbins was of the opinion shared by some (though not all) collectors and dealers that jersey restoration was acceptable, if it followed certain criteria. Lon Lewis, a Bay Area hobby great in his own right, was the fellow who helped Dobbins with his restorations, the vast majority of which were phenomenal.

The criteria Dobbins used to differentiate a legitimate restoration from illegitimate doctoring are fourfold, and constitute what I like to call “Dobbins’ Rules of Restoration”, which will be detailed now:

1) All restorations of numbers and lettering should be as close to the original appearance as possible.

Translated, size of NOB and numbers should be matched. The tall, thin NOB font of a Cincinnati Reds flannel should not be restored with a smaller sized font, a la the Cardinals or the Orioles road greys of the late flannel era. If the original NOB is straight, arched, or vertically arched, the restoration should be the same. A felt Dodgers number should be restored with similar felt, not tackle twill. The solid navy cotton twill NOB of a White Sox pre-1969 flannel should not be replaced with a two-toned NOB.

2) The restorations should be true to the original identity of the jersey.

The stripped-down 1972 Cubs road knit of #28 does NOT become a #26 when restored. Your Giants flannel of Don McMahon stays as a Don McMahon when restored…it does not magically transform into a Willie Mays or a Juan Marichal. Commons don’t transform into stars after the restoration process is complete.

3) The asking price of a restored jersey should reflect the status of the jersey as being restored.

The percentage of all-original value a restored jerseys carries can be viewed differently from person to person, but there’s no question the value is less for a restored piece, even a perfectly restored one, than there is for an all original exemplar.

4) The presence of a restoration should be made known to a prospective buyer before a sale is consummated.

ANY variance from the original, restored or not, should be posted in a price list, eBay or auction listing when offered. Any restoration falls into this category, as well as missing patches, missing or replaced buttons, snaps or zippers, and missing NOBs. Failure to do so is legitimate grounds for a buyer to seek a refund, if the flaw affects the deal negatively in their eyes.

Restored jerseys aren’t for everybody, but they do provide an enhanced display appearance for collectors who accept them in their collections when performed in a quality manner. And, if you want that quality manner, just listen to Dick Dobbins via the printed word.

THE RETIRING TYPE

Three players with uniform retirement ceremonies in December of note:

The number 30 was retired by the Portland Trailblazers for two different players at two consecutive home games. First off was longtime Blazers star Terry Porter who was honored on December 16. Two evenings later, Bobby Gross, a member of Portland’s only NBA championship team who also wore #30 was similarly honored.

.

More recently, on December 28, the Washington Capitals celebrated the Caps career of Mike Gartner by retiring his #11 sweater. He was the fourth Caps player honored in this manner.

LAS VEGAS BETS ON POLITICS

The ongoing saga of the arrest and possible impeachment of Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Illinois), accused of trying to sell the vacated Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama, has inspired a spoof by one minor league hockey team. The Las Vegas Wranglers will wear, and then auction, jerseys with prison uniform striping on Blago Prison Uniform Night, January 30. In addition to the jailbird black-and-white pinstripes, the jerseys will be numbered with the words (i)ILL GOV (/i) above the player uniform number.

ANOTHER BOGUS ROSE

EBay recently saw it’s second bad Pete Rose Reds knit in the same month, a marginally better fake than the home jersey previously mentioned in this space, but still pretty obvious. This time, whomever put the forgery together (not necessarily the seller) had the correct manufacturer (1986 Rawlings road), but an obviously tampered with tag that indicated a size 40…something never seen on any true Rose gamer. An attempt by Pete Rose specialist Chuck Lumb to inform the seller of the flaws this jersey had did not get a reply.

HOBBY BAT MYTH

I haven’t heard anyone suggest this for a while, but this hobby myth from many moons ago shows just what can happen when card collectors with vivid imaginations can spread rumors of when they step out of their comfort zone and start offering commentary on game-used items.

The myth was first published, and refuted, in Beckett Baseball Card Monthly circa 1990. In the wake of the 1989 Fleer Billy Ripken card with the obscene notation on the knob, some unnamed collector or dealer of cards began claiming that another Fleer card, the 1987 issue of Andres Galarraga, also carried a lewd notation on the knob. Beckett refuted the rumor, but never did offer an opinion of just what the writing on the bat knob was.

If you have even moderate knowledge of game-used bats, you should be able to figure it out in short order. The Big Cat is swinging a Cooper bat in the photo, and the writing that sent some card enthusiasts into imagination overdrive was nothing more than the length and weight measurements that Cooper stamped on the knobs of players’ bats. Try again, card collectors!

OBITUARIES

Sammy Baugh, a member of the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame induction class based on his legendary career with the Washington Redskins, died December 17 of multiple causes at age 94.

Liver failure claimed the life of former MLB pitcher Dock Ellis on December 19 at age
63. He was a less than sterling example for kids during his career, having his best seasons with Pittsburgh and the 1976 Yankees. The 12-year vet, who threw a no-hitter while, according to him, high on LSD, found redemption after his career ended, becoming a strong opponent of drugs and willing to speak to all sorts of groups about avoiding the problems he experienced.

December 21 was the date of death for Negro Leaguer Carlos Manuel Santiago. The cause was cardiac failure. Santiago, 82 at the time of his death, played for the 1945-46 New York Cubans, and was in camp in 1951 with the Cleveland Indians when the draft came calling, and he shipped out to Korea with the U.S. Army.

Finally, NFL defensive lineman Coy Bacon passed away December 22 due to undisclosed causes. Best remembered as a fierce pass rusher with the Rams, Bacon also starred for the Chargers, Bengals and Redskins. His only NFL touchdown came on an 80-yard interception return in 1973 while a member of the Chargers.

SAMURAI MIKE IS IN CHARGE…THE 49ERS WILL BE ROUGH IN 2009!

GRABBING PHOTO IMAGES BECOMES NICE RESEARCH JOURNEY

As a MEARS researcher, I grab photo images from various sources, and add them to the database almost every day. One thing I’ll do on occasion is grab a notable sports name…Hall of Famer, popular player, team fan icon…and just grab whatever’s on Getty than has a verifiable date…no easy task with older Getty entries. If a date given seems odd or generic, then I don’t use it unless something in the photo can verify it’s origins, at least pertinent to the year…a uniform style, a background item, a sleeve patch, or something similar.

That’s what happened before my recent battle with the flu when I decided to drum up playing career photos of the late Dodgers Hall of Famer, Don Drysdale. I found a number of photos of the game, all of which showed something I never noticed before…Drysdale was wearing a thick, black memoriam armband on his left sleeve.

I began doing further research, and tried to conjure up photos taken of Dodgers during the 1968 regular season. Corbis offered almost the same as Getty did…lots on the Drysdale scoreless innings record (which the photo from Getty depicted).

Next I went to eBay and tried to find an image of a Dodgers jersey (particularly a home, which was what Big D wore in that game), and results were, at best, inconclusive. The 1969 Topps cards would be the most likely to carry 1968 regular season photos. Unfortunately, as a card collector for years in the past, I also remember that the ’69 Topps set was notorious for Big Head, No Hat cards, as Kit Kiefer once called them…close ups of players sans caps. The set also had a lot of older photos of traded players with cap logos airbrushed out and jersey fronts conveniently obscured by arms and a glove of a pitcher doing the stretch, or views that had a player’s swing conveniently obscure the front team ID. There was even at least one photo in the set that was taken way back in 1962! That was a Tommie Aaron card with the same pose as the younger Aaron’s card carried in the 1963 set. In short, while nothing in the set showed the armband, there was no sound certainty that the photos were from 1968. Photos of longtime Dodgers like Jim Brewer, Jim Lefebvre and Don Sutton could easily have been pre-1968, given the set’s tendencies.

Next stop to view photos was my Street & Smith’s 1969 Yearbook. Space constraints in my apartment don’t allow me to keep much hard copy material around, but the S&Ss go everywhere I go. I use them for spring training rosters, coaching assignments, and the occasional photo reference. They’re no longer in collectible sale condition, but they’re more than adequate for what I need them for.

I paged through my yearbook, and found two pictures of Tom Haller, a catcher who joined the Dodgers for the 1968 season. Two home uniform pictures, both of which had to be from 1968, neither with an armband. Later on in the yearbook, though, was an even more important photo…a shot of Drysdale on the mound at home with the scoreboard in the shot. The score at the time was 5-0 in favor of L.A. in the top of the 8th, and the caption described the photo as one from Drysdale’s 6th consecutive shutout…the game before he broke the record. No band was present. This game was played on June 4th of ’68. The record-breaking game…where Big D and the other Dodgers wore the black band…took place on June 8th. So now, the questions are: 1) Who was being eulogized with the black band, and (b) how long did the Dodgers wear it that year?

The first question was eventually solved, as whomever had died would have had to do so between those two Big D starts, I did a lot of checking up on Dodger players, front office types, Hall of Famers, etc., and found nothing that fit. So the time came to start looking outside the box, and consider non-baseball personalities as the possibility.

No local politicians ( the first thought I had ) were deceased in that time, but expanding the base to the national scope of the political agenda, I recalled the 1968 assassination of Democratic Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy. His candidacy was a popular one with a lot of Democrats eager to keep the Oval Office in the blue and extend the run that his brother began and Lyndon B. Johnson assumed upon JFK’s assassination. Kennedy was shot and killed while on the campaign trail at a hotel in the Dodgers’ home city of Los Angeles. I looked up a little more, and found the time/date of the crime…shortly after midnight, June 5th, 1968.

Bingo

The second question will require more research, that being the duration of time the Dodgers wore the RFK memoriam band. The Dodgers were in the middle of a 10-game homestand when the RFK shooting occurred. It may have been removed after the last game of that homestand against the Mets, or it could have run further…any information MEARS Online readers have to share would be appreciated and welcomed. The journey has so far been a fun one.

OBITUARIES

Pete Case, a guard who played for the NFL Eagles and Giants from 1962-70, died after a long illness. He was 67.

Nick Willhite, a pitcher in the show for 5 seasons (1963-67) died in Utah on the 14th. He, too, was 67. Willhite’s time in the Bigs was primarily with the Dodgers, and also included brief stints with the Senators, Angels and Mets.

Finally, Dave Smith, long-time Astros closer and a Cub reliever in his career twilight, died of a heart attack in San Diego this past Wednesday. He was 53. Smith pitched for the ‘Stros from 1980-90, and then spent his last two MLB seasons as a Cub. I recall him as a great person and autograph signer, and he closed pretty well, too, in his prime.

CELTICS TO WIN 70? WE’LL SEE

GRABBING PHOTO IMAGES BECOMES NICE RESEARCH JOURNEY

As a MEARS researcher, I grab photo images from various sources, and add them to the database almost every day. One thing I’ll do on occasion is grab a notable sports name…Hall of Famer, popular player, team fan icon…and just grab whatever’s on Getty than has a verifiable date…no easy task with older Getty entries. If a date given seems odd or generic, then I don’t use it unless something in the photo can verify it’s origins, at least pertinent to the year…a uniform style, a background item, a sleeve patch, or something similar.

That’s what happened before my recent battle with the flu when I decided to drum up playing career photos of the late Dodgers Hall of Famer, Don Drysdale. I found a number of photos of the game, all of which showed something I never noticed before…Drysdale was wearing a thick, black memoriam armband on his left sleeve.

I began doing further research, and tried to conjure up photos taken of Dodgers during the 1968 regular season. Corbis offered almost the same as Getty did…lots on the Drysdale scoreless innings record (which the photo from Getty depicted).

Next I went to eBay and tried to find an image of a Dodgers jersey (particularly a home, which was what Big D wore in that game), and results were, at best, inconclusive. The 1969 Topps cards would be the most likely to carry 1968 regular season photos. Unfortunately, as a card collector for years in the past, I also remember that the ’69 Topps set was notorious for Big Head, No Hat cards, as Kit Kiefer once called them…close ups of players sans caps. The set also had a lot of older photos of traded players with cap logos airbrushed out and jersey fronts conveniently obscured by arms and a glove of a pitcher doing the stretch, or views that had a player’s swing conveniently obscure the front team ID. There was even at least one photo in the set that was taken way back in 1962! That was a Tommie Aaron card with the same pose as the younger Aaron’s card carried in the 1963 set. In short, while nothing in the set showed the armband, there was no sound certainty that the photos were from 1968. Photos of longtime Dodgers like Jim Brewer, Jim Lefebvre and Don Sutton could easily have been pre-1968, given the set’s tendencies.

Next stop to view photos was my Street & Smith’s 1969 Yearbook. Space constraints in my apartment don’t allow me to keep much hard copy material around, but the S&Ss go everywhere I go. I use them for spring training rosters, coaching assignments, and the occasional photo reference. They’re no longer in collectible sale condition, but they’re more than adequate for what I need them for.

I paged through my yearbook, and found two pictures of Tom Haller, a catcher who joined the Dodgers for the 1968 season. Two home uniform pictures, both of which had to be from 1968, neither with an armband. Later on in the yearbook, though, was an even more important photo…a shot of Drysdale on the mound at home with the scoreboard in the shot. The score at the time was 5-0 in favor of L.A. in the top of the 8th, and the caption described the photo as one from Drysdale’s 6th consecutive shutout…the game before he broke the record. No band was present. This game was played on June 4th of ’68. The record-breaking game…where Big D and the other Dodgers wore the black band…took place on June 8th. So now, the questions are: 1) Who was being eulogized with the black band, and (b) how long did the Dodgers wear it that year?

The first question was eventually solved, as whomever had died would have had to do so between those two Big D starts, I did a lot of checking up on Dodger players, front office types, Hall of Famers, etc., and found nothing that fit. So the time came to start looking outside the box, and consider non-baseball personalities as the possibility.

No local politicians ( the first thought I had ) were deceased in that time, but expanding the base to the national scope of the political agenda, I recalled the 1968 assassination of Democratic Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy. His candidacy was a popular one with a lot of Democrats eager to keep the Oval Office in the blue and extend the run that his brother began and Lyndon B. Johnson assumed upon JFK’s assassination. Kennedy was shot and killed while on the campaign trail at a hotel in the Dodgers’ home city of Los Angeles. I looked up a little more, and found the time/date of the crime…shortly after midnight, June 5th, 1968.

Bingo

The second question will require more research, that being the duration of time the Dodgers wore the RFK memoriam band. The Dodgers were in the middle of a 10-game homestand when the RFK shooting occurred. It may have been removed after the last game of that homestand against the Mets, or it could have run further…any information MEARS Online readers have to share would be appreciated and welcomed. The journey has so far been a fun one.

OBITUARIES

Pete Case, a guard who played for the NFL Eagles and Giants from 1962-70, died after a long illness. He was 67.

Nick Willhite, a pitcher in the show for 5 seasons (1963-67) died in Utah on the 14th. He, too, was 67. Willhite’s time in the Bigs was primarily with the Dodgers, and also included brief stints with the Senators, Angels and Mets.

Finally, Dave Smith, long-time Astros closer and a Cub reliever in his career twilight, died of a heart attack in San Diego this past Wednesday. He was 53. Smith pitched for the ‘Stros from 1980-90, and then spent his last two MLB seasons as a Cub. I recall him as a great person and autograph signer, and he closed pretty well, too, in his prime.

CELTICS TO WIN 70? WE’LL SEE

WIN WITH THE WINTER CLASSIC

In-person and television viewers of the January 1st NHL Winter Classic between the Blackhawks and Red Wings at Wrigley Field will be eligible to be part of a contest co-sponsored by the NHL and their contracted uniform supplier, Reebok.

The contest is called “Find the Lost Logo”, and will requires fans to identify the one player on the ice (could be a Chicago or a Detroit skater) whose game sweater is missing the Reebok logo on the back of the neck. Fans attending the game will be given binoculars to assist them in participation. The complete promotional rules and terms can be found on both www.nhl.com and www.reebokhockey.com .

PAYTON AS #17 FOR THE BEARS

Yes, it did happen, but, no, it wasn’t Walter.

As I write these words, I am watching the end of regulation time in the Thursday night Bears-Saints game. The NFL Network, who broadcast the game, showed a film clip of Saints head coach Sean Payton in uniform number 17 for the Bears, in Sweetness’ final year in the NFL. Hall of Famer Payton wasn’t playing at the time coach Payton was wearing Bears navy and orange, however…Sean was the quarterback during the 3-game run of NFL contests involving replacement players during the mid-season strike. So, if you see a Wilson Bears jersey with a NOB of PAYTON and a “17” on the front, back and sleeves, it’s not a fake constructed by an idiot…it’s just not the Payton most collectors would want in their collections.

NEW RED SOX DESIGNS

The Boston ballclub has added one new style and updated a couple more to their 2009 uniform arsenal.

The existing red alternate jersey will now be a home-only alternate jersey, with a dark blue road alternate being added to the team supply. The blue will have the fancy BOSTON front in red trimmed in white.

Meanwhile, the standard road grays will be scaled back in color, with a new BOSTON front using the 1990s/2000s ornate BOSTON road front, but with a 1979-89 single toned dark blue lettering.
Also on the agenda is the return of the Hanging Sox logo, without the circular border, to be added as a left sleeve logo patch on at least 3 of the 4 styles (not sure about the home whites on this. The Hanging Sox logo will also adorn the front of a new alternate cap the team is adding to the longtime B front lid. The Red Sox team website has photos of the new road grey and blue alternate road jerseys.

NBA HARDWOOD CLASSICS

Some retro NBA styles have shown up again in 2008-09 Hardwood Classics uniforms made by Adidas for NBA game use.

On December 5th, the Washington Wizards broke out a home white design patterned after the unies of the Wizards’ long-ago predecessor, the Chicago Zephyrs of 1962-63. The design was part of the team’s 45th Anniversary celebration during the current season. Also, on December 10th, while the Cavs again wore their bright yellow early 70’s throwbacks, the New Orleans Hornets turned to the old ABA for inspiration with a retro New Orleans Bucs style. Kudos to all three for adding something new for game-used hoops collectors.

CHARLIE DIDN’T HUSTLE IN THIS ONE

Another eBay lot has come and gone which was so far off the beaten path in terms of authenticity, but still drew some bidders.

The item was purported to be a 1980s Reds home knit of Pete Rose. As is often the case when items like this one are highlighted, problems were multiple in nature. The NOB and numeric fonts bore serifs, something the Reds gamers of the era (home and road) did not. Also, the jersey was made by Wilson…fine for 1972-84 road knits, but not for home pullovers, which were the work of Rawlings from 1972-84, and by Goodman for the ’85-’86 time frame.

Of course, while assuredly not game-used, jerseys like this have a purpose for some hobbyists. If you want to get a jersey of decent quality autographed for display, don’t care about whether the item is a gamer or a game-issued piece, and keep the spending down, then you have a hobbyist-correct purpose for an item of value…just not a game-used one.

CHICAGO BASEBALL CONVENTIONS

For game-used equipment collectors and autograph seekers; the two Chicago baseball team off-season fan conventions will be two weeks apart. The Cubs event, at the Chicago Hilton & Towers, will be January 16-18. Two weekends later (January 30-February 1), the White Sox will have their turn. The Sox have tickets available as of this writing; the Cubs event, however, will require eBay bidding, a ticket broker, or trolling exhibitors for a pass, as the public sale of ducats sold out in 24 minutes. Closer to the time, I’ll cover what to expect at each event in the way of game-used items and autograph availability.

For someone willing to travel and not be intimidated by possible lousy winter weather, one could plan a long 4-day weekend by hitting the Cubs show on Friday and Saturday, and then heading down to St. Louis for the Cardinals fanfest, which runs from the 17th through the 19th, finishing up on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Monday.

TWO VOPATS, ONE NOB

An eBay listing showed two NHL Kings sweaters of Jan and Roman Vopat, dated to 1996-97 or 1997-98, when both were part of the Kings roster. The Kings equipment guy apparently decided that no first initial identifiers were needed, as both Jan (33) and Roman (12) went with just VOPAT as their NOBs.

OBITUARIES

Chris “Flash” Richardson, a UNLV hoopster who went on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters, died in his sleep of what was believed to be natural causes. Richardson, 28, was on a tour of Japan with the legendary basketball entertainer team.

OBAMA: I DIDN’T VOTE FOR HIM, BUT I LIKE HIS THOUGHTS ON NCAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS!

WIN WITH THE WINTER CLASSIC

In-person and television viewers of the January 1st NHL Winter Classic between the Blackhawks and Red Wings at Wrigley Field will be eligible to be part of a contest co-sponsored by the NHL and their contracted uniform supplier, Reebok.

The contest is called “Find the Lost Logo”, and will requires fans to identify the one player on the ice (could be a Chicago or a Detroit skater) whose game sweater is missing the Reebok logo on the back of the neck. Fans attending the game will be given binoculars to assist them in participation. The complete promotional rules and terms can be found on both www.nhl.com and www.reebokhockey.com .

PAYTON AS #17 FOR THE BEARS

Yes, it did happen, but, no, it wasn’t Walter.

As I write these words, I am watching the end of regulation time in the Thursday night Bears-Saints game. The NFL Network, who broadcast the game, showed a film clip of Saints head coach Sean Payton in uniform number 17 for the Bears, in Sweetness’ final year in the NFL. Hall of Famer Payton wasn’t playing at the time coach Payton was wearing Bears navy and orange, however…Sean was the quarterback during the 3-game run of NFL contests involving replacement players during the mid-season strike. So, if you see a Wilson Bears jersey with a NOB of PAYTON and a “17” on the front, back and sleeves, it’s not a fake constructed by an idiot…it’s just not the Payton most collectors would want in their collections.

NEW RED SOX DESIGNS

The Boston ballclub has added one new style and updated a couple more to their 2009 uniform arsenal.

The existing red alternate jersey will now be a home-only alternate jersey, with a dark blue road alternate being added to the team supply. The blue will have the fancy BOSTON front in red trimmed in white.

Meanwhile, the standard road grays will be scaled back in color, with a new BOSTON front using the 1990s/2000s ornate BOSTON road front, but with a 1979-89 single toned dark blue lettering.
Also on the agenda is the return of the Hanging Sox logo, without the circular border, to be added as a left sleeve logo patch on at least 3 of the 4 styles (not sure about the home whites on this. The Hanging Sox logo will also adorn the front of a new alternate cap the team is adding to the longtime B front lid. The Red Sox team website has photos of the new road grey and blue alternate road jerseys.

NBA HARDWOOD CLASSICS

Some retro NBA styles have shown up again in 2008-09 Hardwood Classics uniforms made by Adidas for NBA game use.

On December 5th, the Washington Wizards broke out a home white design patterned after the unies of the Wizards’ long-ago predecessor, the Chicago Zephyrs of 1962-63. The design was part of the team’s 45th Anniversary celebration during the current season. Also, on December 10th, while the Cavs again wore their bright yellow early 70’s throwbacks, the New Orleans Hornets turned to the old ABA for inspiration with a retro New Orleans Bucs style. Kudos to all three for adding something new for game-used hoops collectors.

CHARLIE DIDN’T HUSTLE IN THIS ONE

Another eBay lot has come and gone which was so far off the beaten path in terms of authenticity, but still drew some bidders.

The item was purported to be a 1980s Reds home knit of Pete Rose. As is often the case when items like this one are highlighted, problems were multiple in nature. The NOB and numeric fonts bore serifs, something the Reds gamers of the era (home and road) did not. Also, the jersey was made by Wilson…fine for 1972-84 road knits, but not for home pullovers, which were the work of Rawlings from 1972-84, and by Goodman for the ’85-’86 time frame.

Of course, while assuredly not game-used, jerseys like this have a purpose for some hobbyists. If you want to get a jersey of decent quality autographed for display, don’t care about whether the item is a gamer or a game-issued piece, and keep the spending down, then you have a hobbyist-correct purpose for an item of value…just not a game-used one.

CHICAGO BASEBALL CONVENTIONS

For game-used equipment collectors and autograph seekers; the two Chicago baseball team off-season fan conventions will be two weeks apart. The Cubs event, at the Chicago Hilton & Towers, will be January 16-18. Two weekends later (January 30-February 1), the White Sox will have their turn. The Sox have tickets available as of this writing; the Cubs event, however, will require eBay bidding, a ticket broker, or trolling exhibitors for a pass, as the public sale of ducats sold out in 24 minutes. Closer to the time, I’ll cover what to expect at each event in the way of game-used items and autograph availability.

For someone willing to travel and not be intimidated by possible lousy winter weather, one could plan a long 4-day weekend by hitting the Cubs show on Friday and Saturday, and then heading down to St. Louis for the Cardinals fanfest, which runs from the 17th through the 19th, finishing up on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Monday.

TWO VOPATS, ONE NOB

An eBay listing showed two NHL Kings sweaters of Jan and Roman Vopat, dated to 1996-97 or 1997-98, when both were part of the Kings roster. The Kings equipment guy apparently decided that no first initial identifiers were needed, as both Jan (33) and Roman (12) went with just VOPAT as their NOBs.

OBITUARIES

Chris “Flash” Richardson, a UNLV hoopster who went on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters, died in his sleep of what was believed to be natural causes. Richardson, 28, was on a tour of Japan with the legendary basketball entertainer team.

OBAMA: I DIDN’T VOTE FOR HIM, BUT I LIKE HIS THOUGHTS ON NCAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS!

RESEARCHING REQUESTS TO AUGMENT MY OWN

I’ve got a couple of things I’m checking out at the moment that possibly Shirt readers can supply input on:

First, I noticed a new (old) Rawlings logo on the left sleeve of some 2007-08 Buffalo Bisons Triple-A jerseys. It’s a combination of the full name Rawlings script (introduced in 1987) and the oval with the upper case script R inside (first seen on minor league gamers in 1998), with the script on top and the oval centered underneath. Has anyone else seen this type of Rawlings logo on other minor league baseball jerseys? Contributions are appreciated.

Second, I received in a trade for a group of caps an oddity. It’s a New Era Cubs road lid with MLB tagging inside the cap, and looks normal except for one thing: the New Era logo is added on the left side of the crown. I’ve seen that on minor league caps, but, except for photo shoots, not on an MLB hat. Two other aspects muddle things up further: the cap shows some game wear, and the number under the brim (29) and the size (7 1/2) would match up to pinch-hitter extraordinaire Lenny Harris, who spent roughly half of 2003 as a Cub. Harris wore 29 as a Cub, and the size is identical to a Marlins cap Harris gave me a couple of years later. Can anyone account for other MLB caps, spring training or regular season, that carried the New Era logo on them? I’d love to hear about it either way. Thanks.

PADRES PATCH

The 2009 Padres home, road, and alternate blue jerseys will feature a team 40th Anniversary patch. The logo, viewable on both the MLB and Padres websites, will incorporate several elements, most notably the team’s current home uniform script and the traditional Swinging Friar logo.

MORE CAVS RETRO

Earlier this week, the Cleveland Cavaliers whipped out a new set of Hardwood Classics uniforms in a game against the Knicks. The new retro unies were patterned after an early 1970s Cavs design…bright yellow jerseys and trunk with red print thereon, and the team nickname bearing an underscore that almost looks like an oddly-plumed feather. These should be fun for hoops collectors when they hit the market.

CRUDDY CLEMENS

That’s not a commentary on the pitcher himself, but the status of an alleged 1987 Red Sox jersey of the Rocket recently up on eBay and offered as game-used. Sad to say, at least three notable problems stick out like a sore thumb:

Initially, 1987 was the year the Red Sox wore Fenway Park 75th Anniversary patches on the left sleeve. The offered jersey has none, and no mention of an imprint from removal is mentioned in the description.

Next, while the jersey bore a legitimate (albeit improperly evident) Rawlings flag tag, the red Rawlings label wasn’t the style used in 1987, but the wider version not seen in MLB gamers until the White Sox TBTC gamers worn in July, 1990.

Finally, the jersey is a Rawlings and is a home white…Rawlings only made the road greys from 1987-91, while Wilson made all home unies in that time span. It may well be poor research instead of willful deception, but it definitely is one to avoid.

MEET ME AT THE (WORLD’S) FAIR

Two occasions have come about in MLB history that found one or more teams paying homage to a locally held World’s Fair with a sleeve patch. It can be seen on many 1965-66 Topps cards of Mets where the red and blue New York World’s Fair patch was the left sleeve adornment of Mets home shirts in 1964-65 as well as a Pacific card from around 1988 of Yogi Berra showing the same patch on the right sleeve of Yogi Berra’s gamer.

Then, of course, there’s the 1939 New York World’s Fair patch, worn by the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants in 1938, as ’39 was when both leagues wore the Baseball Centennial patch. The recently auctioned 1938 Brooklyn coach’s jersey of Babe Ruth shows a good look at the logo (left sleeve for all three teams).

Not to forget, while the team never wore a patch reflecting it, the 1969 expansion Montreal Expos team was named after the Worlds Fair-like Expo ’67 exhibition in Montreal.

b> MORE BAT PROBLEMS

A thread on Game Used Forum had collector’s recently offering their thoughts on collecting bats that had blank knobs, number changed knobs, or blackened knobs, and the concerns about seller chicanery being possible regarding these. There is another “doctoring” technique that, while I’ve not seen it recently, was common with one forger/seller quite a while ago.

This crook’s trademark was, after buying store model Louisville Slugger bats, sanding the knobs flat to remove any trace of the knob engravings that would peg it as a retail bat. Several were dealt by him at early 1980’s Chicago club (CSCA) mini-shows. Of course, the rub was that LS bats have a slight rounding to the knobs, with his doctoring making them completely flat…OK for Adirondacks of the era, but not Louisvilles.

The jerk, who also forged autographs on gum cards, had a habit of giving refunds on items he was detected on, but would then turn around and resell it to the next unsuspecting buyer (the same goes for his phony signed cards). The promoter of these shows, respected Chicago promoter icon Bruce Paynter, dismissed early complaints by both me and other collectors, deciding that he couldn’t enact punishment on items he wasn’t an expert on.

Things went on unabated, until sometime afterwards, when the crook made the mistake of dealing Paynter a number of his forged autographed baseball cards. At that point, Paynter did take action, and the shady seller was barred from his shows. I like Bruce Paynter, but who knows how many other buyers got stung by this guy due to his early inaction on the matter?

MAKE IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG

One pet peeve I have is hobbyists who seem unable to spell or pronounce basic terms involved with the hobby. One example: football jersey sellers who decide they are offering “dureen”, instead of durene jerseys. Annoying, but understandable to a degree, as the fabric is not used on contemporary mainstream NFL jerseys, and would only be a familiar term to vintage football game-used enthusiasts. Admittedly, I even screwed up that one a couple of decades ago.

The one that really galls me these days is “authentification”, and it’s sister non-word, “authentify”. This isn’t merely an educated, but erroneous guess at a word’s spelling…it isn’t a legitimate word at all! You can have a certification or an authentication, but not an “authentification”. You can certify or authenticate, but you can’t “authentify”. The eBay sellers and hobby shop dealers should learn the lingo, as they don’t look or sound terribly intelligent using a non-existent word in their ads and with their customers.

JUICE…YOU BROUGHT IT ON YOURSELF!

RESEARCHING REQUESTS TO AUGMENT MY OWN

I’ve got a couple of things I’m checking out at the moment that possibly Shirt readers can supply input on:

First, I noticed a new (old) Rawlings logo on the left sleeve of some 2007-08 Buffalo Bisons Triple-A jerseys. It’s a combination of the full name Rawlings script (introduced in 1987) and the oval with the upper case script R inside (first seen on minor league gamers in 1998), with the script on top and the oval centered underneath. Has anyone else seen this type of Rawlings logo on other minor league baseball jerseys? Contributions are appreciated.

Second, I received in a trade for a group of caps an oddity. It’s a New Era Cubs road lid with MLB tagging inside the cap, and looks normal except for one thing: the New Era logo is added on the left side of the crown. I’ve seen that on minor league caps, but, except for photo shoots, not on an MLB hat. Two other aspects muddle things up further: the cap shows some game wear, and the number under the brim (29) and the size (7 1/2) would match up to pinch-hitter extraordinaire Lenny Harris, who spent roughly half of 2003 as a Cub. Harris wore 29 as a Cub, and the size is identical to a Marlins cap Harris gave me a couple of years later. Can anyone account for other MLB caps, spring training or regular season, that carried the New Era logo on them? I’d love to hear about it either way. Thanks.

PADRES PATCH

The 2009 Padres home, road, and alternate blue jerseys will feature a team 40th Anniversary patch. The logo, viewable on both the MLB and Padres websites, will incorporate several elements, most notably the team’s current home uniform script and the traditional Swinging Friar logo.

MORE CAVS RETRO

Earlier this week, the Cleveland Cavaliers whipped out a new set of Hardwood Classics uniforms in a game against the Knicks. The new retro unies were patterned after an early 1970s Cavs design…bright yellow jerseys and trunk with red print thereon, and the team nickname bearing an underscore that almost looks like an oddly-plumed feather. These should be fun for hoops collectors when they hit the market.

CRUDDY CLEMENS

That’s not a commentary on the pitcher himself, but the status of an alleged 1987 Red Sox jersey of the Rocket recently up on eBay and offered as game-used. Sad to say, at least three notable problems stick out like a sore thumb:

Initially, 1987 was the year the Red Sox wore Fenway Park 75th Anniversary patches on the left sleeve. The offered jersey has none, and no mention of an imprint from removal is mentioned in the description.

Next, while the jersey bore a legitimate (albeit improperly evident) Rawlings flag tag, the red Rawlings label wasn’t the style used in 1987, but the wider version not seen in MLB gamers until the White Sox TBTC gamers worn in July, 1990.

Finally, the jersey is a Rawlings and is a home white…Rawlings only made the road greys from 1987-91, while Wilson made all home unies in that time span. It may well be poor research instead of willful deception, but it definitely is one to avoid.

MEET ME AT THE (WORLD’S) FAIR

Two occasions have come about in MLB history that found one or more teams paying homage to a locally held World’s Fair with a sleeve patch. It can be seen on many 1965-66 Topps cards of Mets where the red and blue New York World’s Fair patch was the left sleeve adornment of Mets home shirts in 1964-65 as well as a Pacific card from around 1988 of Yogi Berra showing the same patch on the right sleeve of Yogi Berra’s gamer.

Then, of course, there’s the 1939 New York World’s Fair patch, worn by the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants in 1938, as ’39 was when both leagues wore the Baseball Centennial patch. The recently auctioned 1938 Brooklyn coach’s jersey of Babe Ruth shows a good look at the logo (left sleeve for all three teams).

Not to forget, while the team never wore a patch reflecting it, the 1969 expansion Montreal Expos team was named after the Worlds Fair-like Expo ’67 exhibition in Montreal.

b> MORE BAT PROBLEMS

A thread on Game Used Forum had collector’s recently offering their thoughts on collecting bats that had blank knobs, number changed knobs, or blackened knobs, and the concerns about seller chicanery being possible regarding these. There is another “doctoring” technique that, while I’ve not seen it recently, was common with one forger/seller quite a while ago.

This crook’s trademark was, after buying store model Louisville Slugger bats, sanding the knobs flat to remove any trace of the knob engravings that would peg it as a retail bat. Several were dealt by him at early 1980’s Chicago club (CSCA) mini-shows. Of course, the rub was that LS bats have a slight rounding to the knobs, with his doctoring making them completely flat…OK for Adirondacks of the era, but not Louisvilles.

The jerk, who also forged autographs on gum cards, had a habit of giving refunds on items he was detected on, but would then turn around and resell it to the next unsuspecting buyer (the same goes for his phony signed cards). The promoter of these shows, respected Chicago promoter icon Bruce Paynter, dismissed early complaints by both me and other collectors, deciding that he couldn’t enact punishment on items he wasn’t an expert on.

Things went on unabated, until sometime afterwards, when the crook made the mistake of dealing Paynter a number of his forged autographed baseball cards. At that point, Paynter did take action, and the shady seller was barred from his shows. I like Bruce Paynter, but who knows how many other buyers got stung by this guy due to his early inaction on the matter?

MAKE IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG

One pet peeve I have is hobbyists who seem unable to spell or pronounce basic terms involved with the hobby. One example: football jersey sellers who decide they are offering “dureen”, instead of durene jerseys. Annoying, but understandable to a degree, as the fabric is not used on contemporary mainstream NFL jerseys, and would only be a familiar term to vintage football game-used enthusiasts. Admittedly, I even screwed up that one a couple of decades ago.

The one that really galls me these days is “authentification”, and it’s sister non-word, “authentify”. This isn’t merely an educated, but erroneous guess at a word’s spelling…it isn’t a legitimate word at all! You can have a certification or an authentication, but not an “authentification”. You can certify or authenticate, but you can’t “authentify”. The eBay sellers and hobby shop dealers should learn the lingo, as they don’t look or sound terribly intelligent using a non-existent word in their ads and with their customers.

JUICE…YOU BROUGHT IT ON YOURSELF!

ONE JERSEY, TWO VERSIONS, TWO SEASONS

Having seen one being offered on eBay, a few words on the history of the retro 1964 White Sox Turn Back The Clock home jerseys is in order. The jersey up on eBay is fine, but the history is a bit more convoluted on this style than your average TBTC unie.

The jerseys were ordered, in part, in 1994, and new players for 1995 on the Sox were manufactured that year. The style, a re-do of the 1964 home pinstriped design, was originally intended to be used in a September 1994 contest against the Yankees. The game, unfortunately, was lost due to the labor dispute that also wiped out the 1994 World Series.

While Wilson made both the first and second wave of these gamers, the 1994 and 1995 creations were distinguishable from each other due to variant numeric fonts and NOB fonts. The 1994 versions had strip tagging in the tail that was removed on virtually every one. The one being offered on eBay, a 1995-made John Kruk, had less detailed tagging. The jerseys were eventually worn in 1995 in a Sox-Orioles game at New Comiskey Park.

An added feature not present on the 1964 originals…a winged sock logo patch…was added to the mid-1990s version. Another unique aspect, at least in comparison to the first Pale Hose TBTC venture, was the jerseys only having one set produced, as the 1990 TBTCs had two sets made…presumably one for the team and one for the player to keep, if desired.

Finally, availability is minimal and prices are high, due in some degree to the subsequent team auction of these. One area store owner, a team sponsor at the time, won roughly 10 of them in the auction, paying four figures for each of the ten, and, due to the single set made, assuming (in error, of course) that he was going to clean up on selling them to rank and file hobbyists. It’s a must for White Sox style collectors, albeit not a readily available nor an inexpensive one.

OBITUARIES

Bep Guidolin, the youngest player ever to appear in an NHL game, passed away from a stroke at age 82. Guidolin was 16 years and 11 months of age when he skated for the Boston Bruins on November 12, 1942. His nine-year NHL career also found him in the employ of Detroit and Chicago.

Floyd Weaver, a MLB pitcher sporadically from 1962-71, died, according to the Baseball Almanac website. Weaver was an Indians moundsman in 1962 and 1965, his most active year in the Bigs. He also appeared with the 1970 White Sox and the 1971 Brewers. He was 67 on his date of death (November 17).

Tom Burgess, a longtime baseball lifer with a brief MLB playing career and a slightly longer coaching career in The Show, died at age 81. Burgess played briefly for the 1954 Cardinals and the 1962 Angels, and spent decades managing and coaching in the pros, with MLB stops with the Mets (1977) and Braves (1978).

SO LONG KERRY WOOD…YOU WILL BE MISSED BY CUBS FANS.

ONE JERSEY, TWO VERSIONS, TWO SEASONS

Having seen one being offered on eBay, a few words on the history of the retro 1964 White Sox Turn Back The Clock home jerseys is in order. The jersey up on eBay is fine, but the history is a bit more convoluted on this style than your average TBTC unie.

The jerseys were ordered, in part, in 1994, and new players for 1995 on the Sox were manufactured that year. The style, a re-do of the 1964 home pinstriped design, was originally intended to be used in a September 1994 contest against the Yankees. The game, unfortunately, was lost due to the labor dispute that also wiped out the 1994 World Series.

While Wilson made both the first and second wave of these gamers, the 1994 and 1995 creations were distinguishable from each other due to variant numeric fonts and NOB fonts. The 1994 versions had strip tagging in the tail that was removed on virtually every one. The one being offered on eBay, a 1995-made John Kruk, had less detailed tagging. The jerseys were eventually worn in 1995 in a Sox-Orioles game at New Comiskey Park.

An added feature not present on the 1964 originals…a winged sock logo patch…was added to the mid-1990s version. Another unique aspect, at least in comparison to the first Pale Hose TBTC venture, was the jerseys only having one set produced, as the 1990 TBTCs had two sets made…presumably one for the team and one for the player to keep, if desired.

Finally, availability is minimal and prices are high, due in some degree to the subsequent team auction of these. One area store owner, a team sponsor at the time, won roughly 10 of them in the auction, paying four figures for each of the ten, and, due to the single set made, assuming (in error, of course) that he was going to clean up on selling them to rank and file hobbyists. It’s a must for White Sox style collectors, albeit not a readily available nor an inexpensive one.

OBITUARIES

Bep Guidolin, the youngest player ever to appear in an NHL game, passed away from a stroke at age 82. Guidolin was 16 years and 11 months of age when he skated for the Boston Bruins on November 12, 1942. His nine-year NHL career also found him in the employ of Detroit and Chicago.

Floyd Weaver, a MLB pitcher sporadically from 1962-71, died, according to the Baseball Almanac website. Weaver was an Indians moundsman in 1962 and 1965, his most active year in the Bigs. He also appeared with the 1970 White Sox and the 1971 Brewers. He was 67 on his date of death (November 17).

Tom Burgess, a longtime baseball lifer with a brief MLB playing career and a slightly longer coaching career in The Show, died at age 81. Burgess played briefly for the 1954 Cardinals and the 1962 Angels, and spent decades managing and coaching in the pros, with MLB stops with the Mets (1977) and Braves (1978).

SO LONG KERRY WOOD…YOU WILL BE MISSED BY CUBS FANS.

OBSERVATIONS OF ITEMS ON EBAY

Three things of note viewed in the last week regarding the last 25 years:

Another one of the year tagged 1983 Wilson salesman’s samples has been put up for bid, again misadvertised (likely through lack of knowledge) as game-used. The item was one of the maroon BP jerseys the Phillies ordered from Wilson that year, and reflecting Pete Rose’s identity. Of course, the two consistent telltale signs of a 1983 Wilson tagged sample are present: the presence of a box tag with an embroidered “83” inside, placed on the tail. I can never recall seeing a team-issued Wilson Phillies BP top (1979-86) that carried any tagging other than the collar-located manufacturer label (correct me if I am in error, Howard). Second, all Phils BPs from this time frame had NOBs, whereas this one didn’t…normal for this unusual tagged genre when the real, team issued designs carry a NOB. These samples can throw novice sellers and/or collectors, most of whom are satisfied seeing tags, and not schooled enough to know what else is out of place.

On a 2000 front, while spring training of that year was the debut of the MLB logo on the back of a jersey neck, it looks as if a scant few 2000 spring-worn items may be bereft of this new addition. Recently offered were two Colorado Rockies BP tops that had the 2000-present Majestic sleeve logo. While one was a star, the other was a lesser-known player (OF Derrick Gibson) who was cut before the Rox headed northeast to Denver. Neither carried the MLB logo, even though the sleeve logos on both were the style first introduced in 2000. This anomaly likely is limited in examples to be found, but it apparently does exist, albeit in very limited fashion.

Finally, an email pal from Game Used Forum was curious about a 1994 Frank Thomas White Sox game-used batting helmet that bore the image of a flag on the back. The flag wasn’t of the USA, nor Canada, nor any of the Central or South American nations sending players to the Majors. Ditto for the Caribbean islands…not from there, either.

The flag was white, with a blue horizontal stripe running across both the top and bottom, with four red stars between them. After viewing it, I knew what I was seeing immediately. The flag was the city flag for Chicago. I don’t remember all the details of the 2 stripes/4 stars design, but do recall that the four red stars represented major moments in Chicago history, two of which were the Chicago fire (the real one, not the MLS or WFL teams) and the Columbian Exposition of 1892. Still, it was the first time I had seen a city flag on a Major League wearable…can anyone share other examples?

OVER-RESTORED FLANNELS

One major auction, recently completed, had two perfectly legitimate flannels, one with advertised restoration, and both actually were not offered the way they originally were due to to too much being on the jersey

First off, there was a 1969 Athletics home flannel of Bert Campaneris with acknowledged restorations of the front logo and the MLB100 patch. Problem is, the 1969 jerseys had just the large A on the front, while the 1970 styles added the ” ‘s ” to the big A. This 1969 jersey was restored with a 1970 front logo. This means one of two things: either the jersey is an improperly restored 1969 vest, or it’s a vest recycled for 1970 (which Oakland sometimes did) that had the NOB removed and not restored. I cannot say for sure either way, as I’m going on photos, not a hands-on inspection…wonder which of the two it was?

Second, a 1969 Wilson Seattle Pilots road flannel of an unknown player was offered. The front, back and tag were all as they were back in 1969…but a MLB100 patch (100th Anniversary of Major League Baseball) was added to the left sleeve…something none of the four expansion teams of that year (also including the Expos, Padres and Royals) wore on their spring flannels. A bonus in a way, bu still not part of the original package that was incorrectly added.

OBITUARIES

John Karras, University of Illinois rushing star who played one season with the NFL Chicago Cardinals, died of liver failure. He was 80.

Bob Jeter, an 11-year veteran in the NFL who started in both Super Bowls 1 and 2 for the Packers, fell victim at age 71 to cardiac arrest. Jeter was also on the 1965 pre-Super Bowl NFL Championship squad, putting in 8 seasons (1963-70) with the Pack, followed by three years (1971-73) with some mediocre Bears teams.

Pete Newell, the renowned coach of the big men in basketball, died at age 93. In addition to his tutoring of Shaquille O’Neal and others, he coached the NCAA California hoops team to the 1959 National Title, followed by a gold medal winner with the US Olympic team in 1960.

Last, but not least, the former president of the Carolina League, Jim Mills, passed away November 14 after suffering a stroke roughly two months earlier. His tenure (1977-83) saw the advanced Class A league gain a large upward spike in attendance, as well as returning Carolina League baseball to Durham, North Carolina (think of the movie Bull Durham).

DOES ANYONE REALLY WANT THE NFC NORTH TITLE…ANYONE?

OBSERVATIONS OF ITEMS ON EBAY

Three things of note viewed in the last week regarding the last 25 years:

Another one of the year tagged 1983 Wilson salesman’s samples has been put up for bid, again misadvertised (likely through lack of knowledge) as game-used. The item was one of the maroon BP jerseys the Phillies ordered from Wilson that year, and reflecting Pete Rose’s identity. Of course, the two consistent telltale signs of a 1983 Wilson tagged sample are present: the presence of a box tag with an embroidered “83” inside, placed on the tail. I can never recall seeing a team-issued Wilson Phillies BP top (1979-86) that carried any tagging other than the collar-located manufacturer label (correct me if I am in error, Howard). Second, all Phils BPs from this time frame had NOBs, whereas this one didn’t…normal for this unusual tagged genre when the real, team issued designs carry a NOB. These samples can throw novice sellers and/or collectors, most of whom are satisfied seeing tags, and not schooled enough to know what else is out of place.

On a 2000 front, while spring training of that year was the debut of the MLB logo on the back of a jersey neck, it looks as if a scant few 2000 spring-worn items may be bereft of this new addition. Recently offered were two Colorado Rockies BP tops that had the 2000-present Majestic sleeve logo. While one was a star, the other was a lesser-known player (OF Derrick Gibson) who was cut before the Rox headed northeast to Denver. Neither carried the MLB logo, even though the sleeve logos on both were the style first introduced in 2000. This anomaly likely is limited in examples to be found, but it apparently does exist, albeit in very limited fashion.

Finally, an email pal from Game Used Forum was curious about a 1994 Frank Thomas White Sox game-used batting helmet that bore the image of a flag on the back. The flag wasn’t of the USA, nor Canada, nor any of the Central or South American nations sending players to the Majors. Ditto for the Caribbean islands…not from there, either.

The flag was white, with a blue horizontal stripe running across both the top and bottom, with four red stars between them. After viewing it, I knew what I was seeing immediately. The flag was the city flag for Chicago. I don’t remember all the details of the 2 stripes/4 stars design, but do recall that the four red stars represented major moments in Chicago history, two of which were the Chicago fire (the real one, not the MLS or WFL teams) and the Columbian Exposition of 1892. Still, it was the first time I had seen a city flag on a Major League wearable…can anyone share other examples?

OVER-RESTORED FLANNELS

One major auction, recently completed, had two perfectly legitimate flannels, one with advertised restoration, and both actually were not offered the way they originally were due to to too much being on the jersey

First off, there was a 1969 Athletics home flannel of Bert Campaneris with acknowledged restorations of the front logo and the MLB100 patch. Problem is, the 1969 jerseys had just the large A on the front, while the 1970 styles added the ” ‘s ” to the big A. This 1969 jersey was restored with a 1970 front logo. This means one of two things: either the jersey is an improperly restored 1969 vest, or it’s a vest recycled for 1970 (which Oakland sometimes did) that had the NOB removed and not restored. I cannot say for sure either way, as I’m going on photos, not a hands-on inspection…wonder which of the two it was?

Second, a 1969 Wilson Seattle Pilots road flannel of an unknown player was offered. The front, back and tag were all as they were back in 1969…but a MLB100 patch (100th Anniversary of Major League Baseball) was added to the left sleeve…something none of the four expansion teams of that year (also including the Expos, Padres and Royals) wore on their spring flannels. A bonus in a way, bu still not part of the original package that was incorrectly added.

OBITUARIES

John Karras, University of Illinois rushing star who played one season with the NFL Chicago Cardinals, died of liver failure. He was 80.

Bob Jeter, an 11-year veteran in the NFL who started in both Super Bowls 1 and 2 for the Packers, fell victim at age 71 to cardiac arrest. Jeter was also on the 1965 pre-Super Bowl NFL Championship squad, putting in 8 seasons (1963-70) with the Pack, followed by three years (1971-73) with some mediocre Bears teams.

Pete Newell, the renowned coach of the big men in basketball, died at age 93. In addition to his tutoring of Shaquille O’Neal and others, he coached the NCAA California hoops team to the 1959 National Title, followed by a gold medal winner with the US Olympic team in 1960.

Last, but not least, the former president of the Carolina League, Jim Mills, passed away November 14 after suffering a stroke roughly two months earlier. His tenure (1977-83) saw the advanced Class A league gain a large upward spike in attendance, as well as returning Carolina League baseball to Durham, North Carolina (think of the movie Bull Durham).

DOES ANYONE REALLY WANT THE NFC NORTH TITLE…ANYONE?

MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: When did Sand-Knit go from being Medalist Sand-Knit to MacGregor Sand-Knit?

A: The changeover was first seen on 1985 MLB jerseys and pants, as that season, these items have been seen with two Medalist tags, two MacGregor tags, or one of each. The last stand of MacGregor Sand-Knit tags (and Sand-Knit itself) was seen on a handful of 1990 NFL jerseys (such as Green Bay).

Q: When did the NFL first use the neck shield on their jerseys?

A: The original design…the league shield by itself, first was used in 1991. A recent eBay item showed a Raiders Marcus Allen jersey made by Wilson from 1991 offered (likely by lack of research) as a 1984-85 gamer…years when there was not only no neck shield, but when Sand-Knit supplied the silver-and-black. The second version, with the shield inside an NFL Equipment mini-patch, was first used in 2002, with many recycled 2001 Reebok gamers also showing the newer insignia. The neck adornment was updated again in 2008, with the shield itself altered to show only 8 stars (one for each NFL division) in the blue field on top.

Q: Your reports in the past on Michael Jordan’s White Sox uniform in the 1994 April exhibition at Wrigley Field mention MJ’s Wilson-made, patchless shirt. What did the rest of the Sox players wear that day?

A: Naturally, MJ’s fellow Chisox wore the same black jerseys that His Airness did. However, the other players wore Russell jerseys with the 125th Anniversary patch present on the right sleeve. Given that other minor leaguers were brought in for the game by both teams, it makes sense that some 1994 Russell alternate jerseys figured to be only game-issued were worn in that Cubs-Sox friendly, as well.

Q: Did Russell produce any other professional gamers besides 1992-93 MLB jerseys with the intera tag?

A: The intera label also appears in a small number of NFL jerseys (Rams, Eagles, and a couple of others) from the same time frame.

In addition, contrary to my initial report that the Intera tag was not used in retail jerseys, Rudy at Game Used Forum made mention of the special fabric tag being in a retail jersey he owns, meaning, of course, there’s likely more out there.

Q: It was well publicized in 1998 as to the return of Mark McGwire’s 62nd home run by a Cardinals groundskeeper who caught it. What went on with Sammy Sosa’s 62nd that year?

A: Sosa hit both home runs 61 and 62 in the same game. And, unlike McGwire’s 62nd, this one was significantly messier. The ball was originally retrieved in an alley that runs between and parallel to Sheffield and Kenmore Avenues by longtime Ballhawk Moe Mullins. He was immediately buried in a fan pile-on to the extent that he was unable to breathe. Letting the ball loose, it was scooped up by a previously uninvolved fan, Brandon Cunningham. Cunningham, with the assistance of CPD officers not aware that he wasn’t the rightful owner of the prized baseball, helped him make a retreat. The ensuing debacle involved an injunction by Mullins to prevent Cunningham from selling the ball, an approach from Judge Judy’s TV show to mediate the case in her TV court (Cunningham agreed, but Mullins declined) and two major memorabilia dealers in Chicago refusing to either buy or auction the ball based upon Cunningham’s taking advantage of a helpless Mullins. Eventually, Cunningham gave the ball back to Sosa, and, disgustingly, was pictured with Sosa in a 1999 Hall of Fame display honoring people who didn’t decide to cash in on McGwire or Sosa homers over #61. Mullins, sadly, gained no mention in the Cooperstown exhibit.

OF CANUCKS AND CHARLOTTE

The Vancouver Canucks unveiled a third jersey this past week to be worn 15 times this season, beginning with last night’s game. The sweater will use the original blue, green and white color scheme and will incorporate all three Canucks logos (the stick and rink, the V and Johnny Canuck).

As far as Charlotte goes, the city’s current NBA squad (the Bobcats) are wearing a team 5th Anniversary patch this season.

RING THEFT

Report from the Canadian Press:
The residence of one of the Bronfman brothers (not said at this time whether it was Peter or Edward) was victimized by a $1 million dollar burglary. Among the items taken were two Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup rings, received by the brothers, who were co-owners of the Habs at the time the rings were earned. Stolen were rings from the 1973-74 and 1975-76 championship seasons.

OBITUARIES

Preacher Roe, pitcher for the Cardinals, Pirates and Dodgers, died of colon cancer at age 92. Roe was best remembered for his years in Brooklyn (1948-54), which included multiple World Series starts, and a Cliff Lee-like 22-3 won-lost record, netting him the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year award, as there was no Cy Young Award issued until 1956.

Herb Score, former Indians and White Sox pitcher and longtime Tribe broadcaster, succumbed to multiple health problems at age 75. His career began in 1955, when he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The darkest day of his career, though came in 1957. In a May 7 game against the Yankees, Score was smashed in the face by a line drive off the back of New York’s Gil McDougald. Score returned to pitching, but was never the same again, as a new delivery style employed to avoid another line drive beaning caused arm injuries that ended his career after the 1962 season.

Finally, Frank Williams, older brother of Hall of Famer Billy Williams, died as the result of a March stroke. He was 72. Williams played in the minors for 4 years, and, although he never made it to the Majors, was an accomplished player for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. He played in the last Negro League East-West All-Star Game, held at Comiskey Park.

JOEY WHO?? CONGRATULATIONS GEOVANNY SOTO, 2008 NL ROY!

MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: When did Sand-Knit go from being Medalist Sand-Knit to MacGregor Sand-Knit?

A: The changeover was first seen on 1985 MLB jerseys and pants, as that season, these items have been seen with two Medalist tags, two MacGregor tags, or one of each. The last stand of MacGregor Sand-Knit tags (and Sand-Knit itself) was seen on a handful of 1990 NFL jerseys (such as Green Bay).

Q: When did the NFL first use the neck shield on their jerseys?

A: The original design…the league shield by itself, first was used in 1991. A recent eBay item showed a Raiders Marcus Allen jersey made by Wilson from 1991 offered (likely by lack of research) as a 1984-85 gamer…years when there was not only no neck shield, but when Sand-Knit supplied the silver-and-black. The second version, with the shield inside an NFL Equipment mini-patch, was first used in 2002, with many recycled 2001 Reebok gamers also showing the newer insignia. The neck adornment was updated again in 2008, with the shield itself altered to show only 8 stars (one for each NFL division) in the blue field on top.

Q: Your reports in the past on Michael Jordan’s White Sox uniform in the 1994 April exhibition at Wrigley Field mention MJ’s Wilson-made, patchless shirt. What did the rest of the Sox players wear that day?

A: Naturally, MJ’s fellow Chisox wore the same black jerseys that His Airness did. However, the other players wore Russell jerseys with the 125th Anniversary patch present on the right sleeve. Given that other minor leaguers were brought in for the game by both teams, it makes sense that some 1994 Russell alternate jerseys figured to be only game-issued were worn in that Cubs-Sox friendly, as well.

Q: Did Russell produce any other professional gamers besides 1992-93 MLB jerseys with the intera tag?

A: The intera label also appears in a small number of NFL jerseys (Rams, Eagles, and a couple of others) from the same time frame.

In addition, contrary to my initial report that the Intera tag was not used in retail jerseys, Rudy at Game Used Forum made mention of the special fabric tag being in a retail jersey he owns, meaning, of course, there’s likely more out there.

Q: It was well publicized in 1998 as to the return of Mark McGwire’s 62nd home run by a Cardinals groundskeeper who caught it. What went on with Sammy Sosa’s 62nd that year?

A: Sosa hit both home runs 61 and 62 in the same game. And, unlike McGwire’s 62nd, this one was significantly messier. The ball was originally retrieved in an alley that runs between and parallel to Sheffield and Kenmore Avenues by longtime Ballhawk Moe Mullins. He was immediately buried in a fan pile-on to the extent that he was unable to breathe. Letting the ball loose, it was scooped up by a previously uninvolved fan, Brandon Cunningham. Cunningham, with the assistance of CPD officers not aware that he wasn’t the rightful owner of the prized baseball, helped him make a retreat. The ensuing debacle involved an injunction by Mullins to prevent Cunningham from selling the ball, an approach from Judge Judy’s TV show to mediate the case in her TV court (Cunningham agreed, but Mullins declined) and two major memorabilia dealers in Chicago refusing to either buy or auction the ball based upon Cunningham’s taking advantage of a helpless Mullins. Eventually, Cunningham gave the ball back to Sosa, and, disgustingly, was pictured with Sosa in a 1999 Hall of Fame display honoring people who didn’t decide to cash in on McGwire or Sosa homers over #61. Mullins, sadly, gained no mention in the Cooperstown exhibit.

OF CANUCKS AND CHARLOTTE

The Vancouver Canucks unveiled a third jersey this past week to be worn 15 times this season, beginning with last night’s game. The sweater will use the original blue, green and white color scheme and will incorporate all three Canucks logos (the stick and rink, the V and Johnny Canuck).

As far as Charlotte goes, the city’s current NBA squad (the Bobcats) are wearing a team 5th Anniversary patch this season.

RING THEFT

Report from the Canadian Press:
The residence of one of the Bronfman brothers (not said at this time whether it was Peter or Edward) was victimized by a $1 million dollar burglary. Among the items taken were two Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup rings, received by the brothers, who were co-owners of the Habs at the time the rings were earned. Stolen were rings from the 1973-74 and 1975-76 championship seasons.

OBITUARIES

Preacher Roe, pitcher for the Cardinals, Pirates and Dodgers, died of colon cancer at age 92. Roe was best remembered for his years in Brooklyn (1948-54), which included multiple World Series starts, and a Cliff Lee-like 22-3 won-lost record, netting him the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year award, as there was no Cy Young Award issued until 1956.

Herb Score, former Indians and White Sox pitcher and longtime Tribe broadcaster, succumbed to multiple health problems at age 75. His career began in 1955, when he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The darkest day of his career, though came in 1957. In a May 7 game against the Yankees, Score was smashed in the face by a line drive off the back of New York’s Gil McDougald. Score returned to pitching, but was never the same again, as a new delivery style employed to avoid another line drive beaning caused arm injuries that ended his career after the 1962 season.

Finally, Frank Williams, older brother of Hall of Famer Billy Williams, died as the result of a March stroke. He was 72. Williams played in the minors for 4 years, and, although he never made it to the Majors, was an accomplished player for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. He played in the last Negro League East-West All-Star Game, held at Comiskey Park.

JOEY WHO?? CONGRATULATIONS GEOVANNY SOTO, 2008 NL ROY!

MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: I have an Oakland A’s BP jersey, size large #3. It’s from either 1998 or 1999. Can you ID the player? I’m hoping it’s Eric Chavez.

A: Chavez was a member of the A’s in both 1998 and 1999. However, his size (6-0, 204) and his having worn #30 in 1998 likely takes him out of the picture. In ’98. diminutive infielder Bip Roberts (5-8, 165) wore #3, making it to likely be his.

Q: On the 1992 White Sox jerseys that featured the memoriam diamond on the sleeve, what color is the logo on the black alternate jerseys?

A: While the logo, a memoriam for Jerry Reinsdorf’s personal assistant, Sheri Berto, and longtime team front office employees Don Unferth and Millie Johnson, was black on the home whites and road greys, th black alternates used a silver logo. All three logos were actually part of the sleeve fabric, not sewn-on patches.

Q: Could you tell me a little about Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods?

A: The Hall of Famers’ sporting goods company was a minor player in the uniform supplier market in the 1970s. For baseball, they manufactured an orange alternate knit jersey in 1971 for the Orioles, which, as of a few years ago, saw only two common player specimens, both of the NOBR variety, in the organized hobby. They also made Old-Timers Game jerseys for some Baltimore-based events, such as a 10-year reunion of the 1966 World Champs, in flannel, no less. They also were the supplier of a team which never got of the ground, the ABA Baltimore Claws, of which at least one prototype saw auction bidding in the past year.

AUCTION ACTION

The second round of NHL auctions bidding (www.nhl.com) for preseason Europe exhibitions will be active until the evening of November 13. It will involve the white Ottawa Senators sweaters worn in Stockholm and the blue Rangers gamers from the Prague games.

Also ending on November 13 will be NBA Rookie Photo Shoot event-worn jerseys of Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and Robin Lopez. Check these out at www.nba.com .

WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?

With Barack Obama’s recent election, this means that the last two Democratic First Ladies will be Chicago natives and baseball fans. It makes me wonder: will Michelle Obama be tapped to throw out the first pitch at the White Sox 2009 home opener? And, if so, will it be more or less controversial than the 1993 ceremony at Wrigley Field involving Hillary Clinton?

In April of 1993, Clinton, born in the Chicago suburbs and raised as a Cub fan, did the honors during which a) Harry Caray gave her a kiss in the broadcast booth, b)her introduction brought on a crowd reaction that was pretty much evenly split between cheers and boos, and c) several Cubs players (including Mark Grace and Randy Myers) making a political statement by refusing to autograph a team-signed jersey the Cubs were planning to gift her with. Stay tuned for further developments.

DC DOINGS

You can check the team’s website (www.nationals.com) for more information, but, to summarize, the Nationals will have different uniforms for 2009. The team will wear 4 different styles, with the white home, grey road and red alternate jerseys gaining new sleeve patches and front logos. The red jersey (now with the cap’s curly W) will become a home alternate jersey, with a blue shirt showing an diagonally interlocking DC emblem with a red, white and blue color scheme becoming the new road alternate jersey, in the manner of what Atlanta did for the 2008 season.

OBITUARIES

Two athletes left our earthly realm this past week-plus, both at age 61. The first was former Houston Astros 1B-PH Rafael Batista. Batista played for the Astros in 1973 and 1975, and, according to the Baseball Almanac website, died November 1.

Also deceased at age 61 was G. Larry James, who succumbed to cancer. James was a US Olympian who won track-related medals, gold and silver, in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

SORRY, COLLECTORS…2009 CUBS CONVENTION SOLD OUT IN 24 MINUTES

MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: I have an Oakland A’s BP jersey, size large #3. It’s from either 1998 or 1999. Can you ID the player? I’m hoping it’s Eric Chavez.

A: Chavez was a member of the A’s in both 1998 and 1999. However, his size (6-0, 204) and his having worn #30 in 1998 likely takes him out of the picture. In ’98. diminutive infielder Bip Roberts (5-8, 165) wore #3, making it to likely be his.

Q: On the 1992 White Sox jerseys that featured the memoriam diamond on the sleeve, what color is the logo on the black alternate jerseys?

A: While the logo, a memoriam for Jerry Reinsdorf’s personal assistant, Sheri Berto, and longtime team front office employees Don Unferth and Millie Johnson, was black on the home whites and road greys, th black alternates used a silver logo. All three logos were actually part of the sleeve fabric, not sewn-on patches.

Q: Could you tell me a little about Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods?

A: The Hall of Famers’ sporting goods company was a minor player in the uniform supplier market in the 1970s. For baseball, they manufactured an orange alternate knit jersey in 1971 for the Orioles, which, as of a few years ago, saw only two common player specimens, both of the NOBR variety, in the organized hobby. They also made Old-Timers Game jerseys for some Baltimore-based events, such as a 10-year reunion of the 1966 World Champs, in flannel, no less. They also were the supplier of a team which never got of the ground, the ABA Baltimore Claws, of which at least one prototype saw auction bidding in the past year.

AUCTION ACTION

The second round of NHL auctions bidding (www.nhl.com) for preseason Europe exhibitions will be active until the evening of November 13. It will involve the white Ottawa Senators sweaters worn in Stockholm and the blue Rangers gamers from the Prague games.

Also ending on November 13 will be NBA Rookie Photo Shoot event-worn jerseys of Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and Robin Lopez. Check these out at www.nba.com .

WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?

With Barack Obama’s recent election, this means that the last two Democratic First Ladies will be Chicago natives and baseball fans. It makes me wonder: will Michelle Obama be tapped to throw out the first pitch at the White Sox 2009 home opener? And, if so, will it be more or less controversial than the 1993 ceremony at Wrigley Field involving Hillary Clinton?

In April of 1993, Clinton, born in the Chicago suburbs and raised as a Cub fan, did the honors during which a) Harry Caray gave her a kiss in the broadcast booth, b)her introduction brought on a crowd reaction that was pretty much evenly split between cheers and boos, and c) several Cubs players (including Mark Grace and Randy Myers) making a political statement by refusing to autograph a team-signed jersey the Cubs were planning to gift her with. Stay tuned for further developments.

DC DOINGS

You can check the team’s website (www.nationals.com) for more information, but, to summarize, the Nationals will have different uniforms for 2009. The team will wear 4 different styles, with the white home, grey road and red alternate jerseys gaining new sleeve patches and front logos. The red jersey (now with the cap’s curly W) will become a home alternate jersey, with a blue shirt showing an diagonally interlocking DC emblem with a red, white and blue color scheme becoming the new road alternate jersey, in the manner of what Atlanta did for the 2008 season.

OBITUARIES

Two athletes left our earthly realm this past week-plus, both at age 61. The first was former Houston Astros 1B-PH Rafael Batista. Batista played for the Astros in 1973 and 1975, and, according to the Baseball Almanac website, died November 1.

Also deceased at age 61 was G. Larry James, who succumbed to cancer. James was a US Olympian who won track-related medals, gold and silver, in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

SORRY, COLLECTORS…2009 CUBS CONVENTION SOLD OUT IN 24 MINUTES

MLB MANUFACTURER PRIMER

Following is a primer on who had MLB uniform contracts from 1987 (the first year of the first official uniform contract) through 2008.

1987-91: Official=Rawlings

Unofficial: Wilson (all Braves and Yankees, Tigers and Red Sox home); Goodman (some Astros, Nolan Ryan Rangers, 1990-91 Padres home).

1992-99: Official=Russell

Unofficial: Wilson (1992-99 Braves home, 1992 road, some 1992 White Sox road and 1993-99 all styles, a few Blue Jays, 1996 Angels); Rawlings (many 1992-99 Pirates, 1992-94 Dodgers, 1992-99 Cardinals, some 1997-99 Mets, 1997-99 Angels, Barry Bonds and a few other Giants, 1992-99); Goodman (1992-93 Nolan Ryan); Victory (1995-99 Astro home and road Bagwell and Biggio. select others in 1995); AIS (some 1997-99 Mets); Majestic (1998 Mariners alternates).

2000-02: Official=Russell, Rawlings, Majestic

2003-04: Official=Russell, Majestic

2005-08 (and likely 2009) Official=Majestic

Also: MLB and Negro League Turn Back The Clock: Rawlings (1990 White Sox, 1991 Giants, Phillies and Reds);1992-2008 Russell, Mitchell and Ness, Ebbets Field Flannels, AIS, Majestic.

BP jerseys (first contract 1990): Official: Majestic

Also official: Rawlings (1990-91), Russell (1992-99),

Unofficial: AIS (some 1990s Mets).

WINTER CLASSIC SWEATERS UNVEILED

Both the Blackhawks and Red Wings are going retro for the January 1st outdoor game at Wrigley Field. Both teams will wear a Winter Classic patch and have their garb produced by Reebok. The Blackhawks will reach back to a 1935-36 design: black with red and white body stripes, and a smaller Indian Head logo inside a circle, with the team name around the upper (Chicago) and lower (Blackhawks) borders of the circle. Detroit will don 1926-27 style attire: white with a solid red body stripe, a white Olde English D in the stripe, and smaller secondary shoulder logos of the current wheel-and-wing insignia. Both will use tie-front necks on their wearables. NHL.com is already selling the replica versions on their website.

NEW STYLES

The Boston Celtics broke out a special jersey for their home opener. The special jersey was similar to the normal home top, but had gold trim on all letters and numbers, and a special championship patch.

The Pacific Coast League Colorado Sky Sox have new uniform styles for 2009. The home version will be white, the roads will be grey, and a P/Sunday alternate top will be navy blue. The new Sky Sox logo, a range of mountains with the team name at the bottom and a menacing pair of cartoon-style eyes above the team name, will appear on both the homes and roads, with an interlocking CS on the third jerseys.

The New York Islanders are going to wear an alternate jersey 15 times this season, a dark blue, orange and white design patterned after their 1970s/80s sweaters. One difference: the hockey stick in the logo will have four lines on the stick portion, in recognition of the Islanders’ four Stanley Cup winners.

HANGING CHAD

The good news for Chad Johnson of he Bengals is that his new legal name, Ocho Cinco, will be allowed on his uniforms by the NFL. The bad news, however, is that it won’t be permitted until 2009, to allow Reebok and the NFL to sell as many Johnson NOB jerseys as possible.

NEW MUSEUM ADDITIONS

Sports Collectors Daily reported the donation a Green Bay area man made to the Packers Hall of Fame. The donation included a pair of Johnny “Blood” McNally’s shoulder pads from the 1930s, as well as a ’30s Packers sideline coat.

Also, it has been made public that Joe Blanton of the Phillies, who hit a game 4 home run in the Phils’ rout of the Rays, will have that specific bat donated to Cooperstown.

OLD IS NEW

Bill Haelig emailed in to tell me of a November 12th event hosted by the Baltimore Orioles that will include an announcement that the 2009 Orioles road jerseys will be restyled to change the front script from Orioles to Baltimore.

The last time Orioles road jerseys carried the city name on the front were in 1972, with their Spalding-made road unies. The team went to the Orioles front on all their styles in an effort to regionalize their team’s fan base by courting Washington DC fans, who had lost their expansion Senators after the 1971 season. Now that Washington has a team again, the O’s are concentrating on their Baltimore area supporters again.

OBITUARY

Karl Kassulke, a safety for the Vikings from 1963-72, died from a heart attack. He was 67. Kassulke’s career, which included a Super Bowl start and a Pro Bowl appearance, was cut short by a motorcycle crash that left him paralyzed.

CONGRATULATIONS, PHILLIES>>>BUT I WISH IT WOULDA BEEN THE CUBS INSTEAD.

MLB MANUFACTURER PRIMER

Following is a primer on who had MLB uniform contracts from 1987 (the first year of the first official uniform contract) through 2008.

1987-91: Official=Rawlings

Unofficial: Wilson (all Braves and Yankees, Tigers and Red Sox home); Goodman (some Astros, Nolan Ryan Rangers, 1990-91 Padres home).

1992-99: Official=Russell

Unofficial: Wilson (1992-99 Braves home, 1992 road, some 1992 White Sox road and 1993-99 all styles, a few Blue Jays, 1996 Angels); Rawlings (many 1992-99 Pirates, 1992-94 Dodgers, 1992-99 Cardinals, some 1997-99 Mets, 1997-99 Angels, Barry Bonds and a few other Giants, 1992-99); Goodman (1992-93 Nolan Ryan); Victory (1995-99 Astro home and road Bagwell and Biggio. select others in 1995); AIS (some 1997-99 Mets); Majestic (1998 Mariners alternates).

2000-02: Official=Russell, Rawlings, Majestic

2003-04: Official=Russell, Majestic

2005-08 (and likely 2009) Official=Majestic

Also: MLB and Negro League Turn Back The Clock: Rawlings (1990 White Sox, 1991 Giants, Phillies and Reds);1992-2008 Russell, Mitchell and Ness, Ebbets Field Flannels, AIS, Majestic.

BP jerseys (first contract 1990): Official: Majestic

Also official: Rawlings (1990-91), Russell (1992-99),

Unofficial: AIS (some 1990s Mets).

WINTER CLASSIC SWEATERS UNVEILED

Both the Blackhawks and Red Wings are going retro for the January 1st outdoor game at Wrigley Field. Both teams will wear a Winter Classic patch and have their garb produced by Reebok. The Blackhawks will reach back to a 1935-36 design: black with red and white body stripes, and a smaller Indian Head logo inside a circle, with the team name around the upper (Chicago) and lower (Blackhawks) borders of the circle. Detroit will don 1926-27 style attire: white with a solid red body stripe, a white Olde English D in the stripe, and smaller secondary shoulder logos of the current wheel-and-wing insignia. Both will use tie-front necks on their wearables. NHL.com is already selling the replica versions on their website.

NEW STYLES

The Boston Celtics broke out a special jersey for their home opener. The special jersey was similar to the normal home top, but had gold trim on all letters and numbers, and a special championship patch.

The Pacific Coast League Colorado Sky Sox have new uniform styles for 2009. The home version will be white, the roads will be grey, and a P/Sunday alternate top will be navy blue. The new Sky Sox logo, a range of mountains with the team name at the bottom and a menacing pair of cartoon-style eyes above the team name, will appear on both the homes and roads, with an interlocking CS on the third jerseys.

The New York Islanders are going to wear an alternate jersey 15 times this season, a dark blue, orange and white design patterned after their 1970s/80s sweaters. One difference: the hockey stick in the logo will have four lines on the stick portion, in recognition of the Islanders’ four Stanley Cup winners.

HANGING CHAD

The good news for Chad Johnson of he Bengals is that his new legal name, Ocho Cinco, will be allowed on his uniforms by the NFL. The bad news, however, is that it won’t be permitted until 2009, to allow Reebok and the NFL to sell as many Johnson NOB jerseys as possible.

NEW MUSEUM ADDITIONS

Sports Collectors Daily reported the donation a Green Bay area man made to the Packers Hall of Fame. The donation included a pair of Johnny “Blood” McNally’s shoulder pads from the 1930s, as well as a ’30s Packers sideline coat.

Also, it has been made public that Joe Blanton of the Phillies, who hit a game 4 home run in the Phils’ rout of the Rays, will have that specific bat donated to Cooperstown.

OLD IS NEW

Bill Haelig emailed in to tell me of a November 12th event hosted by the Baltimore Orioles that will include an announcement that the 2009 Orioles road jerseys will be restyled to change the front script from Orioles to Baltimore.

The last time Orioles road jerseys carried the city name on the front were in 1972, with their Spalding-made road unies. The team went to the Orioles front on all their styles in an effort to regionalize their team’s fan base by courting Washington DC fans, who had lost their expansion Senators after the 1971 season. Now that Washington has a team again, the O’s are concentrating on their Baltimore area supporters again.

OBITUARY

Karl Kassulke, a safety for the Vikings from 1963-72, died from a heart attack. He was 67. Kassulke’s career, which included a Super Bowl start and a Pro Bowl appearance, was cut short by a motorcycle crash that left him paralyzed.

CONGRATULATIONS, PHILLIES>>>BUT I WISH IT WOULDA BEEN THE CUBS INSTEAD.

HOME RUN BALL REALITY

The world of game used home run baseballs found a no-sale and a no-auction event in the past week-plus.

First off, Jose Molina’s September 21st home run against Baltimore (the last home run in Yankee Stadium history), not only did not meet the $400,000 pre-auction estimate, it was pulled after failing to draw even the $100,000 reserve.

Second, the Manny Aybar home run that helped Tampa Bay to it’s first A.L. pennant in it’s Game 7 defeat of Boston won’t be seeing the auction block, at all. The ball, which also set an ALCS record by being the playoff series’ 26th homer, was sought by Aybar, who offered a jersey and bat in trade.

The man who caught it, Cortney Taylor, turned down Aybar’s trade offer, but NOT to strike it rich with an auction house. He agreed to donate it to the Baseball Hall of Fame, which was all too happy to receive it, as their holdings of Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays memorabilia is mostly artifacts pertaining to Wade Boggs’ 3000th hit.

A related postscript, the news website that posted the story got an irate post from a woman identified only as “Amy”, who is chagrined because her brother, Rich, caught the first-ever Rays ALCS home run (hit by Evan Longoria) and has gotten no offers nor recognition for his catch.

For the record, both the first-ever Devil Rays home run and D-Rays yielded home run (both spring training)sit in Chicago area collections. The first one hit by Tampa Bay’s Bubba Trammell is owned by a retired Waveland Avenue Ballhawk who tried, without success, to sell it for $1,000 three years ago. The first one ever given up by the D-Rays, hit by college second baseman Brooks Badeaux (later drafted by Tampa Bay) sits in the Oak Park-based collection of a Rays collector, who acquired it from yours truly, who retrieved it when it was hit back in the first-ever Rays spring game in 1998.

BAMBINO & BASKETBALL

Hunt’s Auctions will have it’s second annual Louisville Slugger auction on November 15th. The prime piece of the auction: a 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers road flannel shirt and pants worn by Babe Ruth during his one-year stint as first base coach with Dem Bums. The uniform is made by Spalding, with Ruth’s name stitched in both pieces, and the 1939 World’s Fair patch (worn in ’38 by the Yanks, Dodgers and Giants, as 1939 was the sport-wide donning of the Baseball Centennial patch) is present on the left sleeve.

On a more recent, and less expensive front, www.nba.com has a link to their shopping section involving a couple dozen NBA Hardwood Classics jerseys (the NBA equivalent of Turn Back the Clock and Throwback uniforms of the MLB and NFL). The available unies are all registered in the MeiGray database.

INTERA

What, exactly, IS Intera? It was supposed to be a revolutionary new fabric blend that Russell Athletic was going to use when they took over the MLB uniform contract in 1992. The extinct newsletter Diamond Duds carried a reference to it as “a doubleknit that breathes”, supposedly less stifling to wear than traditional polyester knit jerseys that were used for the previous 20-plus seasons. In essence, it was the same approach Majestic sought with the introduction in 2006 of their Cool Base game uniforms, and before that, in 2003 with similarly constructed BP jerseys.

As it happens, Majestic succeeded, and Russell did not. Intera jerseys in MLB appeared sporadically in 1992-93, and pretty much disappeared after that.

The Intera-made gamers had their own fabric content flag tag, larger and more text filled than the traditional 100% Polyester (and Nylon) nub-sized flag tags. Their presence was in gamers only, and were, depending on team, either flagged underneath the Russell manufacturer tag in the tail, or flagged in the collar of the jersey. In a matter of a couple of seasons, Intera was out!

OBITUARIES

Harry Mangurian Jr., the owner of the Boston Celtics from 1979-83, died after a battle with leukemia. He was 82. Mangurian was the owner of the 1981 NBA Champion Celtics team.

Former NBA star Nick Weatherspoon died on October 18th at age 58. He played in the Association from 1973-80, splitting his career between the Bullets (3+ season), the Supersonics (less than a full season), the Bulls (1 year) and the Clippers (2 years)

Football HoFer Gene Hickerson, considered by legendary RB and former teammate Jim Brown to be the greatest downfield blocker ever, succumbed to a long illness on October 20th. Age 73 at the time of his passing, the career Cleveland Brown played from 1958-73, and ended his career playing in 165 consecutive games.

Finally, Lou Stringer, an infielder in the 1940s who primarily played second base, died October 19th at age 91. Stringer was a regular with the Cubs in 1941-42, and played part of the 1943 season with the Wrigleys before going off to war. He returned in 1946, and was a back-up for the ’46 Cubs as well as the Red Sox from 1948-50.

KYLE ORTON, YOUR TABLE IS READY!

HOME RUN BALL REALITY

The world of game used home run baseballs found a no-sale and a no-auction event in the past week-plus.

First off, Jose Molina’s September 21st home run against Baltimore (the last home run in Yankee Stadium history), not only did not meet the $400,000 pre-auction estimate, it was pulled after failing to draw even the $100,000 reserve.

Second, the Manny Aybar home run that helped Tampa Bay to it’s first A.L. pennant in it’s Game 7 defeat of Boston won’t be seeing the auction block, at all. The ball, which also set an ALCS record by being the playoff series’ 26th homer, was sought by Aybar, who offered a jersey and bat in trade.

The man who caught it, Cortney Taylor, turned down Aybar’s trade offer, but NOT to strike it rich with an auction house. He agreed to donate it to the Baseball Hall of Fame, which was all too happy to receive it, as their holdings of Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays memorabilia is mostly artifacts pertaining to Wade Boggs’ 3000th hit.

A related postscript, the news website that posted the story got an irate post from a woman identified only as “Amy”, who is chagrined because her brother, Rich, caught the first-ever Rays ALCS home run (hit by Evan Longoria) and has gotten no offers nor recognition for his catch.

For the record, both the first-ever Devil Rays home run and D-Rays yielded home run (both spring training)sit in Chicago area collections. The first one hit by Tampa Bay’s Bubba Trammell is owned by a retired Waveland Avenue Ballhawk who tried, without success, to sell it for $1,000 three years ago. The first one ever given up by the D-Rays, hit by college second baseman Brooks Badeaux (later drafted by Tampa Bay) sits in the Oak Park-based collection of a Rays collector, who acquired it from yours truly, who retrieved it when it was hit back in the first-ever Rays spring game in 1998.

BAMBINO & BASKETBALL

Hunt’s Auctions will have it’s second annual Louisville Slugger auction on November 15th. The prime piece of the auction: a 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers road flannel shirt and pants worn by Babe Ruth during his one-year stint as first base coach with Dem Bums. The uniform is made by Spalding, with Ruth’s name stitched in both pieces, and the 1939 World’s Fair patch (worn in ’38 by the Yanks, Dodgers and Giants, as 1939 was the sport-wide donning of the Baseball Centennial patch) is present on the left sleeve.

On a more recent, and less expensive front, www.nba.com has a link to their shopping section involving a couple dozen NBA Hardwood Classics jerseys (the NBA equivalent of Turn Back the Clock and Throwback uniforms of the MLB and NFL). The available unies are all registered in the MeiGray database.

INTERA

What, exactly, IS Intera? It was supposed to be a revolutionary new fabric blend that Russell Athletic was going to use when they took over the MLB uniform contract in 1992. The extinct newsletter Diamond Duds carried a reference to it as “a doubleknit that breathes”, supposedly less stifling to wear than traditional polyester knit jerseys that were used for the previous 20-plus seasons. In essence, it was the same approach Majestic sought with the introduction in 2006 of their Cool Base game uniforms, and before that, in 2003 with similarly constructed BP jerseys.

As it happens, Majestic succeeded, and Russell did not. Intera jerseys in MLB appeared sporadically in 1992-93, and pretty much disappeared after that.

The Intera-made gamers had their own fabric content flag tag, larger and more text filled than the traditional 100% Polyester (and Nylon) nub-sized flag tags. Their presence was in gamers only, and were, depending on team, either flagged underneath the Russell manufacturer tag in the tail, or flagged in the collar of the jersey. In a matter of a couple of seasons, Intera was out!

OBITUARIES

Harry Mangurian Jr., the owner of the Boston Celtics from 1979-83, died after a battle with leukemia. He was 82. Mangurian was the owner of the 1981 NBA Champion Celtics team.

Former NBA star Nick Weatherspoon died on October 18th at age 58. He played in the Association from 1973-80, splitting his career between the Bullets (3+ season), the Supersonics (less than a full season), the Bulls (1 year) and the Clippers (2 years)

Football HoFer Gene Hickerson, considered by legendary RB and former teammate Jim Brown to be the greatest downfield blocker ever, succumbed to a long illness on October 20th. Age 73 at the time of his passing, the career Cleveland Brown played from 1958-73, and ended his career playing in 165 consecutive games.

Finally, Lou Stringer, an infielder in the 1940s who primarily played second base, died October 19th at age 91. Stringer was a regular with the Cubs in 1941-42, and played part of the 1943 season with the Wrigleys before going off to war. He returned in 1946, and was a back-up for the ’46 Cubs as well as the Red Sox from 1948-50.

KYLE ORTON, YOUR TABLE IS READY!

MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: I had a Charles Barkley Suns home jersey, by Champion with tags, fail an authentication (not by MEARS) due to improper logo placement. Can you elucidate?

A: In the 1991-1992 NBA season, a number of retail jerseys with tags, but with minor differences from actual team-issued jerseys, were made available to the general public. In the case of Barkley’s retail jersey, the NBA logo is on the left chest…normal for most NBA teams, but not the Suns, who place it on the right chest for gamers of that style. The jerseys, sold as the NBA Commemorative Collection, are the hoops equivalent of the Score Board MLB jerseys mentioned in this column before…tagged jerseys that never saw a locker room or a player’s’ back, but come down to minor differences (amount of extra length, tag information, lack of patch or band, etc.)

Q: You’ve mentioned the White Sox being the initiator of MLB Turn Back the Clock jerseys in 1990. Who was the first TBTC wearing team in the NFL?

A: Everyone in the league wore some sort of Throwback (NFL-speak for Turn Back the Clock) uniform during the NFL’s 75th Anniversary season in 1994. The year before, however, found the New York Jets trotting out 1969-style unies as part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Jets’ Super Bowl 3 champions.

ORANGE YA GLAD THE BEARS ARE PLAYING?

For today’s Bears-Vikings clash at Soldier Field, the Bears will be wearing their orange jerseys…the third year of their alternate style.

OOPS

One eBay offering showed the possibility of honest error in the realm of game-used baseball collecting. A seller had a game foul ball he caught at a Pirates-Phillies game at the Vet in Philly. His description indicated it was hit by Roberto Clemente. Bad memory, seller friend…the ball is a Rawlings gamer, and Clemente died several years before Rawlings began supplying MLB with baseballs. The National League baseballs of Clemente’s era were all produced by Spalding. Still a decent item…just not one that Clemente hit foul.

THERE’S MORE THAN 10

After mentioning a set 10 Alfonso Soriano Cubs home jersey on an Internet auction last time out, it looks as if Soriano had even more sets in ’07. An eBay auction offers a genuine Sori 2007 Cubs home gamer tagged set 12. Still not Vernon Wells’ set 20, but getting there.

OBITUARIES

In the NFL, Chris Mims was found dead of undetermined causes at age 38. Mims played eight seasons in the NFL, seven of which were with the Chargers, plus one with Washington.

Baseball lost several former players. Sid Hudson, who pitched from 1940-54 for the Red So and Senators (with 1943-45 off for military service) died on the 10th at age 93.

Also leaving us at age 93 was Les McCrabb, who passed away on the 8th. McCrabb was a pitcher for the Philadelphia A’s from 1939-42, and then reappearing briefly with the A’s again in 1950.

Kevin Foster, a pitcher whose best years were with the 2994-97 Cubs, and later a truck driver, died from a form of renal cancer at age 39. He came to the Majors in 1993 with the Phillies, and attempted a comeback in 2001 with Texas. This one hits me extra…the second strong acquaintance of mine to die way too young this year (Geremi Gonzalez was the first).

Most recently, Tom Tresh suffered a fatal heart attack, passing at age 71. He was the 1962 AL ROY, and played with the Yanks from 1962 into the midst of 1969, finishing off the ’69 schedule with Detroit. His father was Mike Tresh, a 12-year MLB catcher predominantly with the White Sox.

WHO WAS THE IDIOT WHO DECIDED TO CAN DENIS SAVARD?

MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: I had a Charles Barkley Suns home jersey, by Champion with tags, fail an authentication (not by MEARS) due to improper logo placement. Can you elucidate?

A: In the 1991-1992 NBA season, a number of retail jerseys with tags, but with minor differences from actual team-issued jerseys, were made available to the general public. In the case of Barkley’s retail jersey, the NBA logo is on the left chest…normal for most NBA teams, but not the Suns, who place it on the right chest for gamers of that style. The jerseys, sold as the NBA Commemorative Collection, are the hoops equivalent of the Score Board MLB jerseys mentioned in this column before…tagged jerseys that never saw a locker room or a player’s’ back, but come down to minor differences (amount of extra length, tag information, lack of patch or band, etc.)

Q: You’ve mentioned the White Sox being the initiator of MLB Turn Back the Clock jerseys in 1990. Who was the first TBTC wearing team in the NFL?

A: Everyone in the league wore some sort of Throwback (NFL-speak for Turn Back the Clock) uniform during the NFL’s 75th Anniversary season in 1994. The year before, however, found the New York Jets trotting out 1969-style unies as part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Jets’ Super Bowl 3 champions.

ORANGE YA GLAD THE BEARS ARE PLAYING?

For today’s Bears-Vikings clash at Soldier Field, the Bears will be wearing their orange jerseys…the third year of their alternate style.

OOPS

One eBay offering showed the possibility of honest error in the realm of game-used baseball collecting. A seller had a game foul ball he caught at a Pirates-Phillies game at the Vet in Philly. His description indicated it was hit by Roberto Clemente. Bad memory, seller friend…the ball is a Rawlings gamer, and Clemente died several years before Rawlings began supplying MLB with baseballs. The National League baseballs of Clemente’s era were all produced by Spalding. Still a decent item…just not one that Clemente hit foul.

THERE’S MORE THAN 10

After mentioning a set 10 Alfonso Soriano Cubs home jersey on an Internet auction last time out, it looks as if Soriano had even more sets in ’07. An eBay auction offers a genuine Sori 2007 Cubs home gamer tagged set 12. Still not Vernon Wells’ set 20, but getting there.

OBITUARIES

In the NFL, Chris Mims was found dead of undetermined causes at age 38. Mims played eight seasons in the NFL, seven of which were with the Chargers, plus one with Washington.

Baseball lost several former players. Sid Hudson, who pitched from 1940-54 for the Red So and Senators (with 1943-45 off for military service) died on the 10th at age 93.

Also leaving us at age 93 was Les McCrabb, who passed away on the 8th. McCrabb was a pitcher for the Philadelphia A’s from 1939-42, and then reappearing briefly with the A’s again in 1950.

Kevin Foster, a pitcher whose best years were with the 2994-97 Cubs, and later a truck driver, died from a form of renal cancer at age 39. He came to the Majors in 1993 with the Phillies, and attempted a comeback in 2001 with Texas. This one hits me extra…the second strong acquaintance of mine to die way too young this year (Geremi Gonzalez was the first).

Most recently, Tom Tresh suffered a fatal heart attack, passing at age 71. He was the 1962 AL ROY, and played with the Yanks from 1962 into the midst of 1969, finishing off the ’69 schedule with Detroit. His father was Mike Tresh, a 12-year MLB catcher predominantly with the White Sox.

WHO WAS THE IDIOT WHO DECIDED TO CAN DENIS SAVARD?

LEADING OFF: MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX, WHITE SOX EDITION

Q: I noticed the black diamond on the left sleeve of 1992 White Sox gamers. Who is it for? (T.N., Illinois)

A: The White Sox honored the Personal Assistant to the Owner, Sheri Berto, and longtime Sox front office employees Don Unferth and Millie Johnson, all of whom passed away during the 1991-92 off-season. A few trivia notes on this logo and related topics:

1) Sheri Berto was similarly eulogized with a black shoulder strap band on 1991-92 Bulls gamers.

2) Ms. Berto, who died unexpectedly during routine surgery, is also remembered to this day by having the Chicago Bulls training facility named after her (Berto Center)

3) The memoriam diamond, while black on the home and road shirts, is silver on the black alternate gamers.

4) The memoriam diamond is actually part of the sleeve (a la the batting bird patch on 1956 St. Louis Cardinals flannels), and is not a patch added to the jersey.

Q: I was told (maybe even by you) that only 1976 White Sox Veeck-style jerseys were issued without flag tagging in the collar. Please explain further. (N.D., New York)

A: While the team’s order of 1976 jerseys from Rawlings were the only ones largely found untagged (although a very few have a set or year flag tag, but not both, as 1976 was the sole year Rawlings used separate flag tags for both), the team’s budget-strapped situation found tagless 1976 jerseys being used, to some degree, all the way up to 1979 spring training). The jerseys ordered in 1977 had collar flag tags (I bought a Richie Zisk road from their equipment guy after Zisk went free agent) and also in 1978 (two Bobby Bonds jerseys were released after the trade, and I ended up with the home example). Still, 1977-78 gamers can come either way,even with the same player in the same year…such was the budget limitations of the Bill Veeck-era White Sox.

NEW NHL ALTERNATE SWEATERS

Several new jersey styles will be introduced this season…here’s a rundown:

Toronto: The Maple Leafs have two extra styles to wear this year. A tie-front white sweater with the old Leaf logo (serrated edges on the Maple Leaf will be an alternate, as will a white jersey with the logo of the longtime Junior League Toronto Marlboros. This jersey features a logo of a dog holding a hockey stick, with one puck in his mouth and several others in front. The team name will be the abbreviated MARLIES, and the Leafs logo will be a shoulder patch.

Meanwhile, an alternate red Atlanta Thrashers sweater will debut this season. The jersey will feature a stylized yellow team nickname with dark trim, and a white number underneath, also with dark trim. The sleeves will be white and red, while the normal bird head logo will become a shoulder logo.

UP FOR AUCTION GOODIES

A number of excellent items in the game-used realm will see auctions in the next few months.

Guernsey’s, whose November auction already has the 1912 Jake Stahl World Series trophy, will add a consignment from one Steve Harshman of Wyoming. His item: the last home run ball ever hit at Yankee Stadium, by Yanks reserve catcher Jose Molina.

Heritage auctions will feature a great piece for Brett Favre collectors: the first game-winning touchdown ball thrown by Favre. It was Favre’s second TD pass overall, but the first to win a particular game. The consignor is the former Packer who caught the passed pigskin, Kittric Taylor.

Not to be outdone, Canada-based Classic Auctions will have the collection of former Montreal Canadiens star Jacques Laperriere.
Numerous items of his, topped by his Stanley Cup ring, will be included.

And, after starting with Yankees memorabilia, let’s finish with it, too. Ironclad Authentics will have numerous game-worn and used artifacts of Orioles 2B Brian Roberts, who had the final at-bat at Yankee Stadium. Included will be the road jersey he wore in that game, as well as his cap, batting helmet, bat, cleats and batting gloves. If you like old or unusual, there’s stuff out there that should pique your interest.

DUCKWORTH REMEMBERED

The Portland Trailblazers have two different logos to eulogize popular former Blazer Kevin Duckworth, who died this past off season. A black shoulder strap memoriam band with his number (00) will be worn on game jerseys, while warmup tops and shooting shirts will bear a rectangular patch with DUCK on top and 00 beneath it.

OBITUARIES

George Kissell, a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization for over 50 years and a MLB coach as far back as 1969, was killed in an auto accident while his daughter was transporting him. He was 88.

Also, Bruce Dal Canton, a MLB pitcher for 11 years with time on the rosters of the Pirates, White Sox, Braves and Royals, passed away at age 66 due to esophageal cancer. Dal Canton has been a coach in the Braves minor league system for over decade, last in uniform this past May with Myrtle Beach of the Carolina League (high-A) before having to leave due to his health.

SAINTS BE PRAISED! THE BLACKHAWKS MATTER AGAIN!

LEADING OFF: MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX, WHITE SOX EDITION

Q: I noticed the black diamond on the left sleeve of 1992 White Sox gamers. Who is it for? (T.N., Illinois)

A: The White Sox honored the Personal Assistant to the Owner, Sheri Berto, and longtime Sox front office employees Don Unferth and Millie Johnson, all of whom passed away during the 1991-92 off-season. A few trivia notes on this logo and related topics:

1) Sheri Berto was similarly eulogized with a black shoulder strap band on 1991-92 Bulls gamers.

2) Ms. Berto, who died unexpectedly during routine surgery, is also remembered to this day by having the Chicago Bulls training facility named after her (Berto Center)

3) The memoriam diamond, while black on the home and road shirts, is silver on the black alternate gamers.

4) The memoriam diamond is actually part of the sleeve (a la the batting bird patch on 1956 St. Louis Cardinals flannels), and is not a patch added to the jersey.

Q: I was told (maybe even by you) that only 1976 White Sox Veeck-style jerseys were issued without flag tagging in the collar. Please explain further. (N.D., New York)

A: While the team’s order of 1976 jerseys from Rawlings were the only ones largely found untagged (although a very few have a set or year flag tag, but not both, as 1976 was the sole year Rawlings used separate flag tags for both), the team’s budget-strapped situation found tagless 1976 jerseys being used, to some degree, all the way up to 1979 spring training). The jerseys ordered in 1977 had collar flag tags (I bought a Richie Zisk road from their equipment guy after Zisk went free agent) and also in 1978 (two Bobby Bonds jerseys were released after the trade, and I ended up with the home example). Still, 1977-78 gamers can come either way,even with the same player in the same year…such was the budget limitations of the Bill Veeck-era White Sox.

NEW NHL ALTERNATE SWEATERS

Several new jersey styles will be introduced this season…here’s a rundown:

Toronto: The Maple Leafs have two extra styles to wear this year. A tie-front white sweater with the old Leaf logo (serrated edges on the Maple Leaf will be an alternate, as will a white jersey with the logo of the longtime Junior League Toronto Marlboros. This jersey features a logo of a dog holding a hockey stick, with one puck in his mouth and several others in front. The team name will be the abbreviated MARLIES, and the Leafs logo will be a shoulder patch.

Meanwhile, an alternate red Atlanta Thrashers sweater will debut this season. The jersey will feature a stylized yellow team nickname with dark trim, and a white number underneath, also with dark trim. The sleeves will be white and red, while the normal bird head logo will become a shoulder logo.

UP FOR AUCTION GOODIES

A number of excellent items in the game-used realm will see auctions in the next few months.

Guernsey’s, whose November auction already has the 1912 Jake Stahl World Series trophy, will add a consignment from one Steve Harshman of Wyoming. His item: the last home run ball ever hit at Yankee Stadium, by Yanks reserve catcher Jose Molina.

Heritage auctions will feature a great piece for Brett Favre collectors: the first game-winning touchdown ball thrown by Favre. It was Favre’s second TD pass overall, but the first to win a particular game. The consignor is the former Packer who caught the passed pigskin, Kittric Taylor.

Not to be outdone, Canada-based Classic Auctions will have the collection of former Montreal Canadiens star Jacques Laperriere.
Numerous items of his, topped by his Stanley Cup ring, will be included.

And, after starting with Yankees memorabilia, let’s finish with it, too. Ironclad Authentics will have numerous game-worn and used artifacts of Orioles 2B Brian Roberts, who had the final at-bat at Yankee Stadium. Included will be the road jersey he wore in that game, as well as his cap, batting helmet, bat, cleats and batting gloves. If you like old or unusual, there’s stuff out there that should pique your interest.

DUCKWORTH REMEMBERED

The Portland Trailblazers have two different logos to eulogize popular former Blazer Kevin Duckworth, who died this past off season. A black shoulder strap memoriam band with his number (00) will be worn on game jerseys, while warmup tops and shooting shirts will bear a rectangular patch with DUCK on top and 00 beneath it.

OBITUARIES

George Kissell, a member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization for over 50 years and a MLB coach as far back as 1969, was killed in an auto accident while his daughter was transporting him. He was 88.

Also, Bruce Dal Canton, a MLB pitcher for 11 years with time on the rosters of the Pirates, White Sox, Braves and Royals, passed away at age 66 due to esophageal cancer. Dal Canton has been a coach in the Braves minor league system for over decade, last in uniform this past May with Myrtle Beach of the Carolina League (high-A) before having to leave due to his health.

SAINTS BE PRAISED! THE BLACKHAWKS MATTER AGAIN!

NOT VESTS, BUT NOT STANDARD

1997 was a season with several diamond memories. It was the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic MLB debut. It was the year the 5-year old Florida Marlins won their first World Championship. And, it was also the year of the Cincinnati Reds odd-sleeved road jerseys.

The normal Reds road greys started their life as standard short-sleeved gamers, like those most teams wear…with one exception. The jerseys worn by Neon Deion Sanders carried specially tailored mini-sleeves…not short enough to be a vest, but far shorter than the standard fare.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before the MLB Fashion Police entered the scene. Sanders was told, in no uncertain terms, that his jerseys had to be the same in design as those of his teammates. To them, that meant making Deion wear standard short sleeves. To his Reds teammates, though, it meant something else.

Since the official edict was that Deion’s jersey had to conform in design to the other Reds, the other Reds decided to have their jersey sleeves tailored in like manner to Prime Time’s. After all, they were now all alike.

The alterations meant that the Reds logo on the left sleeve and the Jackie Robinson patch on the right were now located as much or more on the shoulder top as the mini-sleeve. It also sent a message to MLB’s grand poobahs, that being the Reds were “all for one and one for all”.

RANGER DANGERS

A number of Texas Rangers BPs have hit eBay recently. All are team-issued, player worn items…but all are misidentified as to year and player identity. The seller offers them as all 2001-03 Texas blue BPs, and all of them are advertised as stars (A-Rod, Teixeira, and the like). Problem is, all are pre-2000 in nature, as evidenced by the absence of an MLB logo patch on the back of the neck. Based on that, and the style of Majestic tagging and type of logo, all appear to be from 1996-99. I actually bought the alleged Teixeira, knowing it to be a 1996-97 Benji Gil, instead, and happy with it as Gil was a favorite of mine from my trips to the Rangers’ old spring camp in Port Charlotte, Florida for ballhawking… he was the source of several grabs in those years.
Hopefully, the misidentifications are just wishful thinking and poor research, which they may well be.

FROM MONTREAL TO OSHAWA

The Montreal Canadiens have announced their schedule for wearing four of the six Throwback styles they plan to wear in 2008-09. Each style will be worn twice. The two oldest retro unies, the 1909-10 and 1910-11 versions, will be worn on as yet undetermined dates during the 2009-10 season.

The list:
1970-71: October 20, February 21
1945-46: November 15, March 14
1915-16: December 4, March 21
1912-13; February 1, March 31

In addition, the Ontario Hockey League Oshawa Generals will hold a November 27 ceremony to retire the #2 sweater worn by Bobby Orr. Orr joined the Generals at age 14 in 1962, and helped his team to the league championship in 1966. Orr, as most hockey lovers know, wore #4 during his pro career with the Bruins and (briefly) the Blackhawks.

AND, SPEAKING OF UNIFORM RETIREMENTS

Today, October5, will find the NFL 49ers holding jersey retirement honors for 1990’s QB and HoFer Steve Young.

DIAMONDBACKS FOUNDATION UPDATE

The D-Backs’ team charity has four items up on eBay right now, the highlights of which are a red game-worn autographed Chris Young batting helmet, as well as a black helmet, cracked bat and signed baseball of Orlando Hudson. Check eBay seller diamondbacksfoundation for the lots.

OBITUARIES

Ed Brinkman, a good-field, no-hit shortstop who spent 14 years in the Majors, mainly in the employ of the Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers, died at age 66. Brinkman spent 17 post-career years as a coach and scout for the White Sox. He is survived by, among others, his younger brother Chuck, a former White Sox catcher.

Also, Plato Gus Andros, a guard/tackle who played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1947-50, died at age 86. Alzheimer’s disease was the cause. Andros, a graduate of Oklahoma, also served in World War 2.

GEOVANNY SOTO, YOUR NL ROY TABLE IS READY!

NOT VESTS, BUT NOT STANDARD

1997 was a season with several diamond memories. It was the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic MLB debut. It was the year the 5-year old Florida Marlins won their first World Championship. And, it was also the year of the Cincinnati Reds odd-sleeved road jerseys.

The normal Reds road greys started their life as standard short-sleeved gamers, like those most teams wear…with one exception. The jerseys worn by Neon Deion Sanders carried specially tailored mini-sleeves…not short enough to be a vest, but far shorter than the standard fare.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before the MLB Fashion Police entered the scene. Sanders was told, in no uncertain terms, that his jerseys had to be the same in design as those of his teammates. To them, that meant making Deion wear standard short sleeves. To his Reds teammates, though, it meant something else.

Since the official edict was that Deion’s jersey had to conform in design to the other Reds, the other Reds decided to have their jersey sleeves tailored in like manner to Prime Time’s. After all, they were now all alike.

The alterations meant that the Reds logo on the left sleeve and the Jackie Robinson patch on the right were now located as much or more on the shoulder top as the mini-sleeve. It also sent a message to MLB’s grand poobahs, that being the Reds were “all for one and one for all”.

RANGER DANGERS

A number of Texas Rangers BPs have hit eBay recently. All are team-issued, player worn items…but all are misidentified as to year and player identity. The seller offers them as all 2001-03 Texas blue BPs, and all of them are advertised as stars (A-Rod, Teixeira, and the like). Problem is, all are pre-2000 in nature, as evidenced by the absence of an MLB logo patch on the back of the neck. Based on that, and the style of Majestic tagging and type of logo, all appear to be from 1996-99. I actually bought the alleged Teixeira, knowing it to be a 1996-97 Benji Gil, instead, and happy with it as Gil was a favorite of mine from my trips to the Rangers’ old spring camp in Port Charlotte, Florida for ballhawking… he was the source of several grabs in those years.
Hopefully, the misidentifications are just wishful thinking and poor research, which they may well be.

FROM MONTREAL TO OSHAWA

The Montreal Canadiens have announced their schedule for wearing four of the six Throwback styles they plan to wear in 2008-09. Each style will be worn twice. The two oldest retro unies, the 1909-10 and 1910-11 versions, will be worn on as yet undetermined dates during the 2009-10 season.

The list:
1970-71: October 20, February 21
1945-46: November 15, March 14
1915-16: December 4, March 21
1912-13; February 1, March 31

In addition, the Ontario Hockey League Oshawa Generals will hold a November 27 ceremony to retire the #2 sweater worn by Bobby Orr. Orr joined the Generals at age 14 in 1962, and helped his team to the league championship in 1966. Orr, as most hockey lovers know, wore #4 during his pro career with the Bruins and (briefly) the Blackhawks.

AND, SPEAKING OF UNIFORM RETIREMENTS

Today, October5, will find the NFL 49ers holding jersey retirement honors for 1990’s QB and HoFer Steve Young.

DIAMONDBACKS FOUNDATION UPDATE

The D-Backs’ team charity has four items up on eBay right now, the highlights of which are a red game-worn autographed Chris Young batting helmet, as well as a black helmet, cracked bat and signed baseball of Orlando Hudson. Check eBay seller diamondbacksfoundation for the lots.

OBITUARIES

Ed Brinkman, a good-field, no-hit shortstop who spent 14 years in the Majors, mainly in the employ of the Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers, died at age 66. Brinkman spent 17 post-career years as a coach and scout for the White Sox. He is survived by, among others, his younger brother Chuck, a former White Sox catcher.

Also, Plato Gus Andros, a guard/tackle who played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1947-50, died at age 86. Alzheimer’s disease was the cause. Andros, a graduate of Oklahoma, also served in World War 2.

GEOVANNY SOTO, YOUR NL ROY TABLE IS READY!

RUSSELL AND MLB: LONG RELATIONSHIP, ROCKY START

Russell Athletic was given the exclusive MLB uniform contract from 1992-99. and shared the contract from 2000-04. The thirteen years of the Russell-MLB relationship turned out well in the long run, but some veteran collectors wonder how it ever got past 1992, as Russell received static from teams and players regarding their uniforms.

For starters, Russell’s uniforms for 1992 were not ready for all MLB teams at the start of the regular season. Several ballclubs played their first homestand or road trip, or part of it, wearing 1991 Rawlings unies. This produced a few oddities, such as 1991 Mets home jerseys by Russell with the 1992 Shea Memoriam patch added.

Several teams in 1992 ordered from previous supplier Rawlings, either in whole or in part, among them the Dodgers, Pirates and Cardinals. Wilson began the season supplying both Toronto and Atlanta, creating an advertising embarrassment for Russell when those two ballclubs met in the World Series, clad exclusively in Wilson game garb.

The product was not well-received by more than one team, and didn’t hold up for another. Seattle wore the Russell duds for about a month, decided they were, indeed, duds, and re-ordered from Rawlings, wearing their unies for the rest of 1992.

Meanwhile, in Arlington, Texas, several Rangers stars also took a dim view of the 1992 outfits Russell had provided. Their solution? Breaking out 1991 Rawlings made Rangers tops, and wearing those, with the equipment man sewing a small blank swatch over the Rawlings sleeve logo, as, with Russell being the sole official supplier, Rawlings could no longer display a sleeve logo.

Then, there’s the White Sox. While the home pinstriped whites and black alternates did just fine, the road greys faded noticeably after multiple launderings, causing the Chisox to order new sets of road greys from local source Wilson. This led to the Sox, over the next seven years, ordering sets of all styles from both Russell and Wilson, concerned that the Russell versions might again be problematic.

For what it’s worth, Russell did make one style of MLB jerseys prior to being awarded the contract. The Atlanta Braves ordered their 1991 navy blue BPs from multiple manufacturers, and Russell was one of them, featuring a boxed year tag very similar to those used in 1980s Russell-made NFL gamers for teams like the Falcons and Eagles.

NEW IN THE NBA

Two teams have added or changed hoop jersey styles in the Assoication for 2008-09.

The Orlando Magic has adopted a whole new line of hardwood wear. While the home whites didn’t change much, the road threads are powder blue with white pinstripes. Their third style is also powder blue, but with the “Magic” name in the script used in the original team logo, and with screened on stars in light and medium blue all over the jersey. The Magic will also sport a team 20th Anniversary patch on the new styles.

Adding an eye-catching third style is the Milwaukee Bucks, employing a jersey style not unlike their 1971 World Championship road attire, but with the jersey body being bright red instead of the old school green. The Bucks will wear the red alternates at their home opener, and then for at least 15 games on the road throughout the season.

LES HABS GO HISTORICAL

In conjunction with the team’s 100th Anniversary, the Montreal Canadiens have announced a group of Turn Back the Clock sweaters will be worn sporadically throughout the upcoming season and also 2009-10. Among the selected styles will be their first-ever design from 1909-10, and a striped sweater from 1912-13.

A REMINDER

Just to keep you posted, October 18th will be the day that Guernsey’s Auction House will take bids on the 1912 World Series trophy issued to manager Jake Stahl.

OBITUARIES

Longtime baseball man Mickey Vernon, a man of the cusp of the Baseball Hall of Fame and a first-ballot selection in the Nice Guys’ Hall of Fame, passed away at age 90 a week after suffering a stroke. Vernon won two batting titles, managed and coached in the bigs, and became a rare 4-decade player when the Pirates, who had him on their coaching staff for their glorious 1960 season, activated him in September to achieve the 4-decade mark. He began in 1939 with the original Washington Senators.

Also, Dick Lynch, a defensive back who primarily starred for the New York Giants, died at age 72 after a long illness. Lynch was a Washington Redskin during his 1958 rookie season, but joined the Giants the next year, playing with them through 1966. In both 1961 and 1963, he led the NFL with 9 interceptions.

I TURNED 50 ON SATURDAY, AND STILL FEEL THE SAME ON SUNDAY. CUBS WIN THE WORLD SERIES…I GO BACK TO 22.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Finally, the information on third style NFL uniforms from last time out should have been attributed to Wisconsin dealer Murf Denny (www.murfandpat.com) . My apologies to Murf for the initial omission.

CUBS FANS: ENJOY OCTOBER!

MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: I had a buyer who returned a 2000 Majestic game worn baseball jersey to me for a refund. He said that the jersey was a fake due to the lack of a 0062 tag inside the shirt. This jersey has no code…am I uninformed or is he?

A: He is, depending on the team. Majestic’s first year as a licensed MLB game uniform supplier was 2000. They were awarded seven teams: Cubs, White Sox, Blue Jays, Brewers, Orioles, Phillies and Astros. The first four listed, because of workload constraints were subcontracted to Wilson, and the Wilson-produced unies have no code on the inside tag. The other three should carry the 0062 tag. An odd coincidence: the four teams who were farmed out to Wilson were the four Majestic users who carried strip tagging in their jerseys. The other three teams employed no name, number, year, nor set tagging.

Q: Another Internet site has claimed that all pre-2003 MLB Majestic pregame jerseys should carry a 0006 interior tag. I have one from 1994 that has a 6000 tag. Do I have a bad BP top?

A: If from 1994, then no. The 0006 tag is correct for more recent examples, but the earlier BPs did, indeed, use a 6000 tag. I have two Cubs BP tops, worn by pitchers Bob Patterson and Kent Bottenfield, that were given to me by the two players, and they are tagged 6000. I’ve tried to research the point when the pro jerseys interior tagging changed from 6000 to 0006, and have been unable to narrow it down further than either 1997 or 1998.

Q: For the 1987-90 style of Rawlings White Sox jerseys, did any years/styles use tagging other than a Rawlings flag tag?

A: The 1987 homes and roads used strip tags that include names and years (can’t recall if sets were part of the strip tagging, and I don’t have access to the MEARS database here in Chicago). Often these were used along with flag tags. A minimal number of 1987 unies, as well as all 1988-90 gamers, used just a flag tag. Also, concerning that style, the 1990 road greys were the only examples to carry NOBs.

Q: I have a White Sox BP jersey of Carlton Fisk that was rejected by an auction house. They claimed that McAuliffe should be the manufacturer. What’s your thoughts?

A: During the doubleknit era, the White Sox haven’t ordered a single game or BP jersey from McAuliffe. Fisk’s uniform connection with McAuliffe is limited to pre-1979 Red Sox gamers. The style you sent photos of (red with white horizontal SOX trimmed in navy, 72 in similar color scheme on back) is of the 1983-86 era, and would either be made by Roman Sport (1983) or Majestic (1984-86).

AUCTIONS BY THE PROS

The NBA, on their website, has a link to an auction of MeiGray certified pre-Olympics game worn jerseys of both the mens’ and women’s USA teams.

Also, the Diamondbacks Foundation, the charitable arm of the Arizona National League team, has been and will be auctioning off the August 30th black Los D-Backs gamers worn that night. Their eBay seller ID is diamondbacksfoundation. So far, Randy Johnson and Juan Cruz have been offered…who’s next?

ANOTHER ONE

My mid-week article that mentioned MLB pitchers wearing their MLB jerseys in a minor league game drew a response from Patrick Williams, of the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame. He added the rehab stint for Atlanta’s John Smoltz earlier in 2008, which found Smoltzie rehabbing in a road game for the AA Mississippi Braves in his road grey Atlanta shirt. The photo he sent did not show the front clearly, but the jersey clearly had a cool base underarm panel (not yet seen on minor league gamers) underneath Smoltz’s throwing arm. Thanks for the alert, Patrick.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Finally, the information on third style NFL uniforms from last time out should have been attributed to Wisconsin dealer Murf Denny (www.murfandpat.com) . My apologies to Murf for the initial omission.

CUBS FANS: ENJOY OCTOBER!

HALFWAY TO ST. PATRICK’S DAY (AGAIN)

By the time you read this, the Chicago White Sox will have again held their “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” promotion, with special activities at the Cell, and with the home team again wearing home uniforms with green and white the letter, logo and number colors, with green pinstripes to boot. Most likely, these will be released afterwards, with a few going to MLB.com auctions, and the rest put on the racks for this coming winter’s SoxFest.

The White Sox have had an on-again, off-again relationship with serious collectors and dealers, which, in recent years, have been largely on. However, it was not always so in the past.

When seats from the original Comiskey Park were offered to the public, prices were unprecedented for demolished stadium seats. One White Sox official admitted that the higher prices were intended to scare off dealers.

A few years later, the team’s disdain for serious collectors and dealers reared its head again, making yours truly the object of their scorn. The White Sox Gift Shop in suburban Oak Brook had begun selling the 1991 jerseys, then a new style. Several collectors from around the country asked me to get them jerseys. The team had them at $200 each, and I tacked on an extra $25 for my time and effort. I was able to buy several before being told the same thing by two area collectors who didn’t know each other. Apparently, the prices of game-used jerseys had been inflated to $500-$600 apiece. Worse yet, both said that store employees mentioned me, BY NAME, as the cause for the jacked-up prices. It seems that a LOA I had written at the time on a Lance Johnson home jersey for a dealer, which the dealer offered in SCD ads, for that range, caused them to think I was selling their jerseys at an obscene profit.

I whisked off a letter of complaint to the White Sox expressing my outrage at being singled out for being the cause of this action, and what I had actually done with the jerseys I HAD bought. The team responded, with a denial (naturally) that anyone at the store had mentioned me by name (total garbage), then going on with a self-righteous rant about wanting fans, not dealers, to get them (understandable, but still didn’t warrant slandering me), and then a final concession to instruct store employees to no longer explain the reasons for the price increase (no need to do this unless they were already pointing fingers and laying blame).

The response came from a White Sox official whose name appears on many star jersey LOAs from the team. This same official was railed by the local media circa 1995, after responding to a fan who sent a complaint about a team policy by telling him something to the effect of “if you don’t like it, don’t come…we don’t need you”.

Fortunately, the offending individual has been gone now for several years, and the team, unlike in the 1990s with it’s “in your face” attitude, has done a major turnaround and is now better versed in the practice of being fan-friendly than the North Side team in town.

ACCURACY DEPT.

Give credit to eBay seller dbellmac. Offering a tagged retail 1990 Gregg Jefferies Mets jersey on eBay, he correctly and properly described it, making no effort to suggest it a game-used or team-issued. Too bad more sellers of Score Board and similar tagged retail jerseys avoid making the distinction.

DETROIT AREA WOMAN MAKES A CATCH

You don’t have to be a Waveland Avenue Ballhawk nor a McCovey Cove kayaker to catch a piece of history. Just ask Nikki Gianino of Monroe, Michigan. The female Tigers fan ended up grabbing (without a scrum) Gary Sheffield’s 496th career home run. It’s significance, however, was far greater to Major League Baseball than to Sheffield, as it was considered to be the 250,000th home run in MLB history. Gianino has the ball, and only seeks to have it signed. She attempted to get it autographed that night (before the #250,000 notation became public knowledge), but was rebuffed by Tigers ushers, enforcing a Wrigley Field-style policy of only allowing the wealthy folks who sit in the dugout area prime seats to approach the dugout.

OBITUARIES

Don Gutteridge, longtime MLB player, coach, and manager, and last living member of the 1944 St. Louis Browns American League Champions, died in Pittsburg, Kansas at age 96, after a month-long battle with pneumonia.

Also, Don Haskins, coach at Texas Western (now known as University of Texas-El Paso) for men’s basketball, died last week. His most memorable coaching moment was winning the 1966 NCAA Championship by starting five African-American players, unheard of in those racially tense times, in the title game against Kentucky.

9/11…NEVER FORGET

HALFWAY TO ST. PATRICK’S DAY (AGAIN)

By the time you read this, the Chicago White Sox will have again held their “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” promotion, with special activities at the Cell, and with the home team again wearing home uniforms with green and white the letter, logo and number colors, with green pinstripes to boot. Most likely, these will be released afterwards, with a few going to MLB.com auctions, and the rest put on the racks for this coming winter’s SoxFest.

The White Sox have had an on-again, off-again relationship with serious collectors and dealers, which, in recent years, have been largely on. However, it was not always so in the past.

When seats from the original Comiskey Park were offered to the public, prices were unprecedented for demolished stadium seats. One White Sox official admitted that the higher prices were intended to scare off dealers.

A few years later, the team’s disdain for serious collectors and dealers reared its head again, making yours truly the object of their scorn. The White Sox Gift Shop in suburban Oak Brook had begun selling the 1991 jerseys, then a new style. Several collectors from around the country asked me to get them jerseys. The team had them at $200 each, and I tacked on an extra $25 for my time and effort. I was able to buy several before being told the same thing by two area collectors who didn’t know each other. Apparently, the prices of game-used jerseys had been inflated to $500-$600 apiece. Worse yet, both said that store employees mentioned me, BY NAME, as the cause for the jacked-up prices. It seems that a LOA I had written at the time on a Lance Johnson home jersey for a dealer, which the dealer offered in SCD ads, for that range, caused them to think I was selling their jerseys at an obscene profit.

I whisked off a letter of complaint to the White Sox expressing my outrage at being singled out for being the cause of this action, and what I had actually done with the jerseys I HAD bought. The team responded, with a denial (naturally) that anyone at the store had mentioned me by name (total garbage), then going on with a self-righteous rant about wanting fans, not dealers, to get them (understandable, but still didn’t warrant slandering me), and then a final concession to instruct store employees to no longer explain the reasons for the price increase (no need to do this unless they were already pointing fingers and laying blame).

The response came from a White Sox official whose name appears on many star jersey LOAs from the team. This same official was railed by the local media circa 1995, after responding to a fan who sent a complaint about a team policy by telling him something to the effect of “if you don’t like it, don’t come…we don’t need you”.

Fortunately, the offending individual has been gone now for several years, and the team, unlike in the 1990s with it’s “in your face” attitude, has done a major turnaround and is now better versed in the practice of being fan-friendly than the North Side team in town.

ACCURACY DEPT.

Give credit to eBay seller dbellmac. Offering a tagged retail 1990 Gregg Jefferies Mets jersey on eBay, he correctly and properly described it, making no effort to suggest it a game-used or team-issued. Too bad more sellers of Score Board and similar tagged retail jerseys avoid making the distinction.

DETROIT AREA WOMAN MAKES A CATCH

You don’t have to be a Waveland Avenue Ballhawk nor a McCovey Cove kayaker to catch a piece of history. Just ask Nikki Gianino of Monroe, Michigan. The female Tigers fan ended up grabbing (without a scrum) Gary Sheffield’s 496th career home run. It’s significance, however, was far greater to Major League Baseball than to Sheffield, as it was considered to be the 250,000th home run in MLB history. Gianino has the ball, and only seeks to have it signed. She attempted to get it autographed that night (before the #250,000 notation became public knowledge), but was rebuffed by Tigers ushers, enforcing a Wrigley Field-style policy of only allowing the wealthy folks who sit in the dugout area prime seats to approach the dugout.

OBITUARIES

Don Gutteridge, longtime MLB player, coach, and manager, and last living member of the 1944 St. Louis Browns American League Champions, died in Pittsburg, Kansas at age 96, after a month-long battle with pneumonia.

Also, Don Haskins, coach at Texas Western (now known as University of Texas-El Paso) for men’s basketball, died last week. His most memorable coaching moment was winning the 1966 NCAA Championship by starting five African-American players, unheard of in those racially tense times, in the title game against Kentucky.

9/11…NEVER FORGET

CHICAGO MLB EQUIPMENT OFFERINGS

Fans attending games on either side of town this September might…just might…have an opportunity at game-worn or team-issued jerseys.

At U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox-Blue Jays game on September 10 will feature the last installment of the second season of “Win-A-Jersey Wednesdays”. Scratch-off cards are given to all fans entering the gates, and 15 fans with the proper tickets can go home with autographed jerseys, some of which are team-issued, fully tagged examples.

On the North Side, the situation is more dicey. The Cubs’ offices…so far…claim that there will be no end-of-season tent sale. For a number of years, the team has had a sale outside the park near the Addison-Sheffield corner that includes game-worn jerseys and game-used bats. Finding anything other than common names, unfortunately, is rare, as those are usually saved for the live auctions at the mid-winter Cubs Convention.

However, I digress…I’ve learned over the past several years that information given over the phone is often inaccurate. A few years ago, I called three days before the final homestand began and was assured by a team employee that there would be no sale. So, I took the bus/train to the first game, and…yep. The sale was in full swing.

If you feel moved to take the chance, however, be aware of this: a few years ago, the policy of access to the sale changed…instead of any fans being able to access the sale, only fans with game tickets were now allowed. The Cubs (of course) didn’t provide advance notice of this, and dozens of out-of-state fans were livid when they found that their trips were in vain.

FIGHTING ILLINI RELIVE BUTKUS ERA

On September 6, the Illinois college football team will wear throwback uniforms and helmets reflective of the Dick Butkus era in the mid-1960s at the Champaign-Urbana school. Game jerseys and helmets will be auctioned online at www.fightingillini.com . Also being auctioned will be team-issued, unworn jerseys of Butkus (#50) and 1920s legend Red Grange (#77).

COWBOYS SEAT PRESALE

Beginning September 5, the Dallas Cowboys will begin taking presale orders for seat pairs from soon to be retired Texas Stadium. The seats will remain intact until after the last home game of the season (including playoffs), and presold seat pairs will begin being shipped 30 to 60 days after that final game. Seats will be sold in pairs at $650/pair, including shipping. The sale can be summoned online at www.dallascowboys.com/seats .

UPSHAW TO BE HONORED

The late Gene Upshaw, Hall of Fame Oakland Raiders great and longtime NFLPA president, will be honored by all NFL teams in the 2008 regular season with a memoriam patch worn league-wide. The patch, to be worn on the jersey chests, will bear his initials (GU) and his Raiders uniform number (63).

THOME’S TRIP TO THE HALL

During an off-day last week, Jim Thome and his father travelled together to Cooperstown to give the museum his 500th home run ball, returned to him by the fan who caught it.

The Thome’s received a private tour of the Hall, including a viewing of items in storage. Both men got a chance to hold a couple of the Babe Ruth game bats the Hall owns.

OBITUARY

Dick Enderle, an 8-season NFL vet who played with Atlanta, the New York Giants, Green Bay and San Francisco from 1969-76, died in Manhattan this past Thursday. He was 60.

Cause of death has not yet been reported. He was apparently working out, and was found motionless next to an exercise machine. It does not appear that he was the victim of a criminal act.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? MAYBE AFTER THE CUBS AND SOX FINISH UP.

CHICAGO MLB EQUIPMENT OFFERINGS

Fans attending games on either side of town this September might…just might…have an opportunity at game-worn or team-issued jerseys.

At U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox-Blue Jays game on September 10 will feature the last installment of the second season of “Win-A-Jersey Wednesdays”. Scratch-off cards are given to all fans entering the gates, and 15 fans with the proper tickets can go home with autographed jerseys, some of which are team-issued, fully tagged examples.

On the North Side, the situation is more dicey. The Cubs’ offices…so far…claim that there will be no end-of-season tent sale. For a number of years, the team has had a sale outside the park near the Addison-Sheffield corner that includes game-worn jerseys and game-used bats. Finding anything other than common names, unfortunately, is rare, as those are usually saved for the live auctions at the mid-winter Cubs Convention.

However, I digress…I’ve learned over the past several years that information given over the phone is often inaccurate. A few years ago, I called three days before the final homestand began and was assured by a team employee that there would be no sale. So, I took the bus/train to the first game, and…yep. The sale was in full swing.

If you feel moved to take the chance, however, be aware of this: a few years ago, the policy of access to the sale changed…instead of any fans being able to access the sale, only fans with game tickets were now allowed. The Cubs (of course) didn’t provide advance notice of this, and dozens of out-of-state fans were livid when they found that their trips were in vain.

FIGHTING ILLINI RELIVE BUTKUS ERA

On September 6, the Illinois college football team will wear throwback uniforms and helmets reflective of the Dick Butkus era in the mid-1960s at the Champaign-Urbana school. Game jerseys and helmets will be auctioned online at www.fightingillini.com . Also being auctioned will be team-issued, unworn jerseys of Butkus (#50) and 1920s legend Red Grange (#77).

COWBOYS SEAT PRESALE

Beginning September 5, the Dallas Cowboys will begin taking presale orders for seat pairs from soon to be retired Texas Stadium. The seats will remain intact until after the last home game of the season (including playoffs), and presold seat pairs will begin being shipped 30 to 60 days after that final game. Seats will be sold in pairs at $650/pair, including shipping. The sale can be summoned online at www.dallascowboys.com/seats .

UPSHAW TO BE HONORED

The late Gene Upshaw, Hall of Fame Oakland Raiders great and longtime NFLPA president, will be honored by all NFL teams in the 2008 regular season with a memoriam patch worn league-wide. The patch, to be worn on the jersey chests, will bear his initials (GU) and his Raiders uniform number (63).

THOME’S TRIP TO THE HALL

During an off-day last week, Jim Thome and his father travelled together to Cooperstown to give the museum his 500th home run ball, returned to him by the fan who caught it.

The Thome’s received a private tour of the Hall, including a viewing of items in storage. Both men got a chance to hold a couple of the Babe Ruth game bats the Hall owns.

OBITUARY

Dick Enderle, an 8-season NFL vet who played with Atlanta, the New York Giants, Green Bay and San Francisco from 1969-76, died in Manhattan this past Thursday. He was 60.

Cause of death has not yet been reported. He was apparently working out, and was found motionless next to an exercise machine. It does not appear that he was the victim of a criminal act.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? MAYBE AFTER THE CUBS AND SOX FINISH UP.

NOT JUST IN NEW YORK CITY

Plenty of attention has been heaped upon the upcoming demise of both Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium and Steiner Sports’ involvement, and rightly so. Yet, two less heralded indoor sports arenas that closed their doors to the pros years ago are also facing a date with the wrecking ball, and are in the process of organizing or seeking organizers of arena memorabilia to be auctioned, such as seats.

In Dallas, Reunion Arena, the home of the NBA Dallas Mavericks until 2001, will be auctioning and selling arena memorabilia in the near future. Ditto Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium (a.k.a. “The Aud” to locals), which was the home of the NHL Sabres until the early part of this decade. Word is that the Sabres are seeking a professional auction entity to handle the proceedings.

ANOTHER SCORE BOARD JERSEY MISDESCRIBED

EBay viewers were recently offered a “game-used”, autographed 1989 Mike Schmidt home Phillies jersey that illustrates the real danger these tagged retail jerseys can cause. The seller was an eBay autograph dealer of the highest caliber, whose knowledge of autographs and practices in selling them are above reproach. However, this seller has no real experience in the game-used realm. I firmly believe that the misdescription was due to that lack of game-used sales pedigree, either a belief (more common in the past) that tags = authenticity, with an unfamiliarity of the 1989-90 Score Board tagged retail items, or being told by a customer or fellow dealer that the jersey was a gamer, either out of ignorance or with an agenda.

Lack of knowledge and/or recognition of these Score Board items is a bigger problem than willful deception. Most of the incorrectly labeled offerings of these on eBay are likely a matter of lack of knowledge, or refusal to accept the truth, as was the case a while back with one eBay seller who blew off advice from both Dave Bushing and myself regarding a Score Board Bo Jackson he was selling as game-used. Also not helping: at least one major game-used authenticator who has written LOA’s on over a dozen of these over the past year. In the near future, I will reprise my primer regarding what jerseys we issued in this manner, and any known means to identify the Score Board versions as opposed to the team issued variety.

MORE PHILLIES PHOLLIES

There, of course, are legitimate spring training jerseys. And then, there are “spring training” jerseys that are “upgraded”, often through lack of knowledge, by sellers with a minor league jersey (or several) that are explained away as MLB spring training wearables due to the jerseys not bearing a NOB or certain tagging.

Such was the case with a group of Rawlings Phillies home jerseys that were described as “spring training” gamers of various 1980s MLB players. Missing NOBs and without normal Phillies tagging, these were actually minor league jerseys made to sound better for unknown reasons. Sellers with these “spring training jerseys” never seem to be able to produce photographic evidence of their NOB or tag deficient items actually being worn in Florida or Arizona by Major Leaguers. So, when you hear that phrase describing something that doesn’t match known, photo-documented MLB jerseys you’ve seen, take it with a whole shaker of salt.

DIAMONDBACKS HISPANIC JERSEYS

The Arizona Diamondbacks will have a Hispanic celebration promotion during a home game this week. The team will wear “Los D-Backs” shirts, reminiscent of the Mets’ “Los Mets” gamers issued for similar promotions.

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

The New York Rangers will retire 32 numbers for 3 athletes in February, 2009. On the 3rd, Adam Graves will have his #9 retired. Then, on the 22nd, Andy Bathgate will also be honored for the #9 jersey, while Harry Howell will be feted with the retirement of his #3.

On the NHL patch front, the Montreal Canadiens will wear a team 100th Anniversary patch, as the Canadiens franchise predates the NHL itself. On the other side of the border, in Columbus, the Blue Jackets will wear a JHM memoriam patch for team founder John H. McConnell, who died during the current offseason.

OBITUARIES

Frank Cornish, a center-guard who played for five NFL teams in six seasons, died of a heart ailment at age 40. He was a member of the 1992 and 1993 Dallas Cowboys Championship teams. His father, Frank, also spent 6 years in th NFL, mostly with the Chicago Bears.

Kevin Duckworth, an 11-year NBA veteran who was one of the most popular players in Portland Trailblazers history, died of heart problems. He was 44.

CONGRATULATIONS USA MEN AND WOMEN FOR BRINGING THE BASKETBALL GOLD HOME.

NOT JUST IN NEW YORK CITY

Plenty of attention has been heaped upon the upcoming demise of both Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium and Steiner Sports’ involvement, and rightly so. Yet, two less heralded indoor sports arenas that closed their doors to the pros years ago are also facing a date with the wrecking ball, and are in the process of organizing or seeking organizers of arena memorabilia to be auctioned, such as seats.

In Dallas, Reunion Arena, the home of the NBA Dallas Mavericks until 2001, will be auctioning and selling arena memorabilia in the near future. Ditto Buffalo’s Memorial Auditorium (a.k.a. “The Aud” to locals), which was the home of the NHL Sabres until the early part of this decade. Word is that the Sabres are seeking a professional auction entity to handle the proceedings.

ANOTHER SCORE BOARD JERSEY MISDESCRIBED

EBay viewers were recently offered a “game-used”, autographed 1989 Mike Schmidt home Phillies jersey that illustrates the real danger these tagged retail jerseys can cause. The seller was an eBay autograph dealer of the highest caliber, whose knowledge of autographs and practices in selling them are above reproach. However, this seller has no real experience in the game-used realm. I firmly believe that the misdescription was due to that lack of game-used sales pedigree, either a belief (more common in the past) that tags = authenticity, with an unfamiliarity of the 1989-90 Score Board tagged retail items, or being told by a customer or fellow dealer that the jersey was a gamer, either out of ignorance or with an agenda.

Lack of knowledge and/or recognition of these Score Board items is a bigger problem than willful deception. Most of the incorrectly labeled offerings of these on eBay are likely a matter of lack of knowledge, or refusal to accept the truth, as was the case a while back with one eBay seller who blew off advice from both Dave Bushing and myself regarding a Score Board Bo Jackson he was selling as game-used. Also not helping: at least one major game-used authenticator who has written LOA’s on over a dozen of these over the past year. In the near future, I will reprise my primer regarding what jerseys we issued in this manner, and any known means to identify the Score Board versions as opposed to the team issued variety.

MORE PHILLIES PHOLLIES

There, of course, are legitimate spring training jerseys. And then, there are “spring training” jerseys that are “upgraded”, often through lack of knowledge, by sellers with a minor league jersey (or several) that are explained away as MLB spring training wearables due to the jerseys not bearing a NOB or certain tagging.

Such was the case with a group of Rawlings Phillies home jerseys that were described as “spring training” gamers of various 1980s MLB players. Missing NOBs and without normal Phillies tagging, these were actually minor league jerseys made to sound better for unknown reasons. Sellers with these “spring training jerseys” never seem to be able to produce photographic evidence of their NOB or tag deficient items actually being worn in Florida or Arizona by Major Leaguers. So, when you hear that phrase describing something that doesn’t match known, photo-documented MLB jerseys you’ve seen, take it with a whole shaker of salt.

DIAMONDBACKS HISPANIC JERSEYS

The Arizona Diamondbacks will have a Hispanic celebration promotion during a home game this week. The team will wear “Los D-Backs” shirts, reminiscent of the Mets’ “Los Mets” gamers issued for similar promotions.

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

The New York Rangers will retire 32 numbers for 3 athletes in February, 2009. On the 3rd, Adam Graves will have his #9 retired. Then, on the 22nd, Andy Bathgate will also be honored for the #9 jersey, while Harry Howell will be feted with the retirement of his #3.

On the NHL patch front, the Montreal Canadiens will wear a team 100th Anniversary patch, as the Canadiens franchise predates the NHL itself. On the other side of the border, in Columbus, the Blue Jackets will wear a JHM memoriam patch for team founder John H. McConnell, who died during the current offseason.

OBITUARIES

Frank Cornish, a center-guard who played for five NFL teams in six seasons, died of a heart ailment at age 40. He was a member of the 1992 and 1993 Dallas Cowboys Championship teams. His father, Frank, also spent 6 years in th NFL, mostly with the Chicago Bears.

Kevin Duckworth, an 11-year NBA veteran who was one of the most popular players in Portland Trailblazers history, died of heart problems. He was 44.

CONGRATULATIONS USA MEN AND WOMEN FOR BRINGING THE BASKETBALL GOLD HOME.

ENLIGHTENMENT IN DETROIT

In 2008, and for the past few years, the Detroit Tigers have been among the best friends a game-used baseball equipment collector could have. Items are sold by the team regularly, ranging from game-used baseballs to game-worn jerseys to most everything in between. The overseer of these sales, Marc Himelstein, is almost unanimously hailed as a fair seller and a quality guy. Things are good now, with the Tigers heeding the call of the game-used hobby, and offering an excellent response

Longtime collectors, however, remember what it was like in the 1980s and early ’90s, though, and the newbie in the hobby would be flabbergasted to learn.

Back 15, 20, 25 years ago, the Tigers were instead among the biggest (i) FOES for the game-used hobby. Jerseys worn by Tiger players went for a premium back then, as the team offered nothing in way of over-the-counter sales, and made no bulk sales to hobby dealers, the normal method of acquisition in that era, and one most teams that let jerseys loose went the route of.

Not only did they make no individual or bulk sales, they even tried to reclaim what they perceived to be illegally released. The team’s method of making that determination was to examine the manufacturer tag on a jersey (Wilson, Russell or Rawlings), and look for the handwritten notation “JS”. Those were the initials of team equipment manager Jimmy Schmakel, and those hand-inscribed initials were added to jerseys that were legitimately released.

Several Detroit area collectors of the day have told me of incognito Tigers team employees hitting a lot of the smaller card shows to hunt for Tigers game jerseys without those key initials. If found, the team reps confiscated them, threatening the owners with a call to the police and a charge of possession of stolen property being handed to them for these unitialed, improperly released (i.e., stolen) items. It got so that many dealers would bring jerseys and hide them under the table, only bringing them out when a request from a person they trusted and recognized was offered.

The tide began to turn slowly, beginning in 1992. The Tigers had a home game in which the jerseys worn were to be auctioned off in SCD afterwards, with SCD writer and Detroit show promoter Jim Hawkins running the auction. The jerseys from this game came with Tigers paperwork, and had a special notation written on the Russell tag in black marker signifying them as the jerseys from that game, referring to the beneficiary of the auction proceeds, Oakland County Special Olympics. The only bad part was that most of the jerseys worn looked like retail jerseys obtained for the player to wear for one game. There were no “100% Polyester” or “Intera” tags on the tail, and the retail collar tag was present. Still, it was a start.

Then, in 1995, the Tigers began a still-active custom of wearing Negro League retro uniforms for one home game tribute each season. First Russell, then AIS produced these, and auctions of some years (again involving Jim Hawkins) took place. The train was starting to chug.

In the middle-late 1990s, Pro-Am Sports, owned by Wayne “World B.” Otto, struck the first actual bulk deal with the Tigers. The sale included game and BP jerseys from the team’s mid-1980s Wilson issues all the way to 1995. Some were “blessed” with number and name changes or removals, but the thirst of Tigers game-used enthusiasts were starting to be quenched. On a smaller scale, Phillies niche expert and part-time dealer Howard Wolf picked up a moderate quantity of a scarce (even now) one-year style: the 1995 navy blue alternate game jrseys. They had a similarity to the team’s BP jerseys, but were knit instead of mesh. These were made by Russell, and were of the NNOB variety, with huge two-tone numbers on the back. The front chest logo was not the Olde English D by itself, but instead the upper case letter with a snarling Tiger walking through it. These were only worn for a small number of 1995 home contests, including one summer Saturday day game against Boston that I attended.

Today, those days are just a historical footnote in the story of game-used collecting, and the once-stingy Tigers have evolved into being among the best teams in the Majors to acquire the real thing from. Thank you, De-troit!!

CORRECTION DEPT

I don’t know if the information was wrong or if I read it wrong, but Bill Haelig, the Ripken family collector/expert, emailed to say that the 25th Anniversary 1983 World Champs Orioles patch, while worn on the home Turn Back The Clock jerseys worn while hosting Toronto, was NOT added to the standard game shirts afterwards.

I never mind getting an email of correction from Bill for a number of reasons. First, he comments knowledgeably on the areas he knows (Ripken family and Orioles, in general), and doesn’t come up with jabber just to make himself look good. Second, correction emails from him never include words like “idiot”, “moron”, or “incompetent”.
Finally, he sends emails that look like an intelligent, rational (he is both) person sent them…not a Mom’s basement pajama blogger nor a Type-A person who has to write everything in upper case letters with liberally added exclamation points. In short, he is a gentleman, and many in the hobby would be wise to emulate him.

OBITUARIES

Gene Upshaw, Oakland Raiders great, Hall of Famer, and 25-year president of the NFLPA, died of pancreatic cancer at age 63. No successor to his post has been named as of this writing.

Larry Hennessy, an All-American at Villanova and a two-year NBA player, died at age 79 this past Friday. He had his uniform number 14 retired by Villanova. As a pro, he played for the 1955-56 NBA Champion Philadelphia Warriors, and the following season for the Syracuse Nationals. ,

Finally. Darrin Winston, a longtime minor leaguer who finally made it to the Show for two seasons, died of leukemia at age 42. He joined the Phillies and played with Philly for 34 games in 1996-97.

TWO TEAMS, ONE CITY, BOTH IN FIRST, CHICAGO ROCKS!!

ENLIGHTENMENT IN DETROIT

In 2008, and for the past few years, the Detroit Tigers have been among the best friends a game-used baseball equipment collector could have. Items are sold by the team regularly, ranging from game-used baseballs to game-worn jerseys to most everything in between. The overseer of these sales, Marc Himelstein, is almost unanimously hailed as a fair seller and a quality guy. Things are good now, with the Tigers heeding the call of the game-used hobby, and offering an excellent response

Longtime collectors, however, remember what it was like in the 1980s and early ’90s, though, and the newbie in the hobby would be flabbergasted to learn.

Back 15, 20, 25 years ago, the Tigers were instead among the biggest (i) FOES for the game-used hobby. Jerseys worn by Tiger players went for a premium back then, as the team offered nothing in way of over-the-counter sales, and made no bulk sales to hobby dealers, the normal method of acquisition in that era, and one most teams that let jerseys loose went the route of.

Not only did they make no individual or bulk sales, they even tried to reclaim what they perceived to be illegally released. The team’s method of making that determination was to examine the manufacturer tag on a jersey (Wilson, Russell or Rawlings), and look for the handwritten notation “JS”. Those were the initials of team equipment manager Jimmy Schmakel, and those hand-inscribed initials were added to jerseys that were legitimately released.

Several Detroit area collectors of the day have told me of incognito Tigers team employees hitting a lot of the smaller card shows to hunt for Tigers game jerseys without those key initials. If found, the team reps confiscated them, threatening the owners with a call to the police and a charge of possession of stolen property being handed to them for these unitialed, improperly released (i.e., stolen) items. It got so that many dealers would bring jerseys and hide them under the table, only bringing them out when a request from a person they trusted and recognized was offered.

The tide began to turn slowly, beginning in 1992. The Tigers had a home game in which the jerseys worn were to be auctioned off in SCD afterwards, with SCD writer and Detroit show promoter Jim Hawkins running the auction. The jerseys from this game came with Tigers paperwork, and had a special notation written on the Russell tag in black marker signifying them as the jerseys from that game, referring to the beneficiary of the auction proceeds, Oakland County Special Olympics. The only bad part was that most of the jerseys worn looked like retail jerseys obtained for the player to wear for one game. There were no “100% Polyester” or “Intera” tags on the tail, and the retail collar tag was present. Still, it was a start.

Then, in 1995, the Tigers began a still-active custom of wearing Negro League retro uniforms for one home game tribute each season. First Russell, then AIS produced these, and auctions of some years (again involving Jim Hawkins) took place. The train was starting to chug.

In the middle-late 1990s, Pro-Am Sports, owned by Wayne “World B.” Otto, struck the first actual bulk deal with the Tigers. The sale included game and BP jerseys from the team’s mid-1980s Wilson issues all the way to 1995. Some were “blessed” with number and name changes or removals, but the thirst of Tigers game-used enthusiasts were starting to be quenched. On a smaller scale, Phillies niche expert and part-time dealer Howard Wolf picked up a moderate quantity of a scarce (even now) one-year style: the 1995 navy blue alternate game jrseys. They had a similarity to the team’s BP jerseys, but were knit instead of mesh. These were made by Russell, and were of the NNOB variety, with huge two-tone numbers on the back. The front chest logo was not the Olde English D by itself, but instead the upper case letter with a snarling Tiger walking through it. These were only worn for a small number of 1995 home contests, including one summer Saturday day game against Boston that I attended.

Today, those days are just a historical footnote in the story of game-used collecting, and the once-stingy Tigers have evolved into being among the best teams in the Majors to acquire the real thing from. Thank you, De-troit!!

CORRECTION DEPT

I don’t know if the information was wrong or if I read it wrong, but Bill Haelig, the Ripken family collector/expert, emailed to say that the 25th Anniversary 1983 World Champs Orioles patch, while worn on the home Turn Back The Clock jerseys worn while hosting Toronto, was NOT added to the standard game shirts afterwards.

I never mind getting an email of correction from Bill for a number of reasons. First, he comments knowledgeably on the areas he knows (Ripken family and Orioles, in general), and doesn’t come up with jabber just to make himself look good. Second, correction emails from him never include words like “idiot”, “moron”, or “incompetent”.
Finally, he sends emails that look like an intelligent, rational (he is both) person sent them…not a Mom’s basement pajama blogger nor a Type-A person who has to write everything in upper case letters with liberally added exclamation points. In short, he is a gentleman, and many in the hobby would be wise to emulate him.

OBITUARIES

Gene Upshaw, Oakland Raiders great, Hall of Famer, and 25-year president of the NFLPA, died of pancreatic cancer at age 63. No successor to his post has been named as of this writing.

Larry Hennessy, an All-American at Villanova and a two-year NBA player, died at age 79 this past Friday. He had his uniform number 14 retired by Villanova. As a pro, he played for the 1955-56 NBA Champion Philadelphia Warriors, and the following season for the Syracuse Nationals. ,

Finally. Darrin Winston, a longtime minor leaguer who finally made it to the Show for two seasons, died of leukemia at age 42. He joined the Phillies and played with Philly for 34 games in 1996-97.

TWO TEAMS, ONE CITY, BOTH IN FIRST, CHICAGO ROCKS!!

WHITE ELEPHANT CAPS

It was interesting to see not one, but two Athletics coaches caps up for bid on eBay recently. The genre is an unusual and groundbreaking one.

The practice began in 1965 in Kansas City, with a ’65 photo visible on manager Alvin Dark’s 1966 Topps card. The style bore the normal interlocking KC in green with a white crown and green brim. Upon the move to Oakland, a similarly hued cap with a green A was used in 1968-69. With the jersey logo adding the ” ‘s ” in 1970, the caps did likewise. The last trace of the caps I can find was in 1980, depicted on Billy Martin’s 1981 Fleer card. The examples I’ve seen were made by McAuliffe and KM Pro, although it’s possible other suppliers may exist.

While a scarce style, even rarer are the similarly designed caps that the manager and coaches of the White Sox and Senators broke out when playing the A’s. Photos of Eddie Stanky (Sox) and Gil Hodges (Nats) were featured in the 1990s in the old Diamond Duds newsletter. Other than the two photos, I have never seen the caps anywhere. Based on the managers depicted in the photos, likely years of usage would be 1966 and/or 1967.

JETS NFL THROWBACKS

Intended for the previous article but not making it in time, some news regarding New York Jets Throwbacks in upcoming games and seasons.

Murf Denny shared the news that the Jets would wear blue and yellow Titans throwbacks (the franchise’s original identity)
twice in the upcoming season: in the September 14 home opener vs. New England, and in an October 12 match-up with the Bengals. Further, the team, in conjunction with the Titans/Jets 50th Anniversary, has indicated plans to wear road Throwbacks in 2009.

GOOD GRIEF!

With all of the themed jerseys that are used in the minor leagues, you have to give Mike Veeck credit for a one-of-a-kind idea. In 2001, the St. Paul Saints came up with a doozie…jersey with the popular comic strip Peanuts as the theme. The jerseys were modeled after Charlie Brown’s shirt…yellow with the black zig-zag stripe circling the midsection. Now THAT is a unique baseball jersey!

THE NUMBERS GAME

Two notes on numbers to close out this installment. First, the recent deal that sent pitcher Paul Byrd to the Red Sox found him seeking…and getting…his favorite number (36) from young catcher Kevin Cash, who now wears #30.

Finally, The Edmonton Oilers have planned a ceremony for January 18, 2009 to retire the number of team great Glenn Anderson. Anderson’s #9 will be retired in honor of a team star who was on five Stanley Cup Championship teams in Edmonton’s Wayne Gretzky era, as well as a sixth with the New York Rangers.

MICHAEL PHELPS..YOU”RE WORTH YOUR WEIGHT IN GOLD!

WHITE ELEPHANT CAPS

It was interesting to see not one, but two Athletics coaches caps up for bid on eBay recently. The genre is an unusual and groundbreaking one.

The practice began in 1965 in Kansas City, with a ’65 photo visible on manager Alvin Dark’s 1966 Topps card. The style bore the normal interlocking KC in green with a white crown and green brim. Upon the move to Oakland, a similarly hued cap with a green A was used in 1968-69. With the jersey logo adding the ” ‘s ” in 1970, the caps did likewise. The last trace of the caps I can find was in 1980, depicted on Billy Martin’s 1981 Fleer card. The examples I’ve seen were made by McAuliffe and KM Pro, although it’s possible other suppliers may exist.

While a scarce style, even rarer are the similarly designed caps that the manager and coaches of the White Sox and Senators broke out when playing the A’s. Photos of Eddie Stanky (Sox) and Gil Hodges (Nats) were featured in the 1990s in the old Diamond Duds newsletter. Other than the two photos, I have never seen the caps anywhere. Based on the managers depicted in the photos, likely years of usage would be 1966 and/or 1967.

JETS NFL THROWBACKS

Intended for the previous article but not making it in time, some news regarding New York Jets Throwbacks in upcoming games and seasons.

Murf Denny shared the news that the Jets would wear blue and yellow Titans throwbacks (the franchise’s original identity)
twice in the upcoming season: in the September 14 home opener vs. New England, and in an October 12 match-up with the Bengals. Further, the team, in conjunction with the Titans/Jets 50th Anniversary, has indicated plans to wear road Throwbacks in 2009.

GOOD GRIEF!

With all of the themed jerseys that are used in the minor leagues, you have to give Mike Veeck credit for a one-of-a-kind idea. In 2001, the St. Paul Saints came up with a doozie…jersey with the popular comic strip Peanuts as the theme. The jerseys were modeled after Charlie Brown’s shirt…yellow with the black zig-zag stripe circling the midsection. Now THAT is a unique baseball jersey!

THE NUMBERS GAME

Two notes on numbers to close out this installment. First, the recent deal that sent pitcher Paul Byrd to the Red Sox found him seeking…and getting…his favorite number (36) from young catcher Kevin Cash, who now wears #30.

Finally, The Edmonton Oilers have planned a ceremony for January 18, 2009 to retire the number of team great Glenn Anderson. Anderson’s #9 will be retired in honor of a team star who was on five Stanley Cup Championship teams in Edmonton’s Wayne Gretzky era, as well as a sixth with the New York Rangers.

MICHAEL PHELPS..YOU”RE WORTH YOUR WEIGHT IN GOLD!

PROFESSIONAL LOOKING< BUT NOT GAME ISSUED

This space has covered the 1989-90 Score Board MLB jerseys as 1991-92 NBA Commemorative Collection jerseys. Of course, other nice-looking items have also been made with no use or contact with the player they are identified with. Three examples are to follow:

Anaconda-Kaye Bats: Before taking their current identity as Anaconda Sports, A-K, about 20 years ago, issued game quality, pro-marked bats of numerous superstars in conjunction with Louisville Slugger. The A-K versions were, of course, not used, and also carried a horizontal underline beneath the 125 designation in the centerbrand. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop some unsavory types from creating their own “game wear” and finding a container of wood filler to obscure that troublesome underline.

Eric Kramer Bears jerseys: Many of the unused, pro-cut NFL jerseys of the last 10 to 12 years could have originated in the way that a number of unused Bears road Eric Kramer shirts from the team’s Nike years did. Several were out for sale at a Bears Convention in the late 1990’s, and still individually bagged from the supplier. A worker explained that the group of Kramer threads (over a half-dozen) were made for charity auctions and for Kramer to give out to friends and other folks who asked him for a jersey.

Frank Thomas 1994: Although Thomas did sometimes wear Wilson jerseys with the White Sox, and could have conceivably worn a handful of these, the Sox mass-produced Thomas’ 1994 road shirts for auctions, with a number of them sneaking out the back door. These versions are identifiable by the small Wilson tag in lieu of the larger Prestige Teams tag, and a stitched “94” box tag. as opposed tho the normal NIT/year/set strip tag.

Also ordered in numbers for the same reasons: Thomas first baseman’s mitts, apparently with a smaller embroidered name than the actual game-issued counterparts. Several of these invaded the market as “game-used”, although the “use” came from people convicted in the 1990s Operation Foul Ball scam playing catch with each other in the park.

I have one other, somewhat older example to share as soon as I get a chance to research the details.

SCRAP IRON REMEMBERED

I was asked by a collector off-site about a 1974 Braves gamer that bore a black armband on the left sleeve. He couldn’t recall anyone from Atlanta passing away at that point, so he tossed the ball to me. Thankfully, I was able to shoot a 3-pointer with it.

The Richmond Braves, the longtime Class AAA farm club of Atlanta, wore various older Braves MLB gamers sent to them for recycling in 1975. That’s where the band was added…Richmond manager Clint Courtney, the feisty, bespectacled 1950’s catcher, died of a heart attack on a mid-season road trip to Rochester, with the addition of the black armband resulting.

BASEBALL FIRST

While World Series special issue game baseballs were made as far back at 1978, and All-Star game balls followed several years later, special issue game baseballs for regular season events didn’t appear until 1991. To coincide with the opening of the new Comiskey Park (now known as U.S. Cellular Field), a White Sox front office staffer and a local Sox Fan businessman suggested a commemorative baseball celebrating the new stadium’s opening. The team adopted the idea, and the ball was used in all 81 home games, and also mixed into the batting practice stash, as well. Others have followed, but this was the first.

OBITUARIES

Skip Caray, longtime announcer for the Atlanta Braves, died last Sunday at age 68. Caray’s health had been fading for several months, and he was limited to broadcasting only home games for the time he worked in 2008. He also broadcasted basketball in the past, calling Hawks games in both St. Louis and Atlanta.

Also, Karl Kuehl died Wednesday at age 70 of pulmonary fibrosis. he managed the Montreal Expos for most of the 1976 season, and subsequently served on the Minnesota Twins coaching staff for 6 years.

CUBS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE…PLAN TO WATCH A LOT OF CUBS GAMES IN OCTOBER!

THE RING’S THE THING

OBITUARIES

WELCOME ABOARD THE WORLD SERIES EXPRESS, RICH HARDEN AND CHAD GAUDIN!!

MORE MILITARY MUSINGS

Add the Cincinnati Reds to the list of military camouflage uniforms in 2008. The Reds wore theirs on July 6th.

Also, one camo-clad coach had a sense of humor about the special wearables. Remembering the edict that base coaches must wear helmets when in the third or first base boxes, White Sox third base coach Jeff Cox took the field on the 4th wearing a green GI combat helmet with a white Sox decal added to the front.

MORE VIKINGS HEAD-SCRATCHERS

ONE UNIQUE BALLHAWK

and a Mark McGwire circuit clout (#48) during the great home run chase of 1998. And, no, neither is for sale. Unlike ballhawk.net, who places most of his catches on eBay at inflated prices, Vangeloff keeps ’em all. He turned down a $1500 offer for the McGwire the day he got it.

THE RING’S THE THING

OBITUARIES

WELCOME ABOARD THE WORLD SERIES EXPRESS, RICH HARDEN AND CHAD GAUDIN!!

GAME-USED JERSEY DOGMA IN THE 1970’S

It’s amazing how far we’ve come in this hobby in 30+ years. The Internet, dealer bulk purchases, hobby sources like Steiner and MeiGray, authenticators, niche experts…these days, it’s hard to believe that the three beliefs and practices, which seem so uninformed and primitive today, we’re the standard beliefs of most game-used collectors thirty-some years ago:

Tags: databases on MEARS website and others show the time, shape, color, size, and any other aspect you’d want to know about what should be in a jersey. And, of course, forged tags are easy to detect for those in the know, such as in Dave Grob’s recent article on the Hank Aaron Braves jersey.

Yet, back in the era of Ford and Carter, most collectors accepted anything as genuine if it had tags. Not the right tags… any tags. Exemplars were hard to obtain, as the hobby was then in an adversarial position with pro sports leagues. Bulk buys were just beginning at the end of this decade. And perfectly legitimate jerseys, such as Goodman-issued Dodgers knits, often went wanting because “they don’t have tags, so they can’t be real”. Meanwhile, fakes like the 1975 White Sox Dick Allen jersey with the red embroidery in the NIC and tail strip tags, went from owner to owner for many years, before winding up in the auspices of the White Sox themselves for a ballpark display.

Autographed jerseys: Many, if not most collectors, held the belief back in this time frame that a player wouldn’t autograph a jersey unless it was a game-used item. We can easily see the foolishness of such claims today, but, back then, it was borderline gospel, as was the case with two Chicago area collecting brothers of the time, both of whom were thoroughly convinced their 1975 McAuliffe-made Brewers home knit of Hank Aaron had to be real…after all, he signed it, didn’t he?

Flannels: Today, flannels are seen for what they truly are…often scarce or rare, always a window into history, and costly. Back in the ’70’s, though, flannels were anathema to many collectors. The mindset of jersey collecting back then was often one of “dress to impress”…get a wild or popular jersey style (Yankees pinstripe, Astros Rainbow, Indians red, and wear it to impress your softball buddies, pick up babes at the local singles bar, ad nauseum. Flannels usually went for LESS than the more superficially sought knits…you may have had to fork over $200 for even a lesser name Astros rainbow gamer, but could have some flannels for as little as $50. At a card show of the era, the late Dr. John Goldberg had two common flannels, a $65 asking price for the pair, and threatened to burn them and/or throw them in the garbage if they weren’t sold by show’s end. I much prefer the way it is now.

HALO, BIDDERS!

A new and bigger group of Angels TBTC 1971 home jerseys (worn in May of this year) are up for auction on MLB.com. Also showing up on the sport’s auction site: Rays TBTC St. Petersburg Pelicans and 2006 TBTC Tampa Tarpons; Astros Rainbow TBTCs; and Mariners 1978 TBTC road gamers (not cheap) from their June 28th retro-1978 game with the Padres at San Diego (the Pads also wore 1978-style unies, as well).

2 PRO LINE TAGS = 1 RETAIL JERSEY

Upon the heels of the retail Vikings Puma jersey (black size tag instead of white) mentioned last week, another Vikes jersey of retail origin popped up on eBay with a game-used description.

The jersey, a NNOB type like the bogus Puma piece, is a Starter with 2 Pro Line tags. The Pro Line notation is correct to appear on the Starter supplier label itself, but a second Pro Line tag, similar to those found on Wilson NFL retail items, and no year notation box tag tends to frown on this item being an actual team piece.

NO BRAWL HERE

With the inevitable legal dispute that every milestone home run that lands in a fan area seems to bring these days, it was nice to see the aftermath of Albert Pujols’ 300th homer. The ball hit the left field foul pole, and bounced back on the field.

OBITUARY

I usually don’t publish coaching obits if the deceased wasn’t also a uniformed player of the sport at one point, but this one merits an exception.

John Pont, a football coach for Miami of Ohio, Yale, Indiana and Northwestern (in that order) succumbed to a long battle with leukemia on July 1. He was 80.

Pont’s big moment as a coach came in 1967. The previous year’s Hoosiers gridiron squad went 1-8-1. He turned the team around that year, finishing 9-2, including a 1968 Rose Bowl loss to USC. To this day, it was the only Rose Bowl appearance in Indiana’s history.

SALUTING OUR MILITARY

In addition to the stars and stripes logo caps MLB teams are wearing this weekend, the White Sox hosted Oakland on July 4th wearing military camouflage jerseys.

BIG Z IS HEALTHY AND DEALIN’…THIS IS THE YEAR!!

GAME-USED JERSEY DOGMA IN THE 1970’S

It’s amazing how far we’ve come in this hobby in 30+ years. The Internet, dealer bulk purchases, hobby sources like Steiner and MeiGray, authenticators, niche experts…these days, it’s hard to believe that the three beliefs and practices, which seem so uninformed and primitive today, we’re the standard beliefs of most game-used collectors thirty-some years ago:

Tags: databases on MEARS website and others show the time, shape, color, size, and any other aspect you’d want to know about what should be in a jersey. And, of course, forged tags are easy to detect for those in the know, such as in Dave Grob’s recent article on the Hank Aaron Braves jersey.

Yet, back in the era of Ford and Carter, most collectors accepted anything as genuine if it had tags. Not the right tags… any tags. Exemplars were hard to obtain, as the hobby was then in an adversarial position with pro sports leagues. Bulk buys were just beginning at the end of this decade. And perfectly legitimate jerseys, such as Goodman-issued Dodgers knits, often went wanting because “they don’t have tags, so they can’t be real”. Meanwhile, fakes like the 1975 White Sox Dick Allen jersey with the red embroidery in the NIC and tail strip tags, went from owner to owner for many years, before winding up in the auspices of the White Sox themselves for a ballpark display.

Autographed jerseys: Many, if not most collectors, held the belief back in this time frame that a player wouldn’t autograph a jersey unless it was a game-used item. We can easily see the foolishness of such claims today, but, back then, it was borderline gospel, as was the case with two Chicago area collecting brothers of the time, both of whom were thoroughly convinced their 1975 McAuliffe-made Brewers home knit of Hank Aaron had to be real…after all, he signed it, didn’t he?

Flannels: Today, flannels are seen for what they truly are…often scarce or rare, always a window into history, and costly. Back in the ’70’s, though, flannels were anathema to many collectors. The mindset of jersey collecting back then was often one of “dress to impress”…get a wild or popular jersey style (Yankees pinstripe, Astros Rainbow, Indians red, and wear it to impress your softball buddies, pick up babes at the local singles bar, ad nauseum. Flannels usually went for LESS than the more superficially sought knits…you may have had to fork over $200 for even a lesser name Astros rainbow gamer, but could have some flannels for as little as $50. At a card show of the era, the late Dr. John Goldberg had two common flannels, a $65 asking price for the pair, and threatened to burn them and/or throw them in the garbage if they weren’t sold by show’s end. I much prefer the way it is now.

HALO, BIDDERS!

A new and bigger group of Angels TBTC 1971 home jerseys (worn in May of this year) are up for auction on MLB.com. Also showing up on the sport’s auction site: Rays TBTC St. Petersburg Pelicans and 2006 TBTC Tampa Tarpons; Astros Rainbow TBTCs; and Mariners 1978 TBTC road gamers (not cheap) from their June 28th retro-1978 game with the Padres at San Diego (the Pads also wore 1978-style unies, as well).

2 PRO LINE TAGS = 1 RETAIL JERSEY

Upon the heels of the retail Vikings Puma jersey (black size tag instead of white) mentioned last week, another Vikes jersey of retail origin popped up on eBay with a game-used description.

The jersey, a NNOB type like the bogus Puma piece, is a Starter with 2 Pro Line tags. The Pro Line notation is correct to appear on the Starter supplier label itself, but a second Pro Line tag, similar to those found on Wilson NFL retail items, and no year notation box tag tends to frown on this item being an actual team piece.

NO BRAWL HERE

With the inevitable legal dispute that every milestone home run that lands in a fan area seems to bring these days, it was nice to see the aftermath of Albert Pujols’ 300th homer. The ball hit the left field foul pole, and bounced back on the field.

OBITUARY

I usually don’t publish coaching obits if the deceased wasn’t also a uniformed player of the sport at one point, but this one merits an exception.

John Pont, a football coach for Miami of Ohio, Yale, Indiana and Northwestern (in that order) succumbed to a long battle with leukemia on July 1. He was 80.

Pont’s big moment as a coach came in 1967. The previous year’s Hoosiers gridiron squad went 1-8-1. He turned the team around that year, finishing 9-2, including a 1968 Rose Bowl loss to USC. To this day, it was the only Rose Bowl appearance in Indiana’s history.

SALUTING OUR MILITARY

In addition to the stars and stripes logo caps MLB teams are wearing this weekend, the White Sox hosted Oakland on July 4th wearing military camouflage jerseys.

BIG Z IS HEALTHY AND DEALIN’…THIS IS THE YEAR!!

HOF DONATION

The Hall of Fame Game between the Cubs and Padres was rained out, but not before a ceremony in which Greg Maddux donated to the Hall the jersey he wore in his 350th victory.

PINK BATS ON MLB.COM

The first wave of pink MLB Mothers’ Day bats is on MLB.com’s auction listing at present. Bids close anywhere from July 7th through the 10th, based on each individual bat.

O”S REMEMBER JIM

No, not Jim Palmer, as he’s quite alive and well. The Orioles are wearing black mourning bands on their right sleeves for recently deceased announcing great Jim McKay. The voice of Wide World of Sports was a minority owner of the team.

PHONY PUMA PIECE

I recently saw a retail Puma Vikings jersey being offered on eBay as a game used jersey. Sad to say, it wasn’t, as the Puma size tag, white on pro-issued Puma shirts, was black (the retail tag color) on this one…a little tip I learned many moons ago from game-used dealer Jim Yackel.

NOSTALGIA NEWS

Some of the latest TBTC styles and other specials include the following:

June 21: Give credit to the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite being only in their 11th year, they find new and different styles to wear for every retro game. This day, it was a 1989 St. Petersburg Pelicans uniform being recreated. The Pelicans were the 1989 Champions of the defunct Senior Professional Baseball League, a late fall/winter operation in Florida back then that feature pro players from the 1960s and ’70s on rosters. The Astros, meanwhile, went back to the 1975-86 rainbow jerseys for yet another time.

June 22: AIS produced Negro League attire for the Royals and Giants…a different Kansas City Monarchs style for the Royals, and a 1927 barnstorming Royal Giants design for San Francisco.

Also June 22: The Padres again wore their military camouflage uniforms.

GUESS SOMEONE DIDN”T CHECK GETTY IMAGES

A recent eBay lot had what was described as a Josh Hamilton game used Reds jersey. Hamilton’s only season with the Reds was 2007, and the home jersey, shown front and back, is posted alongside a 2007 photo of Hamilton’s back…with a NOB and numeric font that doesn’t even come close to the one on the seller’s jersey. Even the low $75 opening bid (a red flag right there) hadn’t brought a bid as of this writing. I wonder why…?

HISTORY MADE

Aaron Boone poked an infield single Wednesday night that created an unprecedented statistical milestone. Aaron’s single was his 1000 career MLB hit, meaning that three generations of baseball-playing Boones (the late Ray Boone, his son, Bob, and Bob’s offspring, Bret and Aaron) all have piled up at least 1000 hits in the Bigs.

OBITUARIES

Tom Catlin, a LB in the 1950s, died from complications from surgery at age 76. He played for five seasons: four for Cleveland, and the final one for Philadelphia.

Jonathan Goddard, a DE who played one game for the 2005 Colts, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was 27.

Lastly, Bert Shepard, a wartime Major Leaguer, died on June 16, just short of his 88th birthday. Shepard’s lone MLB appearance was on August 4, 1945, when he took the mound in relief for the Washington Senators, and hurled 5 1/3 innings to close the game, yielding only 1 earned run.

BATISTA….TAKE DOWN EDGE!!!

HOF DONATION

The Hall of Fame Game between the Cubs and Padres was rained out, but not before a ceremony in which Greg Maddux donated to the Hall the jersey he wore in his 350th victory.

PINK BATS ON MLB.COM

The first wave of pink MLB Mothers’ Day bats is on MLB.com’s auction listing at present. Bids close anywhere from July 7th through the 10th, based on each individual bat.

O”S REMEMBER JIM

No, not Jim Palmer, as he’s quite alive and well. The Orioles are wearing black mourning bands on their right sleeves for recently deceased announcing great Jim McKay. The voice of Wide World of Sports was a minority owner of the team.

PHONY PUMA PIECE

I recently saw a retail Puma Vikings jersey being offered on eBay as a game used jersey. Sad to say, it wasn’t, as the Puma size tag, white on pro-issued Puma shirts, was black (the retail tag color) on this one…a little tip I learned many moons ago from game-used dealer Jim Yackel.

NOSTALGIA NEWS

Some of the latest TBTC styles and other specials include the following:

June 21: Give credit to the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite being only in their 11th year, they find new and different styles to wear for every retro game. This day, it was a 1989 St. Petersburg Pelicans uniform being recreated. The Pelicans were the 1989 Champions of the defunct Senior Professional Baseball League, a late fall/winter operation in Florida back then that feature pro players from the 1960s and ’70s on rosters. The Astros, meanwhile, went back to the 1975-86 rainbow jerseys for yet another time.

June 22: AIS produced Negro League attire for the Royals and Giants…a different Kansas City Monarchs style for the Royals, and a 1927 barnstorming Royal Giants design for San Francisco.

Also June 22: The Padres again wore their military camouflage uniforms.

GUESS SOMEONE DIDN”T CHECK GETTY IMAGES

A recent eBay lot had what was described as a Josh Hamilton game used Reds jersey. Hamilton’s only season with the Reds was 2007, and the home jersey, shown front and back, is posted alongside a 2007 photo of Hamilton’s back…with a NOB and numeric font that doesn’t even come close to the one on the seller’s jersey. Even the low $75 opening bid (a red flag right there) hadn’t brought a bid as of this writing. I wonder why…?

HISTORY MADE

Aaron Boone poked an infield single Wednesday night that created an unprecedented statistical milestone. Aaron’s single was his 1000 career MLB hit, meaning that three generations of baseball-playing Boones (the late Ray Boone, his son, Bob, and Bob’s offspring, Bret and Aaron) all have piled up at least 1000 hits in the Bigs.

OBITUARIES

Tom Catlin, a LB in the 1950s, died from complications from surgery at age 76. He played for five seasons: four for Cleveland, and the final one for Philadelphia.

Jonathan Goddard, a DE who played one game for the 2005 Colts, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was 27.

Lastly, Bert Shepard, a wartime Major Leaguer, died on June 16, just short of his 88th birthday. Shepard’s lone MLB appearance was on August 4, 1945, when he took the mound in relief for the Washington Senators, and hurled 5 1/3 innings to close the game, yielding only 1 earned run.

BATISTA….TAKE DOWN EDGE!!!

PATCH & LOGO NEWS

Our old pal Murf Denny has a bit of NFL information available to share.

First off, the Detroit Lions, at least for 2008, are retiring their black alternate jerseys. The upcoming season will be their 75th Anniversary, and, in addition to the appropriate uniform patch, the team will wear their normal Thanksgiving throwback-type unies as an alternate outfit.

Second, the St. Louis Rams will wear a memoriam patch for recently deceased owner Georgia Frontiere.

And, finally, the NFL logo will undergo a change. The new logo will depict a football similar to the one atop the Lombardi trophy, and 8 stars, one for each NFL division.

TAG CHRONOLOGY 101

One recently offered eBay item stood out like a sore thumb. An alleged 1990 gamer of Barry Bonds as a Pirate betrayed its seller’s description by sporting a mid-1990s red Rawlings tag (the design which carried no size on the tag, and used a flagged size tag instead. It’s amazing how forgers (and I can’t say if the seller or a previous owner were the forging party) sometimes miss such obvious inconsistencies.

NBA FINALS NEWS

Game-worn jerseys and other items, all from the first three games of the 2008 NBA Finals, are being auctioned on www.nba.com currently, with some items closing on the 24th and others on the 26th. The jerseys offered will be entered in the MeiGray Sports database.

One item they WON’T have, though, unless situations change, will be the only alternate uniform worn in the six-game Boston victory. The Lakers wore their Sunday home white alternates for the Game Five action.

65 YEARS AGO IN THE NFL

World War II created some temporary alliances in the NFL due to so many players being in the service. This past Thursday was the date in 1943 that the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers were given the OK by the league to merge for the season, being known as Phil-Pitt, and dubbed in some quarters as the Steagles. The Eagles took back their individual identity for the 1944 season, but the Steelers went the merger route again, hooking up with the Chicago Cardinals.

OBITUARIES

John Rauch, the coach of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl 2 and a three-year NFL player with the New York Bulldogs, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Eagles, died in his sleep at age 80.

Mitch Frerotte, a member of the Buffalo Bills in 1987 and 1990-92, died at home of unknown causes at age 43.

Roy Getliffe, a 1940s era NHL player who first gave Canadiens legend Maurice Richard the nickname “The Rocket”, passed away at age 94.

Mike Dukes, a LB for the 49ers, Oilers and Patriots from 1959-65, was killed in a traffic accident. He was 72.

And, finally, former MLB pitcher John Buzhardt, an 11-year MLB vet whose best seasons came from 1962-67 with the White Sox, died June 15 at age 71 in South Carolina.

NICE GOING, CELTICS! THE BIG TICKET DESERVES A RING!

PATCH & LOGO NEWS

Our old pal Murf Denny has a bit of NFL information available to share.

First off, the Detroit Lions, at least for 2008, are retiring their black alternate jerseys. The upcoming season will be their 75th Anniversary, and, in addition to the appropriate uniform patch, the team will wear their normal Thanksgiving throwback-type unies as an alternate outfit.

Second, the St. Louis Rams will wear a memoriam patch for recently deceased owner Georgia Frontiere.

And, finally, the NFL logo will undergo a change. The new logo will depict a football similar to the one atop the Lombardi trophy, and 8 stars, one for each NFL division.

TAG CHRONOLOGY 101

One recently offered eBay item stood out like a sore thumb. An alleged 1990 gamer of Barry Bonds as a Pirate betrayed its seller’s description by sporting a mid-1990s red Rawlings tag (the design which carried no size on the tag, and used a flagged size tag instead. It’s amazing how forgers (and I can’t say if the seller or a previous owner were the forging party) sometimes miss such obvious inconsistencies.

NBA FINALS NEWS

Game-worn jerseys and other items, all from the first three games of the 2008 NBA Finals, are being auctioned on www.nba.com currently, with some items closing on the 24th and others on the 26th. The jerseys offered will be entered in the MeiGray Sports database.

One item they WON’T have, though, unless situations change, will be the only alternate uniform worn in the six-game Boston victory. The Lakers wore their Sunday home white alternates for the Game Five action.

65 YEARS AGO IN THE NFL

World War II created some temporary alliances in the NFL due to so many players being in the service. This past Thursday was the date in 1943 that the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers were given the OK by the league to merge for the season, being known as Phil-Pitt, and dubbed in some quarters as the Steagles. The Eagles took back their individual identity for the 1944 season, but the Steelers went the merger route again, hooking up with the Chicago Cardinals.

OBITUARIES

John Rauch, the coach of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl 2 and a three-year NFL player with the New York Bulldogs, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Eagles, died in his sleep at age 80.

Mitch Frerotte, a member of the Buffalo Bills in 1987 and 1990-92, died at home of unknown causes at age 43.

Roy Getliffe, a 1940s era NHL player who first gave Canadiens legend Maurice Richard the nickname “The Rocket”, passed away at age 94.

Mike Dukes, a LB for the 49ers, Oilers and Patriots from 1959-65, was killed in a traffic accident. He was 72.

And, finally, former MLB pitcher John Buzhardt, an 11-year MLB vet whose best seasons came from 1962-67 with the White Sox, died June 15 at age 71 in South Carolina.

NICE GOING, CELTICS! THE BIG TICKET DESERVES A RING!

GET IT IN WRITING

A recent visit to Chicago reminded me of an old article from the mid-1990s in which LaSorda admitted to fibbing to a family friend about an item of memorabilia he gave him.

The piece was in the Chicago Tribune and was written by Jerome Holtzman, who now assists Bud Selig regarding baseball history. Holtzman’s love of baseball is virtually unsurpassed…unfortunately, being old-school means borderline worship of the guys he writes about, so no challenge of his duplicity was issued to LaSorda by Holtzman.

The gist of the situation was that Tommy Dodger had an autographed baseball he gave to a friend who was a butcher. LaSorda’s lie came when he told his butcher buddy that the ball was a home run hit by Snider in a World Series game. Never figuring that LaSorda would cross him up, the elated meat man gave LaSorda a half-dozen of his best steaks. When mildly challenged by his wife as to why he lied to the guy, LaSorda’s excuse was to the effect of “It’s OK to lie if you make somebody feel good doing it.

Boy, I’d hate to be that butcher if, someday, he goes to an auction house convinced that his brand new, signed Coleman or White ball is a 1950’s era Duke Snider World Series long ball.

BRAVES GO RETRO TWICE IN TEN DAYS

After the news came of the Braves and Cubs wearing Turn Back the Clock uniforms of 1948 design at Wrigley Field June 12, it has been learned since then that the Braves will go retro again on June 21, when they play the Tampa Bay Rays. The uniforms will apparently be raffled off at the game.

THE CHEAP AND EXPENSIVE OF IT

If you want an example of two sellers with totally opposite views of what the same player’s jersey is worth, consider two jerseys of future St. Louis Cardinal Colby Rasmus offered by two different sellers on the Bay. On one hand, an auction featuring pink breast cancer awareness jerseys worn on May 18th by the Memphis Redbirds found Rasmus’ jersey being won for a bit under $350…reasonable for a special issued uniform of a high-profile prospect.

Then, there’s the Cardinals road spring training jersey (with a farmhand jersey number) of Rasmus that one seller tried to peddle twice for $2,500! Both instances ended up with no bids…and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.

HOW DO FORGERS PLY THEIR CRAFT

If you wondered how the mind of a forger works, consider this tale, from a while back, concerning a legitimate dealer whose antennae went up when he spoke with a forger he didn’t know.

The legit dealer, in this reminiscence, was Mike Nardone, a Boston area Carlton Fisk enthusiast who acquired a large quantity of late 1980s Boston Red Sox game-worn pants.

The forger, henceforth known as The Forger, is known to many veteran collectors. He hails from a rural part of the Midwest, and has used at least three aliases to identify himself.

The Forger called Nardone after seeing his SCD classified ad for the Red Sox pants. His stated claim was that he wanted to buy a quantity of pants for his local softball team. To Nardone, though, it seemed odd that The Forger wanted only Rawlings road pants, as the home white Wilsons were in better condition and made better.

When Nardone mentioned these things to The Forger, The Forger responded that “my players like the way the Rawlings pants are tagged better”.

Seeing a red flag there, Nardone held off a sale until he was able to talk to a few prominent people in that era’s game used hobby, seeking opinions on The Forger’s reputation. I was one of the people he contacted, and my concerns were echoing the three hobbyists he had already spoken with. Figuring out what The Forger would do with these pants based on the input he received, he refused to sell anything to The Forger.

Now, what was the consensus opinion regarding The Forger’s plans? For him, the Wilson home Boston pants only had a strip tag in the waistband. The road versions, by Rawlings, had a strip tag plus a flag tag, which it was figured would be removed by The Forger and added to replica Rawlings jerseys in an effort to fake a game-used shirt.

Be aware…Mike could have made the sale, enriched himself, and let the chips fall where they may. Instead, he did his homework, and refused to be a party to The Forger’s chicanery.

OBITUARY

Dwight White, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ legendary Steel Curtain defense, died Saturday. He was 58.

White had been hospitalized for back surgery, and was recently readmitted due to complications. He is the second member of the Steel Curtain to lose his life in 2008, as Ernie Holmes was killed on January 17 in a car accident.

ONE CITY, TWO TEAMS, #1 IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISIONS…CUBS-WHITE SOX 2008 WORLD SERIES!!

GET IT IN WRITING

A recent visit to Chicago reminded me of an old article from the mid-1990s in which LaSorda admitted to fibbing to a family friend about an item of memorabilia he gave him.

The piece was in the Chicago Tribune and was written by Jerome Holtzman, who now assists Bud Selig regarding baseball history. Holtzman’s love of baseball is virtually unsurpassed…unfortunately, being old-school means borderline worship of the guys he writes about, so no challenge of his duplicity was issued to LaSorda by Holtzman.

The gist of the situation was that Tommy Dodger had an autographed baseball he gave to a friend who was a butcher. LaSorda’s lie came when he told his butcher buddy that the ball was a home run hit by Snider in a World Series game. Never figuring that LaSorda would cross him up, the elated meat man gave LaSorda a half-dozen of his best steaks. When mildly challenged by his wife as to why he lied to the guy, LaSorda’s excuse was to the effect of “It’s OK to lie if you make somebody feel good doing it.

Boy, I’d hate to be that butcher if, someday, he goes to an auction house convinced that his brand new, signed Coleman or White ball is a 1950’s era Duke Snider World Series long ball.

BRAVES GO RETRO TWICE IN TEN DAYS

After the news came of the Braves and Cubs wearing Turn Back the Clock uniforms of 1948 design at Wrigley Field June 12, it has been learned since then that the Braves will go retro again on June 21, when they play the Tampa Bay Rays. The uniforms will apparently be raffled off at the game.

THE CHEAP AND EXPENSIVE OF IT

If you want an example of two sellers with totally opposite views of what the same player’s jersey is worth, consider two jerseys of future St. Louis Cardinal Colby Rasmus offered by two different sellers on the Bay. On one hand, an auction featuring pink breast cancer awareness jerseys worn on May 18th by the Memphis Redbirds found Rasmus’ jersey being won for a bit under $350…reasonable for a special issued uniform of a high-profile prospect.

Then, there’s the Cardinals road spring training jersey (with a farmhand jersey number) of Rasmus that one seller tried to peddle twice for $2,500! Both instances ended up with no bids…and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.

HOW DO FORGERS PLY THEIR CRAFT

If you wondered how the mind of a forger works, consider this tale, from a while back, concerning a legitimate dealer whose antennae went up when he spoke with a forger he didn’t know.

The legit dealer, in this reminiscence, was Mike Nardone, a Boston area Carlton Fisk enthusiast who acquired a large quantity of late 1980s Boston Red Sox game-worn pants.

The forger, henceforth known as The Forger, is known to many veteran collectors. He hails from a rural part of the Midwest, and has used at least three aliases to identify himself.

The Forger called Nardone after seeing his SCD classified ad for the Red Sox pants. His stated claim was that he wanted to buy a quantity of pants for his local softball team. To Nardone, though, it seemed odd that The Forger wanted only Rawlings road pants, as the home white Wilsons were in better condition and made better.

When Nardone mentioned these things to The Forger, The Forger responded that “my players like the way the Rawlings pants are tagged better”.

Seeing a red flag there, Nardone held off a sale until he was able to talk to a few prominent people in that era’s game used hobby, seeking opinions on The Forger’s reputation. I was one of the people he contacted, and my concerns were echoing the three hobbyists he had already spoken with. Figuring out what The Forger would do with these pants based on the input he received, he refused to sell anything to The Forger.

Now, what was the consensus opinion regarding The Forger’s plans? For him, the Wilson home Boston pants only had a strip tag in the waistband. The road versions, by Rawlings, had a strip tag plus a flag tag, which it was figured would be removed by The Forger and added to replica Rawlings jerseys in an effort to fake a game-used shirt.

Be aware…Mike could have made the sale, enriched himself, and let the chips fall where they may. Instead, he did his homework, and refused to be a party to The Forger’s chicanery.

OBITUARY

Dwight White, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ legendary Steel Curtain defense, died Saturday. He was 58.

White had been hospitalized for back surgery, and was recently readmitted due to complications. He is the second member of the Steel Curtain to lose his life in 2008, as Ernie Holmes was killed on January 17 in a car accident.

ONE CITY, TWO TEAMS, #1 IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISIONS…CUBS-WHITE SOX 2008 WORLD SERIES!!

The “Twenty Firsts” article will be run as a special midweek extra in June. Meantime, plenty of stuff going on at the moment gives me a chance to report the more timely news here.

NBA JERSEYS AUCTIONED

The NBA is using its website (www.nba.com) to auction a number of special occasion jerseys from this past season.

Hardwood Classics gamers worn by the Lakers, Warriors and Rockets, including a #24 Kobe Bryant, are up for bids, as are a number of Knicks St. Patrick’s Day gamers. Bids are being accepted online until the evening of June 5th. All included items are registered with MeiGray, and bear their tagging.

MINOR LEAGUE PATCH

The Midwest League Kane County Cougars are sporting a uniform tribute patch in memory of the Northern Illinois University shooting tragedy several months ago. The team’s home (Geneva, Illinois) is not too far from the university’s location in nearby DeKalb.

CUBS TO HOST FIRST EVER TBTC GAME

The Chicago Cubs’ history in Turn Back the Clock participation has been minimal. Two games on the road (at Philadelphia in 1992 and at Comiskey Park in 1997) have been it. Heck, they’ve refused to take part in just as many (1991 at San Francisco and 2004 at San Diego). Finally, though, the Cubs will actually host a retro uniform event.

Mark your calendars for June 12, when the Cubs host the Atlanta Braves. Both teams will wear 1948-style uniforms for the event.

A MIX OF TAGS

A couple of recent eBay offerings may have been confusing to buyers, due to a mix of legitimate tagging and forged tagging. Both from the same seller, one was a 1972 Tigers knit allegedly worn by Al Kaline, with a fully proper tail strip tag. Unfortunately, the wrongly-located Wilson tag bore a size 40 notation, a size I have never seen associated with a Kaline gamer, as well as a wrong size font on the NOB.

That same improperly appearing NOB also was on a 1986 Phillies home Mike Schmidt, as well as a NIC tag whose embroidery font didn’t match the legitimate “86 2” strip tag in the tail, right below the legitimate Wilson Prestige Teams label. Someone (maybe not the seller) apparently upgraded the identities on these two items to milk big bucks out of them illegitimately.

DID THE RIGHT THING

Ball Park Heroes in Bedford, Indiana, is considered a top dealer of game-used jerseys in the hobby. Here’s an example why:

BPH recently received a powder blue NNOB Cubs road pinstripe knit of a #44. It would have been easy enough to accept it at face value and plead ignorance if a buyer had a problem with it down the road.

Fortunately, that’s not the way the Stigall brothers do things. Kim sent out a few emails, including one to yours truly, to spot flaws he felt the jersey might have, as the piece troubled him upon receipt. The jersey, as it happened, had a blank collar strip tag, a 1979-86 Wilson tag, and a “77 1” strip tag in the tail…this on a style that only has a chain-stitched year in a tail box tag. Further, the style described above was only used for one year…1978. In ’79, NOBs were added, and, in ’77, the pinstripes had not yet been added.

RAYS UNI ODDITY

While playing the Cardinals in St. Louis two Sundays ago, the Rays wore their BP jerseys for game action.

CAN’T GET MORE EVEN THAN THIS

After this past week’s sweep of the Dodgers at Wrigley Field, the Cubs and Dodgers have played 2,020 games against each other. The teams’ all-time record in this competition? Both are 1,010-1,010…that in a pairing of over 110 years duration!

OBITUARIES

Geremi Gonzalez, whose interrupted MLB career began in 1997 with the Cubs, died at age 33 when he was struck by lightning while on the beach in his native Venezuela.

Luc Bourdon, a defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks who just completed his rookie NHL season, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was 21.

Thomas McHale, a lineman who played for Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Miami in the NFL from 1987-95, died a week ago at age 45. Tests revealed a mix of anti-depressants and cocaine in his system as the cause.

Finally, Jack Mildren, the first Sooners QB to run their vaunted Wishbone offense, died May 21. He switched to safety in the NFL and played for the Colts (1972-73) and the Patriots (1974).

CUBS 10, ROCKIES 9!! THIS IS THE YEAR!!

The “Twenty Firsts” article will be run as a special midweek extra in June. Meantime, plenty of stuff going on at the moment gives me a chance to report the more timely news here.

NBA JERSEYS AUCTIONED

The NBA is using its website (www.nba.com) to auction a number of special occasion jerseys from this past season.

Hardwood Classics gamers worn by the Lakers, Warriors and Rockets, including a #24 Kobe Bryant, are up for bids, as are a number of Knicks St. Patrick’s Day gamers. Bids are being accepted online until the evening of June 5th. All included items are registered with MeiGray, and bear their tagging.

MINOR LEAGUE PATCH

The Midwest League Kane County Cougars are sporting a uniform tribute patch in memory of the Northern Illinois University shooting tragedy several months ago. The team’s home (Geneva, Illinois) is not too far from the university’s location in nearby DeKalb.

CUBS TO HOST FIRST EVER TBTC GAME

The Chicago Cubs’ history in Turn Back the Clock participation has been minimal. Two games on the road (at Philadelphia in 1992 and at Comiskey Park in 1997) have been it. Heck, they’ve refused to take part in just as many (1991 at San Francisco and 2004 at San Diego). Finally, though, the Cubs will actually host a retro uniform event.

Mark your calendars for June 12, when the Cubs host the Atlanta Braves. Both teams will wear 1948-style uniforms for the event.

A MIX OF TAGS

A couple of recent eBay offerings may have been confusing to buyers, due to a mix of legitimate tagging and forged tagging. Both from the same seller, one was a 1972 Tigers knit allegedly worn by Al Kaline, with a fully proper tail strip tag. Unfortunately, the wrongly-located Wilson tag bore a size 40 notation, a size I have never seen associated with a Kaline gamer, as well as a wrong size font on the NOB.

That same improperly appearing NOB also was on a 1986 Phillies home Mike Schmidt, as well as a NIC tag whose embroidery font didn’t match the legitimate “86 2” strip tag in the tail, right below the legitimate Wilson Prestige Teams label. Someone (maybe not the seller) apparently upgraded the identities on these two items to milk big bucks out of them illegitimately.

DID THE RIGHT THING

Ball Park Heroes in Bedford, Indiana, is considered a top dealer of game-used jerseys in the hobby. Here’s an example why:

BPH recently received a powder blue NNOB Cubs road pinstripe knit of a #44. It would have been easy enough to accept it at face value and plead ignorance if a buyer had a problem with it down the road.

Fortunately, that’s not the way the Stigall brothers do things. Kim sent out a few emails, including one to yours truly, to spot flaws he felt the jersey might have, as the piece troubled him upon receipt. The jersey, as it happened, had a blank collar strip tag, a 1979-86 Wilson tag, and a “77 1” strip tag in the tail…this on a style that only has a chain-stitched year in a tail box tag. Further, the style described above was only used for one year…1978. In ’79, NOBs were added, and, in ’77, the pinstripes had not yet been added.

RAYS UNI ODDITY

While playing the Cardinals in St. Louis two Sundays ago, the Rays wore their BP jerseys for game action.

CAN’T GET MORE EVEN THAN THIS

After this past week’s sweep of the Dodgers at Wrigley Field, the Cubs and Dodgers have played 2,020 games against each other. The teams’ all-time record in this competition? Both are 1,010-1,010…that in a pairing of over 110 years duration!

OBITUARIES

Geremi Gonzalez, whose interrupted MLB career began in 1997 with the Cubs, died at age 33 when he was struck by lightning while on the beach in his native Venezuela.

Luc Bourdon, a defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks who just completed his rookie NHL season, was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was 21.

Thomas McHale, a lineman who played for Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Miami in the NFL from 1987-95, died a week ago at age 45. Tests revealed a mix of anti-depressants and cocaine in his system as the cause.

Finally, Jack Mildren, the first Sooners QB to run their vaunted Wishbone offense, died May 21. He switched to safety in the NFL and played for the Colts (1972-73) and the Patriots (1974).

CUBS 10, ROCKIES 9!! THIS IS THE YEAR!!

TWO STYLES…TWO YEARS…NO MLB WEAR

Every once in a while, a MLB team will create a style for their players to wear, but, for unknown reasons, that team didn’t get to wear them…two examples to follow.

1980 Expos road: What the Expos wore on the road in 1980 was a powder blue version of their home white tops. Both were by Rawlings, both had the red and blue racing stripes. What was made for Les Expos, but not worn by them (on the Major League Level, anyway) were sets of 1980 powder blues made by Wilson and identical in design to their 1978-79 road unies. The jerseys did get used, but by Expos farm teams…if you happen upon one, the numbers will show wear, while the NOB won’t, as it was plated over.

1994 Cubs alternate: Russell made the 1994 home and road unies the Cubs wore, as well as a blue mesh alternate that never got pulled out for a game. On these, the Cubs detailed strip tag was in the tail, not the collar. And, for those of you protesting “Wait, Dave, the Cubs wore blue mesh jerseys on May 2 against the Reds!), those were the blue Majestic BP jerseys with typical block numbers and no NOB. I was there, and won’t forget the night easily, as I caught a home run on the fly (Bret Boone) and was mentioned by name by collector/ex-Sports Center anchor Keith Olbermann when he played the highlight that night.

THE 800 L. GORILLA THAT WON’T GO AWAY

Despite repeated mentions of 1989-90 Score Board tagged retail jerseys both here and on Game Used Forum, as well as hobby paper articles, there are still plenty of clueless collectors (and at least on clueless authenticator) believing these items to be game-used, despite telltale details on the tags and other features being shared in print of jerseys that are not gamers.

The latest example I came across doesn’t come with an erroneous hobby LOA, but a claim from a clubhouse guy. A 1989 Rangers Score Board Nolan Ryan jersey was being auctioned as game-used based on verbal (not written) provenance by a Florida Marlins clubbie. Seems odd that a clubbie for a team that didn’t begin play until 1993 would have it’s equipment guy get a game-worn 1989 jersey from a team whose only possible face-to-face contact would be in spring training, as there was no interleague play yet?
My guess is that the clubbie was given or purchased a Score Board Ryan, or (possibly) he was employed by an American League team in 1989, able to meet Ryan for this gift. If that were the case, I’d want to play up his previous employment to make the story sound a little better. Of course, said story is unreliable in the first place, as there’s no way it’s a jersey Ryan wore. Telltale signs: 1990-91 style Rawlings tag in 1989 set 1 jersey, and 34 1 1989 strip tag (Texas did not use 4-digit years in their 1989 strip tagging).

SPECIAL DAY FOR BIGGIO

On August 17 at Minute Maid Park, the Houston Astros will have a ceremony to retire the #7 jersey of career Astro and future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. His number will join nine others retired by the “Stros, including longtime teammate and buddy Jeff Bagwell, whose #5 was retired last season.

TWO STYLES…TWO YEARS…NO MLB WEAR

Every once in a while, a MLB team will create a style for their players to wear, but, for unknown reasons, that team didn’t get to wear them…two examples to follow.

1980 Expos road: What the Expos wore on the road in 1980 was a powder blue version of their home white tops. Both were by Rawlings, both had the red and blue racing stripes. What was made for Les Expos, but not worn by them (on the Major League Level, anyway) were sets of 1980 powder blues made by Wilson and identical in design to their 1978-79 road unies. The jerseys did get used, but by Expos farm teams…if you happen upon one, the numbers will show wear, while the NOB won’t, as it was plated over.

1994 Cubs alternate: Russell made the 1994 home and road unies the Cubs wore, as well as a blue mesh alternate that never got pulled out for a game. On these, the Cubs detailed strip tag was in the tail, not the collar. And, for those of you protesting “Wait, Dave, the Cubs wore blue mesh jerseys on May 2 against the Reds!), those were the blue Majestic BP jerseys with typical block numbers and no NOB. I was there, and won’t forget the night easily, as I caught a home run on the fly (Bret Boone) and was mentioned by name by collector/ex-Sports Center anchor Keith Olbermann when he played the highlight that night.

THE 800 L. GORILLA THAT WON’T GO AWAY

Despite repeated mentions of 1989-90 Score Board tagged retail jerseys both here and on Game Used Forum, as well as hobby paper articles, there are still plenty of clueless collectors (and at least on clueless authenticator) believing these items to be game-used, despite telltale details on the tags and other features being shared in print of jerseys that are not gamers.

The latest example I came across doesn’t come with an erroneous hobby LOA, but a claim from a clubhouse guy. A 1989 Rangers Score Board Nolan Ryan jersey was being auctioned as game-used based on verbal (not written) provenance by a Florida Marlins clubbie. Seems odd that a clubbie for a team that didn’t begin play until 1993 would have it’s equipment guy get a game-worn 1989 jersey from a team whose only possible face-to-face contact would be in spring training, as there was no interleague play yet?
My guess is that the clubbie was given or purchased a Score Board Ryan, or (possibly) he was employed by an American League team in 1989, able to meet Ryan for this gift. If that were the case, I’d want to play up his previous employment to make the story sound a little better. Of course, said story is unreliable in the first place, as there’s no way it’s a jersey Ryan wore. Telltale signs: 1990-91 style Rawlings tag in 1989 set 1 jersey, and 34 1 1989 strip tag (Texas did not use 4-digit years in their 1989 strip tagging).

SPECIAL DAY FOR BIGGIO

On August 17 at Minute Maid Park, the Houston Astros will have a ceremony to retire the #7 jersey of career Astro and future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. His number will join nine others retired by the “Stros, including longtime teammate and buddy Jeff Bagwell, whose #5 was retired last season.

MLB PATCH VARIATIONS

The lead-off segment of the Shirt will cover MLB patch variations. This is pertaining to patches used on MLB uniforms, not game-issue visavis souvenir versions.

1984 White Sox…the team wore the 6/46 patch as a memoriam for the 1983-84 offseason deaths of coaches Charlie Lau (6) and Loren Babe (46). Worn on the left sleeve, the original version featured embroidered numbers and a raise black rim around the patch. A subsequent MLB version dropped the black rim, and featured the numbers in a heat-transferred set of numbers.

1994 125th Anniversary: In addition to the standard version, two others exist: a french-language design for the home Montreal Expos jerseys, and a Cincinnati Reds version (home and road) with a team photo of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings.

1997 Jackie Robinson Breaking Barriers patch: The 50th Anniversary logo for Jackie’s first MLB game had three versions aside from the basic design: a type with the Dodgers team name included for Robinson’s old team; a French language version for 1997 Expos home knits; and a teal-and-black version for the teal-and-black uniforms of the Florida Marlins. Oddly, a dealer had recently placed on eBay a Florida road shirt of coach Tony Taylor with the wrong design on it.

2001 American League Centennial patch: While the Junior Circuit now has 14 teams, they originated with 8, four of whom have different city identities than back in 2001 (Yankees, Orioles, Twins and Athletics). Those four clubs, plus all the expansion squads from 1961 on, wore the standard version of the patch. The four teams who were original members and never relocated (White Sox, Tigers, Red Sox and Indians) all wore a version with an added inscription, “Charter Member”.

DEJESUS CAP POSTSCRIPT

The follow-up to my bulletin board post on getting a cap from Cubs coach Ivan DeJesus that was promised deals with the cap band tagging. The New Era and size tags are now black and white, as opposed to the blue/white combo used mid-2005 to 2007. The exemplar is from his road Cubs cap.

ROCKFORD EMULATES CHICAGO

A late patch note for hockey: The WWW memoriam patch for William W. Wirtz worn by the NHL Chicago Blackhawks also was worn on the sweaters of their minor league affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs.

NICE…BUT NOT FOR A GAME WORN COLLECTOR

Just saw an eBay item (with alleged team employee provenance) that was an embarrassment to the intelligence of even a beginning game-used collector. The item was an alleged late 1970’s Yankees home jersey of Reggie Jackson…with no collar strip tagging, and a Wilson tag in the collar citing the jersey as a size 38! (Maybe Reggie wore it in Junior High). Useless, of course, to a game-used collector…but not totally worthless. While it’s obviously too flawed to be a Yankees gamer, it would fit the bill nicely if one were looking for a quality-made jersey for Reggie to sign at a card show appearance. Something worth considering if you get stung with a bad jersey, and the sting is only a mosquito bite, and not a scorpion attack.

WINNER AT GUERNSEY’S

Although the time/date hasn’t been decided on yet, Guernsey’s Auction House has a prime piece of Red Sox memorabilia to soon be auctioned. Sports Collectors Daily reported that the 1912 World Series trophy issued to Red Sox player-manager Jake Stahl has been consigned by his family for auction. Rare and historically significant, this one bears watching.

JIM JOINS JUNIOR CIRCUIT

This past May 16th, in 1965, saw a unique 2-for-1 on firsts for a Baseball Hall of Famer. Jim Palmer won his first MLB game (7-5 over the Yankees) and hit his first MLB home run (off Jim Bouton).

OBITUARY

Curtis Whitley, a center for three different NFL teams over 6 years in the 1990s, died at age 39. An autopsy was being conducted, as Whitley had a history of substance abuse problems.

GEOVANNY SOTO FOR NL ROY!

MLB PATCH VARIATIONS

The lead-off segment of the Shirt will cover MLB patch variations. This is pertaining to patches used on MLB uniforms, not game-issue visavis souvenir versions.

1984 White Sox…the team wore the 6/46 patch as a memoriam for the 1983-84 offseason deaths of coaches Charlie Lau (6) and Loren Babe (46). Worn on the left sleeve, the original version featured embroidered numbers and a raise black rim around the patch. A subsequent MLB version dropped the black rim, and featured the numbers in a heat-transferred set of numbers.

1994 125th Anniversary: In addition to the standard version, two others exist: a french-language design for the home Montreal Expos jerseys, and a Cincinnati Reds version (home and road) with a team photo of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings.

1997 Jackie Robinson Breaking Barriers patch: The 50th Anniversary logo for Jackie’s first MLB game had three versions aside from the basic design: a type with the Dodgers team name included for Robinson’s old team; a French language version for 1997 Expos home knits; and a teal-and-black version for the teal-and-black uniforms of the Florida Marlins. Oddly, a dealer had recently placed on eBay a Florida road shirt of coach Tony Taylor with the wrong design on it.

2001 American League Centennial patch: While the Junior Circuit now has 14 teams, they originated with 8, four of whom have different city identities than back in 2001 (Yankees, Orioles, Twins and Athletics). Those four clubs, plus all the expansion squads from 1961 on, wore the standard version of the patch. The four teams who were original members and never relocated (White Sox, Tigers, Red Sox and Indians) all wore a version with an added inscription, “Charter Member”.

DEJESUS CAP POSTSCRIPT

The follow-up to my bulletin board post on getting a cap from Cubs coach Ivan DeJesus that was promised deals with the cap band tagging. The New Era and size tags are now black and white, as opposed to the blue/white combo used mid-2005 to 2007. The exemplar is from his road Cubs cap.

ROCKFORD EMULATES CHICAGO

A late patch note for hockey: The WWW memoriam patch for William W. Wirtz worn by the NHL Chicago Blackhawks also was worn on the sweaters of their minor league affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs.

NICE…BUT NOT FOR A GAME WORN COLLECTOR

Just saw an eBay item (with alleged team employee provenance) that was an embarrassment to the intelligence of even a beginning game-used collector. The item was an alleged late 1970’s Yankees home jersey of Reggie Jackson…with no collar strip tagging, and a Wilson tag in the collar citing the jersey as a size 38! (Maybe Reggie wore it in Junior High). Useless, of course, to a game-used collector…but not totally worthless. While it’s obviously too flawed to be a Yankees gamer, it would fit the bill nicely if one were looking for a quality-made jersey for Reggie to sign at a card show appearance. Something worth considering if you get stung with a bad jersey, and the sting is only a mosquito bite, and not a scorpion attack.

WINNER AT GUERNSEY’S

Although the time/date hasn’t been decided on yet, Guernsey’s Auction House has a prime piece of Red Sox memorabilia to soon be auctioned. Sports Collectors Daily reported that the 1912 World Series trophy issued to Red Sox player-manager Jake Stahl has been consigned by his family for auction. Rare and historically significant, this one bears watching.

JIM JOINS JUNIOR CIRCUIT

This past May 16th, in 1965, saw a unique 2-for-1 on firsts for a Baseball Hall of Famer. Jim Palmer won his first MLB game (7-5 over the Yankees) and hit his first MLB home run (off Jim Bouton).

OBITUARY

Curtis Whitley, a center for three different NFL teams over 6 years in the 1990s, died at age 39. An autopsy was being conducted, as Whitley had a history of substance abuse problems.

GEOVANNY SOTO FOR NL ROY!

MORE EXAMPLES OF WISHFUL THINKING

We start with three more examples from recent years of wishful thinking and/or sloppy research by sellers of game-used items, starring a jersey and two bats.

For a number of years, a Cardinals flannel jersey with a 1967 flag tag (by Rawlings) and a number 9 on the back has been identified by sellers as a “Roger Maris spring training jersey”, usually justified by the presence of the year/set flag tag and the belief that “Minor league teams don’t use year tags”. There’s no truth to that previous mythical statement, and it fails to take into account the lack of a NIT tag, no name on back, and no space to ever have allowed for a NOB. You can’t make a Maris out of a morphed minor league piece, though that didn’t stop some people from trying.

Then, consider a 1986-89 LS C243 bat with the block letter name THOMAS on the barrel. Creative and/or clueless sellers have presented these as Frank Thomas minor league bats, explaining that the hand-inscribed 14 on the knob was Thomas’ minor league uniform number. Unfortunately (for them), Thomas never wore 14 in the minors, but another Thomas…Andres…did wear 14 on the MLB level with the Atlanta Braves in that time frame, and he ordered C243 models with a block lettered THOMAS on the barrel.

Finally, there’s the 1976 H&B BiCentennial lumber of Von Joshua, who spent part of the ’76 season with Milwaukee. A number 19 written on the knob have led some of the clueless to offer them as “Von Joshua bats used by Robin Yount”. What their inability/disinterest in researching prevents them from knowing is that (a) Joshua spent a couple of months in 1976 with San Francisco before joining the Brew Crew and (b) he wore 19 as a Giant. Oh, so easy and tempting to ignore when more dollars are available by propagating fiction instead.

MLB RETRO FUN BEGINS

The first MLB Turn Back the Clock Day I noticed was May 4th, as Oakland hosted Texas in a 1968-themed game. The Rangers road unies modeled the ’68 Washington Senators gray unies, while Oakland donned repros of their 1968 one year style vests with the fancy Oakland fronts, and even donning yellow batting helmets patterned after those the A’s wore in their first year by the Bay.

WHITE SOX EQUIPMENT SALE SOON

U.S. Cellular Field will host several fan-related activities this coming Saturday while Ozzie and his charges play in San Francisco. Among those activities will be the annual ballpark garage sale of game-used equipment. Check www.whitesox.com for details, or call the team at 312-674-1000. The sale was originally an off-season staple, but the close proximity on the calendar to the Soxfest sale and off-season repairs at the usual sale time a few years ago has caused the popular event to be moved to May or June the last few years.

CORRECTION FALLS ON DEAF EARS

When a well-meaning hobbyist e-mails an eBay seller to inform them of a mistake on an item they’re listing, many things can happen. The seller can thank you and add an amendment to his/her listing. If it’s an authenticity issue, they can pull the item. They can ignore you, or send you a nasty email, as one northeastern-based seller recently did to me regarding his Score Board Bo Jackson Royals jersey that he was selling as game-used. Or, in rare occasions, they can do more than one of these.

Case in point: a seller offering one of the many Rawlings minor league Orioles #8 BP-style jerseys that have been erroneously OK’d as game-worn Cal Ripken Jr. gamers by a non-MEARS authenticator. The seller, after my email alert about this, sent back a nice e-mail, acknowledging his awareness of both myself and MEARS, and asking me if I was connected to MEARS. When I e-mailed back and affirmed my employment with MEARS, I figured that he respected the company and myself enough to pull the item, or at least re-list it as what it was.

Boy, was I wrong. To the max.

The item’s initial listing ran it’s remaining course, with no winner. It has been re-listed twice, and has still drawn no action…maybe because publicity of such misauthenticated jerseys both here and on Game Used Forum have raised awareness, or maybe because the seller offers no refunds and does not consider a contrary opinion by another third-party authenticator to warrant making an exception. Either way, so far, so good…no collector has paid out money for this mislabeled piece.

OBITUARY

Cal Howe, a pitcher in one game for the 1952 Chicago Cubs, died May 5 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at age 83. Howe pitched the last 2 innings of a September 26 game against the Cardinals, whiffing 2, walking 1, and allowing no hits as he finished the game. Baseball Almanac recounts that his favorite big league moment was inducing Stan Musial to ground out in that two-inning stint. He wore #53 in his September fling in The Show.

DON’T FRET GAVIN FLOYD…THE THIRD TIME”S THE CHARM!

MORE EXAMPLES OF WISHFUL THINKING

We start with three more examples from recent years of wishful thinking and/or sloppy research by sellers of game-used items, starring a jersey and two bats.

For a number of years, a Cardinals flannel jersey with a 1967 flag tag (by Rawlings) and a number 9 on the back has been identified by sellers as a “Roger Maris spring training jersey”, usually justified by the presence of the year/set flag tag and the belief that “Minor league teams don’t use year tags”. There’s no truth to that previous mythical statement, and it fails to take into account the lack of a NIT tag, no name on back, and no space to ever have allowed for a NOB. You can’t make a Maris out of a morphed minor league piece, though that didn’t stop some people from trying.

Then, consider a 1986-89 LS C243 bat with the block letter name THOMAS on the barrel. Creative and/or clueless sellers have presented these as Frank Thomas minor league bats, explaining that the hand-inscribed 14 on the knob was Thomas’ minor league uniform number. Unfortunately (for them), Thomas never wore 14 in the minors, but another Thomas…Andres…did wear 14 on the MLB level with the Atlanta Braves in that time frame, and he ordered C243 models with a block lettered THOMAS on the barrel.

Finally, there’s the 1976 H&B BiCentennial lumber of Von Joshua, who spent part of the ’76 season with Milwaukee. A number 19 written on the knob have led some of the clueless to offer them as “Von Joshua bats used by Robin Yount”. What their inability/disinterest in researching prevents them from knowing is that (a) Joshua spent a couple of months in 1976 with San Francisco before joining the Brew Crew and (b) he wore 19 as a Giant. Oh, so easy and tempting to ignore when more dollars are available by propagating fiction instead.

MLB RETRO FUN BEGINS

The first MLB Turn Back the Clock Day I noticed was May 4th, as Oakland hosted Texas in a 1968-themed game. The Rangers road unies modeled the ’68 Washington Senators gray unies, while Oakland donned repros of their 1968 one year style vests with the fancy Oakland fronts, and even donning yellow batting helmets patterned after those the A’s wore in their first year by the Bay.

WHITE SOX EQUIPMENT SALE SOON

U.S. Cellular Field will host several fan-related activities this coming Saturday while Ozzie and his charges play in San Francisco. Among those activities will be the annual ballpark garage sale of game-used equipment. Check www.whitesox.com for details, or call the team at 312-674-1000. The sale was originally an off-season staple, but the close proximity on the calendar to the Soxfest sale and off-season repairs at the usual sale time a few years ago has caused the popular event to be moved to May or June the last few years.

CORRECTION FALLS ON DEAF EARS

When a well-meaning hobbyist e-mails an eBay seller to inform them of a mistake on an item they’re listing, many things can happen. The seller can thank you and add an amendment to his/her listing. If it’s an authenticity issue, they can pull the item. They can ignore you, or send you a nasty email, as one northeastern-based seller recently did to me regarding his Score Board Bo Jackson Royals jersey that he was selling as game-used. Or, in rare occasions, they can do more than one of these.

Case in point: a seller offering one of the many Rawlings minor league Orioles #8 BP-style jerseys that have been erroneously OK’d as game-worn Cal Ripken Jr. gamers by a non-MEARS authenticator. The seller, after my email alert about this, sent back a nice e-mail, acknowledging his awareness of both myself and MEARS, and asking me if I was connected to MEARS. When I e-mailed back and affirmed my employment with MEARS, I figured that he respected the company and myself enough to pull the item, or at least re-list it as what it was.

Boy, was I wrong. To the max.

The item’s initial listing ran it’s remaining course, with no winner. It has been re-listed twice, and has still drawn no action…maybe because publicity of such misauthenticated jerseys both here and on Game Used Forum have raised awareness, or maybe because the seller offers no refunds and does not consider a contrary opinion by another third-party authenticator to warrant making an exception. Either way, so far, so good…no collector has paid out money for this mislabeled piece.

OBITUARY

Cal Howe, a pitcher in one game for the 1952 Chicago Cubs, died May 5 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at age 83. Howe pitched the last 2 innings of a September 26 game against the Cardinals, whiffing 2, walking 1, and allowing no hits as he finished the game. Baseball Almanac recounts that his favorite big league moment was inducing Stan Musial to ground out in that two-inning stint. He wore #53 in his September fling in The Show.

DON’T FRET GAVIN FLOYD…THE THIRD TIME”S THE CHARM!

SLOPPY ID WORK

One thing I always shake my head at is wishful thinking identifications for game worn jerseys. MEARS readers recently were made aware of the Braves jacket that was pegged as a Hank Aaron through incomplete research, when several players wore the number 5 in the early/mid-1950s.

Such examples of assigning items to the biggest name possible, either through malfeasance or sloppy research, are nothing new, however. For many years, 1971 White Sox flannels of cup-of-coffee pitcher Dick Moloney were wrongly identified by sellers as Jim Maloney, the longtime Reds mound ace. Problem is, Maloney the Red never donned a White Sox uniform, as his only active season outside of Cincinnati was 1971, when he played for the Angels.

Then, there is a dealer LOA from a few years back in which a 1989 Brewers road knit of OF Edgar Diaz was certified by the seller as a Bo Diaz shirt. Bo never played for the Brewers, for starters, and a size 42 Tapered jersey wouldn’t have been likely to fit for the game action of a player who was 5-11 and 190 (Bo), although the 6-foot, 155 lb. frame of Edgar Diaz would have been about right. At least, on this one, the recent eBay listing for the Milwaukee gamer saw the current owner take more time to properly identify the jersey than the dealer who sold it. Willful fraud isn’t the only stumbling block in the hobby…it can also be sellers and authenticators who can’t be bothered to do proper research, on low and high value items.

MORE ON THE 10,000 CUBS FLAG

Updating the mention of the Cubs 10,000 win flag, flown on the Wrigley scoreboard for several days and since taken down and autographed by the entire 2008 Cubs team: this 1 of 1 piece of stadium memorabilia is up for auction now on www.cubs.com. The current bid, as i write this, is $10,100, and bidding continues until 9:59 PM CST on May 11.

PISTONS MEMORIAM TRIBUTE

Beginning in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons, for the duration of their playoff run, are wearing a black band on their left shoulder strap for former Pistons coach and Division 1A college pioneer Will Robinson.

MISC. UNIFORM NEWS

The West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League wore retro jerseys based on the 1968 jerseys of their parent club (Detroit0 during the May 2nd game in which they hosted the Swing of the Quad Cities. The Swing was supposed to wear 1968-style Cardinals jerseys (they are a St. Louis affiliate), but a communications snafu between Swing officials and the parent club caused that plan to fall through. The eventual disposition of the Whitecaps’ unies has not been announced yet, but, when it is, it will be announced on the team’s website, www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Also interesting to note: while both the NBA and the WNBA are contracted to Adidas for uniforms, the men don’t wear a supplier logo on their game jerseys, but the women do. NBA garb with an Adidas logo is limited to warmups, pregame apparel, and practice garb.

MAY 2ND HISTORY

The second of May had a few interesting moments over MLB history. The date in 1917 featured the nine-inning double no-hitter between Fred Toney of the Reds and Hippo Vaughn of the Cubs. The Reds finally got two hits and a run in the 10th inning. Bonus points to you if you can name which Red got the GWRBI. (Answer at column’s end)

Also, 5/2/1994 was the night the Cubs wore their 1994 BP jerseys in their game hosting Cincinnati, in an effort to end a 10-game home losing streak to begin the season. The Cubs still lost in the BP blue, 9-0, although the memory most prominent in my mind was catching (on the fly) Bret Boone’s home run off Willie Banks, and the subsequent by-name mention on ESPN SportsCenter by Keith Olbermann as the homer highlight and my catch were replayed.

THINK PINK

Mother’s Day (May 11th) will again find hundreds of players swinging pink bats in the annual tribute to fighting breast cancer. After that day’s games, the bats will be auctioned off on www.mlb.com.

OBITUARIES

Longtime MLB executive Buzzie Bavasi passed away on Wednesday as a result of natural causes following an illness. He was 93. I’m curious if the Dodgers, with whom he was employed for a substantial time, will add any sort of memoriam patch to their jerseys in his honor?

Also, former Patriots punter Mike Patrick died of unannounced causes a week ago today at age 55 in his hometown of Biloxi, MS. No word was given as to the cause of death for the four-year (1975-78) Pats punter

ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION

Jim Thorpe, the Native American who later became a star in the early years of the NFL.

SLOPPY ID WORK

One thing I always shake my head at is wishful thinking identifications for game worn jerseys. MEARS readers recently were made aware of the Braves jacket that was pegged as a Hank Aaron through incomplete research, when several players wore the number 5 in the early/mid-1950s.

Such examples of assigning items to the biggest name possible, either through malfeasance or sloppy research, are nothing new, however. For many years, 1971 White Sox flannels of cup-of-coffee pitcher Dick Moloney were wrongly identified by sellers as Jim Maloney, the longtime Reds mound ace. Problem is, Maloney the Red never donned a White Sox uniform, as his only active season outside of Cincinnati was 1971, when he played for the Angels.

Then, there is a dealer LOA from a few years back in which a 1989 Brewers road knit of OF Edgar Diaz was certified by the seller as a Bo Diaz shirt. Bo never played for the Brewers, for starters, and a size 42 Tapered jersey wouldn’t have been likely to fit for the game action of a player who was 5-11 and 190 (Bo), although the 6-foot, 155 lb. frame of Edgar Diaz would have been about right. At least, on this one, the recent eBay listing for the Milwaukee gamer saw the current owner take more time to properly identify the jersey than the dealer who sold it. Willful fraud isn’t the only stumbling block in the hobby…it can also be sellers and authenticators who can’t be bothered to do proper research, on low and high value items.

MORE ON THE 10,000 CUBS FLAG

Updating the mention of the Cubs 10,000 win flag, flown on the Wrigley scoreboard for several days and since taken down and autographed by the entire 2008 Cubs team: this 1 of 1 piece of stadium memorabilia is up for auction now on www.cubs.com. The current bid, as i write this, is $10,100, and bidding continues until 9:59 PM CST on May 11.

PISTONS MEMORIAM TRIBUTE

Beginning in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons, for the duration of their playoff run, are wearing a black band on their left shoulder strap for former Pistons coach and Division 1A college pioneer Will Robinson.

MISC. UNIFORM NEWS

The West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League wore retro jerseys based on the 1968 jerseys of their parent club (Detroit0 during the May 2nd game in which they hosted the Swing of the Quad Cities. The Swing was supposed to wear 1968-style Cardinals jerseys (they are a St. Louis affiliate), but a communications snafu between Swing officials and the parent club caused that plan to fall through. The eventual disposition of the Whitecaps’ unies has not been announced yet, but, when it is, it will be announced on the team’s website, www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Also interesting to note: while both the NBA and the WNBA are contracted to Adidas for uniforms, the men don’t wear a supplier logo on their game jerseys, but the women do. NBA garb with an Adidas logo is limited to warmups, pregame apparel, and practice garb.

MAY 2ND HISTORY

The second of May had a few interesting moments over MLB history. The date in 1917 featured the nine-inning double no-hitter between Fred Toney of the Reds and Hippo Vaughn of the Cubs. The Reds finally got two hits and a run in the 10th inning. Bonus points to you if you can name which Red got the GWRBI. (Answer at column’s end)

Also, 5/2/1994 was the night the Cubs wore their 1994 BP jerseys in their game hosting Cincinnati, in an effort to end a 10-game home losing streak to begin the season. The Cubs still lost in the BP blue, 9-0, although the memory most prominent in my mind was catching (on the fly) Bret Boone’s home run off Willie Banks, and the subsequent by-name mention on ESPN SportsCenter by Keith Olbermann as the homer highlight and my catch were replayed.

THINK PINK

Mother’s Day (May 11th) will again find hundreds of players swinging pink bats in the annual tribute to fighting breast cancer. After that day’s games, the bats will be auctioned off on www.mlb.com.

OBITUARIES

Longtime MLB executive Buzzie Bavasi passed away on Wednesday as a result of natural causes following an illness. He was 93. I’m curious if the Dodgers, with whom he was employed for a substantial time, will add any sort of memoriam patch to their jerseys in his honor?

Also, former Patriots punter Mike Patrick died of unannounced causes a week ago today at age 55 in his hometown of Biloxi, MS. No word was given as to the cause of death for the four-year (1975-78) Pats punter

ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION

Jim Thorpe, the Native American who later became a star in the early years of the NFL.

BE PATIENT…SAVE BUCKS

New styles of jerseys entering the marketplace often results in collectors drastically overpaying for these items shortly after release. It’s sort of like the 1950’s mentality of “be the first kid on your block with…”, only it’s 50 years later, and it’s more like “be the first collector in your area…”

Three examples of once-expensive items that are now much less costly will be detailed here:

Braves Tomahawk Knits:

When the style appeared in 1987, collectors were drooling over this modern version of the old Boston/Milwaukee Braves Tomahawk flannels. The first large group appeared on the market in 1988, and the $200-$250 gamers were snapped up almost immediately and inflated to as much as $400 on the secondary market. One would have thought that was it for the style’s availability.

Of course, the style, now in it’s 22nd year, is all over the place, with pieces not certified by MLB or MEARS sometimes going for under $100…no doubt a few collectors had some financial losses.

Current Chicago White Sox:

In 1991, the official introduction of this style (although preview unies were worn at the very end of 1990) was met with much fanfare. The team store that existed at the time sold gamers of the home white, road grey, and black alternate designs originally for $200 apiece. Within a few months, however, the shop, wrongly convinced that a local collector was buying jerseys and reselling them at immense markups caused the store to mark all jerseys up to $500, and, until the guy threatened legal action, saw the shop employees bad-mouthing the wrongly accused “markup maven” to anyone asking about the dramatic price increase.

Of course, the team now has two sales per year (the next of which is at the Cell on May 17th), and commons straight from the source usually are in the $100 range. Makes it kinda rough for the collector-turned-authenticator (not me) who had to have one so badly that he willingly paid the team shop’s inflated price for an alternate Lance Johnson.

First year Colorado Rockies:

The home and road 1993 Rockies gamers were bought in bulk by Ball Park Heroes, with their prices ($250-$300) increasing to $400 in the secondary market. The alternate black jerseys, reportedly worn in only 5 games before manager Don Baylor had them retired, were fetching close to $1000 initially, as the story was that only two sets of black jerseys were made, and the owner kept one full set, with the ones that entered the hobby doing so through other channels.

These days, Rockies jerseys are so readily available that many sell for $100 or less, even with team LOAs, while the 1993’s being offered periodically transact for half or less than the 1993-94 levels. Another example of impatient collectors overpaying.

With new styles in all sports appearing every year, collectors would be wise to not buy one of the first few advertised, as, in nearly all cases, the prices, given time, will come down.

BACK TO BACK MILESTONES IN CHICAGO BASEBALL

This past Wednesday and Thursday found newly made history on the North Side of The City That Works, and a major first from over 100 years ago on the South Side

On the 23rd, the Cubs, by defeating the Rockies 6-5 in 10 innings, became the second MLB team (after the Giants) to win 10,000 games in their history. And, despite the many losing seasons over the last 60 years, the Cubs are the only MLB team to never have an all-time record under .500.

The Cubs, starting on April 24th and continuing til the 28th, will be flying a 10,000 wins flag from the center field scoreboard. Once it’s taken down, the 2008 Cubs team will autograph it, and the flag will be auctioned on April 30 on www.cubs.com, with proceeds going to Cubs Care, the team charity

Meanwhile, on April 24, 1901, the White Sox, known then as the White Stockings, played and won the first ever American League game, edging Cleveland 3-2. Four games involving all eight A.L. clubs were scheduled, but the Chisox-Cleveland clash was the only one to not get rained out.

ONE AUCTION + ONE ITEM = TWO ERRORS

It’s unusual to see a genuine game-used item misidentified in both year and team by both the auction house and its hired authenticator (not MEARS in this instance), but it’s happened.

A mid-level auction house advertises a “2005-06 Washington Nationals” Turn Back the Clock uniform with no player ID. Sad to say, the auction house and its “expert” erred on several accounts. To wit:

The Nationals have never worn TBTC uniforms. The outfit was a 2002 Texas Rangers road TBTC, patterned after a 1962 expansion Washington Senators flannel (the Rangers were originally the 1961 expansion Senators til their move to the Metroplex for the 1972 season).

Also, the uniform is from 2002, one of the three-year span that Rawlings (the manufacturer) at the beginning of the century that they were an official MLB uniform supplier, and as such could use their sleeve logo. They did not have such status in 2005-06, so the logo would not be present were it from then

Finally, a simple check of www.baseball-almanac.com shows that #39 in 2002 was pitcher Jay Powell…no great challenge to find this information.

This information was forwarded to the auction house a week ago, and, as of this writing, has not been corrected. Apparently, the auction house and their hired authenticator aren’t making accuracy in advertising a priority.

OBITUARY

Darrell Garretson, 31-year NBA referee and father of current NBA ref Pat Garretson, died earlier this week at age 76 after a downturn in health following surgery and subsequent illnesses.

CUBS AND WHITE SOX STILL IN FIRST…EXCELLENT!

BE PATIENT…SAVE BUCKS

New styles of jerseys entering the marketplace often results in collectors drastically overpaying for these items shortly after release. It’s sort of like the 1950’s mentality of “be the first kid on your block with…”, only it’s 50 years later, and it’s more like “be the first collector in your area…”

Three examples of once-expensive items that are now much less costly will be detailed here:

Braves Tomahawk Knits:

When the style appeared in 1987, collectors were drooling over this modern version of the old Boston/Milwaukee Braves Tomahawk flannels. The first large group appeared on the market in 1988, and the $200-$250 gamers were snapped up almost immediately and inflated to as much as $400 on the secondary market. One would have thought that was it for the style’s availability.

Of course, the style, now in it’s 22nd year, is all over the place, with pieces not certified by MLB or MEARS sometimes going for under $100…no doubt a few collectors had some financial losses.

Current Chicago White Sox:

In 1991, the official introduction of this style (although preview unies were worn at the very end of 1990) was met with much fanfare. The team store that existed at the time sold gamers of the home white, road grey, and black alternate designs originally for $200 apiece. Within a few months, however, the shop, wrongly convinced that a local collector was buying jerseys and reselling them at immense markups caused the store to mark all jerseys up to $500, and, until the guy threatened legal action, saw the shop employees bad-mouthing the wrongly accused “markup maven” to anyone asking about the dramatic price increase.

Of course, the team now has two sales per year (the next of which is at the Cell on May 17th), and commons straight from the source usually are in the $100 range. Makes it kinda rough for the collector-turned-authenticator (not me) who had to have one so badly that he willingly paid the team shop’s inflated price for an alternate Lance Johnson.

First year Colorado Rockies:

The home and road 1993 Rockies gamers were bought in bulk by Ball Park Heroes, with their prices ($250-$300) increasing to $400 in the secondary market. The alternate black jerseys, reportedly worn in only 5 games before manager Don Baylor had them retired, were fetching close to $1000 initially, as the story was that only two sets of black jerseys were made, and the owner kept one full set, with the ones that entered the hobby doing so through other channels.

These days, Rockies jerseys are so readily available that many sell for $100 or less, even with team LOAs, while the 1993’s being offered periodically transact for half or less than the 1993-94 levels. Another example of impatient collectors overpaying.

With new styles in all sports appearing every year, collectors would be wise to not buy one of the first few advertised, as, in nearly all cases, the prices, given time, will come down.

BACK TO BACK MILESTONES IN CHICAGO BASEBALL

This past Wednesday and Thursday found newly made history on the North Side of The City That Works, and a major first from over 100 years ago on the South Side

On the 23rd, the Cubs, by defeating the Rockies 6-5 in 10 innings, became the second MLB team (after the Giants) to win 10,000 games in their history. And, despite the many losing seasons over the last 60 years, the Cubs are the only MLB team to never have an all-time record under .500.

The Cubs, starting on April 24th and continuing til the 28th, will be flying a 10,000 wins flag from the center field scoreboard. Once it’s taken down, the 2008 Cubs team will autograph it, and the flag will be auctioned on April 30 on www.cubs.com, with proceeds going to Cubs Care, the team charity

Meanwhile, on April 24, 1901, the White Sox, known then as the White Stockings, played and won the first ever American League game, edging Cleveland 3-2. Four games involving all eight A.L. clubs were scheduled, but the Chisox-Cleveland clash was the only one to not get rained out.

ONE AUCTION + ONE ITEM = TWO ERRORS

It’s unusual to see a genuine game-used item misidentified in both year and team by both the auction house and its hired authenticator (not MEARS in this instance), but it’s happened.

A mid-level auction house advertises a “2005-06 Washington Nationals” Turn Back the Clock uniform with no player ID. Sad to say, the auction house and its “expert” erred on several accounts. To wit:

The Nationals have never worn TBTC uniforms. The outfit was a 2002 Texas Rangers road TBTC, patterned after a 1962 expansion Washington Senators flannel (the Rangers were originally the 1961 expansion Senators til their move to the Metroplex for the 1972 season).

Also, the uniform is from 2002, one of the three-year span that Rawlings (the manufacturer) at the beginning of the century that they were an official MLB uniform supplier, and as such could use their sleeve logo. They did not have such status in 2005-06, so the logo would not be present were it from then

Finally, a simple check of www.baseball-almanac.com shows that #39 in 2002 was pitcher Jay Powell…no great challenge to find this information.

This information was forwarded to the auction house a week ago, and, as of this writing, has not been corrected. Apparently, the auction house and their hired authenticator aren’t making accuracy in advertising a priority.

OBITUARY

Darrell Garretson, 31-year NBA referee and father of current NBA ref Pat Garretson, died earlier this week at age 76 after a downturn in health following surgery and subsequent illnesses.

CUBS AND WHITE SOX STILL IN FIRST…EXCELLENT!

MORE LOGO LORE

More on the use of manufacturer logos in the majors and minors of baseball starts off the column.

BP jerseys first sported sleeve logos with those made by Rawlings in 1987. A lot of teams ordered from both Rawlings and Majestic, who scored a BP jersey deal with MLB and was allowed to add sleeve logos in 1990.

The original Majestic logo was the simple word “Majestic”, and was used until 1993. In 1994, a fancy logo combining the supplier name with a multi-color twin peaks logo, and kept that logo until 1999, after which the one color twin peaks logo surfaced, and has been used from 2000 up to the present. As was the case with game jerseys, the 1994-99 logo did carry over to some 2000 BPs

Rawlings logos were two in design since 1987. The company name in script was used from 1987-97. A R in an oval became the norm in 1998. As was the case with Russell in the 1990’s, either could put a sleeve logo on a BP shirt while they were contracted as an official MLB uniform supplier. That means for Rawlings 1987-91. Anything from 1992-99 that has a Rawlings sleeve logo on the left is a minor league jersey, such as several Class A and AA Orioles #8 black mesh jerseys that have been incorrectly “authenticated” by a well-known non-MEARS authenticator.

In the minors, be it game or BP unies, any company can choose to put a logo on their apparel, as the minors have no single official supplier. Prior to 2000, minor league logos were on the left sleeve (opposite of the MLB norm). Subsequently, minor league shirts can use either side of the jersey to display their logos.

MISIDENTIFIED BAT ON INTERNET

A dealer recently placed a 1973-75 H&B block lettered bat up on eBay, with a name of Siebert on the barrel. The dealer (as would many collectors) assumed the bat was issued to and used by Sonny Siebert, former Red Sox, Indians, Padres and Cardinals hurler. Problem was, there was a second Siebert who played in the Bigs during the final two years of that 73-75 labeling period. That was Paul Siebert, a Houston Astros moundsman who wore the #31 markered on the knob, digits the more famous Siebert never wore.

On the bad side, it’s another example of a major dealer doing sloppy research of their product. But, on the good side, there are several Astros bat collectors in the hobby, if Game-Used Forum is any indication. Hopefully, one of them won it.

FAVRE’S #4 RETIREMENT DATE SET

The Packers will waste no time in mothballing Brett Favre’s #4 in green and yellow, choosing the 2008 home opener, in which the Pack hosts Minnesota, to do so. Favre will be the sixth Packer to have his number retired (though he has made the sports media swoon and genuflect far more than any of the first five).

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER AUCTION

A fundraising auction for Hockey Fights Cancer, featuring All-Star Game items including game-worn sweaters, is currently running on NHLPA.com, with bidding ending at 9PM EST on April 30. Items will come with LOAs from the NHL and NHLPA, as well as registration into the MeiGray database. A fine cause with fine authenticity backing.

BRAVES PATCH

Atlanta is wearing a BEACH memoriam patch in honor of longtime organization man Jim Beauchamp, who passed away in the offseason

OBITUARIES

Tommy Holmes, a NL star from 1942-52, all but the final year with the Boston Braves, passed away at age 91 several days ago. Holmes set a NL record with a 37-game hitting streak, since surpassed by Pete Rose. Hobby-wise, one would love a satin 1948 Braves uniform, and his brief Topps card history features a variation in the ’51 Red Back set: Holmes listed as a Boston Brave and as a manager of Hartford.

John Marzano, a 10-year MLB veteran, died Saturday after a fall down a flight of stairs. He was 45. Marzano played for the Red Sox, Rangers and Mariners in the Majors, as well as spending time in the farm systems of the Phillies and Indians.

Also, Buzz Nutter, a center for the Colts and Steelers from 1954-65, died of heart failure at age 77. He was the man who snapped the pigskin to Johnny Unitas for the 958and ’59 NFL Champion Colts squads.

TWO WINNING BASEBALL TEAMS IN CHICAGO…I’M GONNA ENJOY IT!

MORE LOGO LORE

More on the use of manufacturer logos in the majors and minors of baseball starts off the column.

BP jerseys first sported sleeve logos with those made by Rawlings in 1987. A lot of teams ordered from both Rawlings and Majestic, who scored a BP jersey deal with MLB and was allowed to add sleeve logos in 1990.

The original Majestic logo was the simple word “Majestic”, and was used until 1993. In 1994, a fancy logo combining the supplier name with a multi-color twin peaks logo, and kept that logo until 1999, after which the one color twin peaks logo surfaced, and has been used from 2000 up to the present. As was the case with game jerseys, the 1994-99 logo did carry over to some 2000 BPs

Rawlings logos were two in design since 1987. The company name in script was used from 1987-97. A R in an oval became the norm in 1998. As was the case with Russell in the 1990’s, either could put a sleeve logo on a BP shirt while they were contracted as an official MLB uniform supplier. That means for Rawlings 1987-91. Anything from 1992-99 that has a Rawlings sleeve logo on the left is a minor league jersey, such as several Class A and AA Orioles #8 black mesh jerseys that have been incorrectly “authenticated” by a well-known non-MEARS authenticator.

In the minors, be it game or BP unies, any company can choose to put a logo on their apparel, as the minors have no single official supplier. Prior to 2000, minor league logos were on the left sleeve (opposite of the MLB norm). Subsequently, minor league shirts can use either side of the jersey to display their logos.

MISIDENTIFIED BAT ON INTERNET

A dealer recently placed a 1973-75 H&B block lettered bat up on eBay, with a name of Siebert on the barrel. The dealer (as would many collectors) assumed the bat was issued to and used by Sonny Siebert, former Red Sox, Indians, Padres and Cardinals hurler. Problem was, there was a second Siebert who played in the Bigs during the final two years of that 73-75 labeling period. That was Paul Siebert, a Houston Astros moundsman who wore the #31 markered on the knob, digits the more famous Siebert never wore.

On the bad side, it’s another example of a major dealer doing sloppy research of their product. But, on the good side, there are several Astros bat collectors in the hobby, if Game-Used Forum is any indication. Hopefully, one of them won it.

FAVRE’S #4 RETIREMENT DATE SET

The Packers will waste no time in mothballing Brett Favre’s #4 in green and yellow, choosing the 2008 home opener, in which the Pack hosts Minnesota, to do so. Favre will be the sixth Packer to have his number retired (though he has made the sports media swoon and genuflect far more than any of the first five).

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER AUCTION

A fundraising auction for Hockey Fights Cancer, featuring All-Star Game items including game-worn sweaters, is currently running on NHLPA.com, with bidding ending at 9PM EST on April 30. Items will come with LOAs from the NHL and NHLPA, as well as registration into the MeiGray database. A fine cause with fine authenticity backing.

BRAVES PATCH

Atlanta is wearing a BEACH memoriam patch in honor of longtime organization man Jim Beauchamp, who passed away in the offseason

OBITUARIES

Tommy Holmes, a NL star from 1942-52, all but the final year with the Boston Braves, passed away at age 91 several days ago. Holmes set a NL record with a 37-game hitting streak, since surpassed by Pete Rose. Hobby-wise, one would love a satin 1948 Braves uniform, and his brief Topps card history features a variation in the ’51 Red Back set: Holmes listed as a Boston Brave and as a manager of Hartford.

John Marzano, a 10-year MLB veteran, died Saturday after a fall down a flight of stairs. He was 45. Marzano played for the Red Sox, Rangers and Mariners in the Majors, as well as spending time in the farm systems of the Phillies and Indians.

Also, Buzz Nutter, a center for the Colts and Steelers from 1954-65, died of heart failure at age 77. He was the man who snapped the pigskin to Johnny Unitas for the 958and ’59 NFL Champion Colts squads.

TWO WINNING BASEBALL TEAMS IN CHICAGO…I’M GONNA ENJOY IT!

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN JEFFREY JONES

No, we’re not referring to the actor who played Principal Rooney in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This salute to a good deed is extended to a 48-year old Columbus Dispatch season ticket-holder of that name, whose story kicks this column off with a feel-good tale.

At the last home game for the Jackets, the team held a Shirt Off My Back promotion (nothing to do with this column, natch). Jones won the jersey worn by Tommy Sestito, who was making his NHL debut in that game.

Knowing that fact, Jones and his wife felt the jersey would have more significance to Sestito than to him. While he was invited onto the ice to receive his prize, he didn’t act there, concerned of possibly embarrassing the rookie. So, using his ticket accountant with the team, the arrangement was made to give Sestito his first NHL sweater. Jones wasn’t asking for anything in return, though the Jackets generously provided him with a signed Sestito team-issued road jersey.

Thanks to the Columbus Dispatch for giving Mr. Jones credit where credit is due.

PATCH NEWS

The NCAA teams that reached the Final Four had the NCAA Tournament patch issued to all 64 teams removed in favor of a Final Four logo.

Also, the Pittsburgh Pirates are wearing a yellow and black rectangular patch on their home jerseys celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the city of Pittsburgh.

LOGO LORE

In Major League Baseball, sleeve logos are only worn on uniforms that are from official, contracted MLB suppliers. That’s why 1987-99 Braves homes (and 1987-92 roads) had no logo…they were made by Wilson. The majority of 1987-99 Blue Jays jerseys and many 1992-99 Whiten Sox jerseys also are logo-less due to being from Wilson. You’ll also lack manufacturer logos on 1992-99 Cardinals, many 1992-99 Pirates, 1992-94 Dodgers, and most Barry Bonds Giants jerseys, all from Rawlings. Goodman, too, could not place a company logo on Nolan Ryan Rangers unies it had produced, as well as 1990-91 home Padres and some 1987-93 Astros outfits.

The supplier logos that are used are Rawlings (1987-91 and 2000-02); Russell (1992-2004) and Majestic (2000-present). The logos were placed on the right sleeve until 2000, when they were switched over to the left sleeve. A small number of 2000 and even 2001 Russell gamers may still have a right sleeve logo due to being older shells used after the change was made. Vests before 2000 had the Russell logo on the back of the neck, with no logos from 2000-04 (although undershirts carried a left sleeve logo) and, starting in 2005, Majestic vests placed the logo on top of the left arm hole.

Next time, logos on BP jerseys and minor league unies will be covered.

SOT: RAIN WASHES OUT HISTORIC MLB FIRST

Thursday’s consistent rain that postponed the White Sox-Twins game in Chicago also postponed a historic first for MLB. The starting pitchers were to be Livan Hernandez (Twins) and Jose Contreras (Chisox). It would have marked the first time ever in MLB annals that opposing starting pitchers for a game would have both been Cuban defectors.

OBITUARY

NBA 1947-50 player John Toomay died March 12th at age 85 due to a case of peritonitis (stomach infection…I’ve been hospitalized for it twice myself). Toomay played for the Chicago Stags and 5 other early NBA teams. His son is Pat Toomay, a 10-year NFL DE with Dallas and Oakland.

CUBBIES AT 5 IN A ROW AND COUNTING…WE’VE GOT THE SWAGGER!

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN JEFFREY JONES

No, we’re not referring to the actor who played Principal Rooney in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This salute to a good deed is extended to a 48-year old Columbus Dispatch season ticket-holder of that name, whose story kicks this column off with a feel-good tale.

At the last home game for the Jackets, the team held a Shirt Off My Back promotion (nothing to do with this column, natch). Jones won the jersey worn by Tommy Sestito, who was making his NHL debut in that game.

Knowing that fact, Jones and his wife felt the jersey would have more significance to Sestito than to him. While he was invited onto the ice to receive his prize, he didn’t act there, concerned of possibly embarrassing the rookie. So, using his ticket accountant with the team, the arrangement was made to give Sestito his first NHL sweater. Jones wasn’t asking for anything in return, though the Jackets generously provided him with a signed Sestito team-issued road jersey.

Thanks to the Columbus Dispatch for giving Mr. Jones credit where credit is due.

PATCH NEWS

The NCAA teams that reached the Final Four had the NCAA Tournament patch issued to all 64 teams removed in favor of a Final Four logo.

Also, the Pittsburgh Pirates are wearing a yellow and black rectangular patch on their home jerseys celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the city of Pittsburgh.

LOGO LORE

In Major League Baseball, sleeve logos are only worn on uniforms that are from official, contracted MLB suppliers. That’s why 1987-99 Braves homes (and 1987-92 roads) had no logo…they were made by Wilson. The majority of 1987-99 Blue Jays jerseys and many 1992-99 Whiten Sox jerseys also are logo-less due to being from Wilson. You’ll also lack manufacturer logos on 1992-99 Cardinals, many 1992-99 Pirates, 1992-94 Dodgers, and most Barry Bonds Giants jerseys, all from Rawlings. Goodman, too, could not place a company logo on Nolan Ryan Rangers unies it had produced, as well as 1990-91 home Padres and some 1987-93 Astros outfits.

The supplier logos that are used are Rawlings (1987-91 and 2000-02); Russell (1992-2004) and Majestic (2000-present). The logos were placed on the right sleeve until 2000, when they were switched over to the left sleeve. A small number of 2000 and even 2001 Russell gamers may still have a right sleeve logo due to being older shells used after the change was made. Vests before 2000 had the Russell logo on the back of the neck, with no logos from 2000-04 (although undershirts carried a left sleeve logo) and, starting in 2005, Majestic vests placed the logo on top of the left arm hole.

Next time, logos on BP jerseys and minor league unies will be covered.

SOT: RAIN WASHES OUT HISTORIC MLB FIRST

Thursday’s consistent rain that postponed the White Sox-Twins game in Chicago also postponed a historic first for MLB. The starting pitchers were to be Livan Hernandez (Twins) and Jose Contreras (Chisox). It would have marked the first time ever in MLB annals that opposing starting pitchers for a game would have both been Cuban defectors.

OBITUARY

NBA 1947-50 player John Toomay died March 12th at age 85 due to a case of peritonitis (stomach infection…I’ve been hospitalized for it twice myself). Toomay played for the Chicago Stags and 5 other early NBA teams. His son is Pat Toomay, a 10-year NFL DE with Dallas and Oakland.

CUBBIES AT 5 IN A ROW AND COUNTING…WE’VE GOT THE SWAGGER!

ABOUT THE NL CENTENNIAL PATCH

The round patch worn by 11 of the 12 NL teams in 1976 (Montreal abstained and chose to wear an Olympic patch as the 1976 Summers Games host) has been discussed in various places with all sorts of replicas being sold. To assist collectors, the most obvious signs to look for on a real patch are as follows:

a) Raised red rim on the round patch. No raised red rim, no good.

b) Copyright date of 1975 in the body of the patch, preceded by the copyright logo (“C” inside circle). A 1976 copyright date is a major problem.

c) The Copyright date should be embroidered in white on the white background, making it visible only upon close range viewing. If the notation is blue or red, then the patch is as good as dead.

For MEARS Members, this patch and any number of others can be viewed and compared to the replica versions in Dave Grob’s article on Replica Patches found in the News Archive Section.

WHITE SOX GARAGE SALE

The White Sox are holding their garage sale of game-used equipment on Saturday, May 17 from 9AM-2PM at U.S. Cellular Field. As always, plenty of jerseys, bats, caps, and other game-used goodies will be available.

MAXIMUM CARRYOVER?

I recently saw a unique 2001 Florida Marlins home jersey. The player was OF Eric Owens. As is the norm for the time no year tags were present; however, the 9-11 flag was intact on the back of the neck.

What made this jersey so noticeable was the Russell manufacturer tag. A 1992 tag (slash on logo is straight, not slanted down) was present on a 2001 jersey! Some kind of record, perhaps? After all, Russell was in the fourth of its five MLB supplier label designs by then and this was the first. Email me or the bulletin board if you hve something verifiably authentic that can top that!

YES, THERE ARE FAKE COMMONS

Fake common jerseys in ML equipment collecting are few and far between, but they do pop up, especially with older knits, when many styles and/or teams available in quantity now were considered scarce or rare 20-25 years ago.

The most recent example I saw was a 1983 Orioles orange alternate of Floyd Rayford. The ’83 orange O’s tops were only worn a few times in ’83, so it may have been considered scarce and desirable in the mid-1980s. This one, however, had two noted flaws: a strip tag in the tail with embroidery font not consistent with known exemplars, and a collar Wilson tag with stitch holes pointing to removal and reattachment. It’s probably the only Floyd Rayford jersey I’ll ever grade Unable To Authentic, but it’s a reminder to keep on your toes and not assume anything just because the player is not a big star.

OBITUARIES

Ray Smith Poole, an end who played for the New York Giants from 1947-52, died of cancer last week at age 86. Poole was a two-sport star at Ole Miss, also adept at baseball. He briefly played in the Chicago Cubs system, but never made it to the Bigs. He appeared on Bowman cards in 1948 and 1951.

Roy Foster died March 21 of unreported causes. He was an OF who played 3 years with the Indians, and was traded to the Rangers before retiring. Any of his Indians jerseys would be desirable…an unaltered 1970 3-D script type, the altered 1970 jersey with solid navy lettering (used in 1971), or his rare fi9rst year knit (red letters and numbers) in 1972.

Finally, Billy Consolo, a 1950s/early 60s IF with the Red Sox and 5 other teams, passed away on March 27th. He also spent most of the 1980s as a coach under Tigers skipper Sparky Anderson. Key jerseys: 1959-60 Senators home or road.

ABOUT THE NL CENTENNIAL PATCH

The round patch worn by 11 of the 12 NL teams in 1976 (Montreal abstained and chose to wear an Olympic patch as the 1976 Summers Games host) has been discussed in various places with all sorts of replicas being sold. To assist collectors, the most obvious signs to look for on a real patch are as follows:

a) Raised red rim on the round patch. No raised red rim, no good.

b) Copyright date of 1975 in the body of the patch, preceded by the copyright logo (“C” inside circle). A 1976 copyright date is a major problem.

c) The Copyright date should be embroidered in white on the white background, making it visible only upon close range viewing. If the notation is blue or red, then the patch is as good as dead.

For MEARS Members, this patch and any number of others can be viewed and compared to the replica versions in Dave Grob’s article on Replica Patches found in the News Archive Section.

WHITE SOX GARAGE SALE

The White Sox are holding their garage sale of game-used equipment on Saturday, May 17 from 9AM-2PM at U.S. Cellular Field. As always, plenty of jerseys, bats, caps, and other game-used goodies will be available.

MAXIMUM CARRYOVER?

I recently saw a unique 2001 Florida Marlins home jersey. The player was OF Eric Owens. As is the norm for the time no year tags were present; however, the 9-11 flag was intact on the back of the neck.

What made this jersey so noticeable was the Russell manufacturer tag. A 1992 tag (slash on logo is straight, not slanted down) was present on a 2001 jersey! Some kind of record, perhaps? After all, Russell was in the fourth of its five MLB supplier label designs by then and this was the first. Email me or the bulletin board if you hve something verifiably authentic that can top that!

YES, THERE ARE FAKE COMMONS

Fake common jerseys in ML equipment collecting are few and far between, but they do pop up, especially with older knits, when many styles and/or teams available in quantity now were considered scarce or rare 20-25 years ago.

The most recent example I saw was a 1983 Orioles orange alternate of Floyd Rayford. The ’83 orange O’s tops were only worn a few times in ’83, so it may have been considered scarce and desirable in the mid-1980s. This one, however, had two noted flaws: a strip tag in the tail with embroidery font not consistent with known exemplars, and a collar Wilson tag with stitch holes pointing to removal and reattachment. It’s probably the only Floyd Rayford jersey I’ll ever grade Unable To Authentic, but it’s a reminder to keep on your toes and not assume anything just because the player is not a big star.

OBITUARIES

Ray Smith Poole, an end who played for the New York Giants from 1947-52, died of cancer last week at age 86. Poole was a two-sport star at Ole Miss, also adept at baseball. He briefly played in the Chicago Cubs system, but never made it to the Bigs. He appeared on Bowman cards in 1948 and 1951.

Roy Foster died March 21 of unreported causes. He was an OF who played 3 years with the Indians, and was traded to the Rangers before retiring. Any of his Indians jerseys would be desirable…an unaltered 1970 3-D script type, the altered 1970 jersey with solid navy lettering (used in 1971), or his rare fi9rst year knit (red letters and numbers) in 1972.

Finally, Billy Consolo, a 1950s/early 60s IF with the Red Sox and 5 other teams, passed away on March 27th. He also spent most of the 1980s as a coach under Tigers skipper Sparky Anderson. Key jerseys: 1959-60 Senators home or road.

FOUND: RARE FLANNEL

Ebay featured what would be one of the rarest of post-1960 flannel styles a few weeks ago…the script front 1961 Tigers home jersey.

As the story goes, Travers City sportswriter Nick Edson had lunch with a high-level front office employee from that era of the Tigers. The ex-Tiger suit told Edson that a higher ranking front office guy ordered the jerseys destroyed after use, as he hated them vehemently. The only one he acknowledged had survive was an Al Kaline that Kaline himself took home.

Well, there’s one out there now. A jersey originally issued to coach Billy Hitchcock in 1959 (standard Olde English D styles) was overhauled with logo and number changes (and braiding removal) and reissued in late ’61 to call-up George Alusik, #26 in your program. The jersey sold for $1,075, a steal in my book, even with the cosmetic overhaul.

NOT THE FIRST TIME

Oddly enough, that jersey isn’t the first time I’ve seen an MLB ballclub overhaul a jersey style to accommodate a newcomer. No less a name than Rocky Colavito found himself in a similar situation with the low-budget 1967 White Sox. Colavito’s road jersey was a reconstructed 1966 road flannel! In addition to number changes, the arched, block-lettered CHICAGO was removed, and the scripted navy Chicago, with a white chain-stitched WHITE SOX on the slash underneath, was added. This piece was part of the White Sox style collection of the late Dr. John Goldberg, who turned down a $2,000 offer for the flannel while he was alive.

Has anyone else seen or do they own a front script-changed MLB gamer. Share it with us on the MEARS bulletin board or at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com

YANKEES WEAR VA TECH LOGO CAPS

On March 18th, the Yankees continued their remembrance of the Virgina Tech shooting victims by playing an exhibition game against the Va Tech varsity, which the Yanks won, 11-0. For the event, the Yankees had two different style caps they wore. The first was a standard navy blue Yankees cap, but with the VT logo added to the left side in white letters with red trim. The other carried the same front and side logos, but was done in Virginia Tech’s team colors. Prior to that, Owner Emeritus George Steinbrenner donated $1 million to the victims fund.

NCAA PATCHES

The past few years, Final Four teams in the NCAA basketball playoffs wore a F4 patch for those season-ending games. The practice has been expanded during the current March Madness exercise, and all 64 teams sport a blue round patch with a white NCAA inscribed.

b> MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: I landed a Billy Grabarkewitz Dodgers home knit by Goodman. Is it a player jersey (1972) or a later (Old-Timers Game) piece? Photos included.

A: The jersey is a late 1970s or 1980s Old-Timers game piece. The telltale clue is the two-toned (blue trimmed in white) number and name on back. In 1972, those elements were single tackle twill blue.

THE CUBS WILL BE GREAT IN 2008!

FOUND: RARE FLANNEL

Ebay featured what would be one of the rarest of post-1960 flannel styles a few weeks ago…the script front 1961 Tigers home jersey.

As the story goes, Travers City sportswriter Nick Edson had lunch with a high-level front office employee from that era of the Tigers. The ex-Tiger suit told Edson that a higher ranking front office guy ordered the jerseys destroyed after use, as he hated them vehemently. The only one he acknowledged had survive was an Al Kaline that Kaline himself took home.

Well, there’s one out there now. A jersey originally issued to coach Billy Hitchcock in 1959 (standard Olde English D styles) was overhauled with logo and number changes (and braiding removal) and reissued in late ’61 to call-up George Alusik, #26 in your program. The jersey sold for $1,075, a steal in my book, even with the cosmetic overhaul.

NOT THE FIRST TIME

Oddly enough, that jersey isn’t the first time I’ve seen an MLB ballclub overhaul a jersey style to accommodate a newcomer. No less a name than Rocky Colavito found himself in a similar situation with the low-budget 1967 White Sox. Colavito’s road jersey was a reconstructed 1966 road flannel! In addition to number changes, the arched, block-lettered CHICAGO was removed, and the scripted navy Chicago, with a white chain-stitched WHITE SOX on the slash underneath, was added. This piece was part of the White Sox style collection of the late Dr. John Goldberg, who turned down a $2,000 offer for the flannel while he was alive.

Has anyone else seen or do they own a front script-changed MLB gamer. Share it with us on the MEARS bulletin board or at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com

YANKEES WEAR VA TECH LOGO CAPS

On March 18th, the Yankees continued their remembrance of the Virgina Tech shooting victims by playing an exhibition game against the Va Tech varsity, which the Yanks won, 11-0. For the event, the Yankees had two different style caps they wore. The first was a standard navy blue Yankees cap, but with the VT logo added to the left side in white letters with red trim. The other carried the same front and side logos, but was done in Virginia Tech’s team colors. Prior to that, Owner Emeritus George Steinbrenner donated $1 million to the victims fund.

NCAA PATCHES

The past few years, Final Four teams in the NCAA basketball playoffs wore a F4 patch for those season-ending games. The practice has been expanded during the current March Madness exercise, and all 64 teams sport a blue round patch with a white NCAA inscribed.

b> MIEDEMA’S MAILBOX

Q: I landed a Billy Grabarkewitz Dodgers home knit by Goodman. Is it a player jersey (1972) or a later (Old-Timers Game) piece? Photos included.

A: The jersey is a late 1970s or 1980s Old-Timers game piece. The telltale clue is the two-toned (blue trimmed in white) number and name on back. In 1972, those elements were single tackle twill blue.

THE CUBS WILL BE GREAT IN 2008!

PATCH NEWS

Spring training is producing some unique patches for a few National League teams. The Pittsburgh Pirates are wearing a logo on their spring BP/game jerseys to celebrate their 40th year of training in Bradenton, Florida. Across the country and the Pacific Ocean, the unies being worn by the Dodgers and Padres (standard home whites and BP/spring game, respectively) will both carry a China Series 2008 patch, with wording in both English and Chinese. A differently shaped heat-pressed logo will be on the left side of the caps used by both squads in Beijing.

ALL US FLAG CAPS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

The cap segue allows me to continue with the U.S. flag game caps worn by all MLB teams since 2001. The current (2002-present) variety features a heat-pressed Stars and Stripes on the left side, with use being primarily on July 4th, Memorial Day, and the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The original, 2001 design was a bit different, however. As most of you will recall, the schedule was suspended for a week, with the games involved being tacked on to the end of the existing schedule. With the week of downtime, all MLB teams were issued U.S. flag caps, but with a difference from the later models. Instead of a heat-pressed logo, the flag on the 2001 version was embroidered directly into the cap fabric. I have a 2001 U.S. flag cap given to me the last day of the season by Pirates 1B Kevin Young. Subsequent years caps I and other collecting pals got from players or team sales had the heat-pressed flag. So, the originals from 2001 are, indeed, discernable from the others, and, in my humble opinion, should command a premium.

TAR HEELS TO RETIRE NUMBER

The #50 uniform of North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough is to be retired, a custom UNC honors all College Basketball Player of the Year winners on the Tar Heels.

AN EXAMPLE OF THEM

For those who read my article several months ago about commons being faked, a few such bogus non-star jerseys just popped up on eBay. Touted as game-used, the pair (one Arizona, one Colorado) carry retail tagging that one will not find on late 1990s/early 2000s jerseys of either team. The pair was priced with opening bids reasonable for non-team issued shirts, but anyone thinking they are getting a steal on a game-worn jersey will be sorely mistaken.

OBITUARIES

Otto Schnellbacher, a pro in three different major sports leagues, died at age 84 early last week. Schnellbacher’s 4-year pro football career was evenly split between the AAFC New York Yanks and the NFL New York Giants, while also playing in the 1948-49 NBA season with the Providence Steamrollers and St. Louis Bombers…anything he wore, especially the items from the two long-defunct NBA clubs, would be prime auction material. He appeared on a 1951 Bowman football card.

Also, 8-year WR Buddy Dial, who spent 1959-63 as a Steeler and 1964-66 wearing Southland Cowboys durene gamers, passed away on February 29th as a result of complications from treatment for cancer and pneumonia. He was 79.

Dial appeared on a handful of Topps football cards, one of which (1963) is a short print.

TWO WEEKS TO GO TO OPENING DAY!

PATCH NEWS

Spring training is producing some unique patches for a few National League teams. The Pittsburgh Pirates are wearing a logo on their spring BP/game jerseys to celebrate their 40th year of training in Bradenton, Florida. Across the country and the Pacific Ocean, the unies being worn by the Dodgers and Padres (standard home whites and BP/spring game, respectively) will both carry a China Series 2008 patch, with wording in both English and Chinese. A differently shaped heat-pressed logo will be on the left side of the caps used by both squads in Beijing.

ALL US FLAG CAPS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

The cap segue allows me to continue with the U.S. flag game caps worn by all MLB teams since 2001. The current (2002-present) variety features a heat-pressed Stars and Stripes on the left side, with use being primarily on July 4th, Memorial Day, and the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The original, 2001 design was a bit different, however. As most of you will recall, the schedule was suspended for a week, with the games involved being tacked on to the end of the existing schedule. With the week of downtime, all MLB teams were issued U.S. flag caps, but with a difference from the later models. Instead of a heat-pressed logo, the flag on the 2001 version was embroidered directly into the cap fabric. I have a 2001 U.S. flag cap given to me the last day of the season by Pirates 1B Kevin Young. Subsequent years caps I and other collecting pals got from players or team sales had the heat-pressed flag. So, the originals from 2001 are, indeed, discernable from the others, and, in my humble opinion, should command a premium.

TAR HEELS TO RETIRE NUMBER

The #50 uniform of North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough is to be retired, a custom UNC honors all College Basketball Player of the Year winners on the Tar Heels.

AN EXAMPLE OF THEM

For those who read my article several months ago about commons being faked, a few such bogus non-star jerseys just popped up on eBay. Touted as game-used, the pair (one Arizona, one Colorado) carry retail tagging that one will not find on late 1990s/early 2000s jerseys of either team. The pair was priced with opening bids reasonable for non-team issued shirts, but anyone thinking they are getting a steal on a game-worn jersey will be sorely mistaken.

OBITUARIES

Otto Schnellbacher, a pro in three different major sports leagues, died at age 84 early last week. Schnellbacher’s 4-year pro football career was evenly split between the AAFC New York Yanks and the NFL New York Giants, while also playing in the 1948-49 NBA season with the Providence Steamrollers and St. Louis Bombers…anything he wore, especially the items from the two long-defunct NBA clubs, would be prime auction material. He appeared on a 1951 Bowman football card.

Also, 8-year WR Buddy Dial, who spent 1959-63 as a Steeler and 1964-66 wearing Southland Cowboys durene gamers, passed away on February 29th as a result of complications from treatment for cancer and pneumonia. He was 79.

Dial appeared on a handful of Topps football cards, one of which (1963) is a short print.

TWO WEEKS TO GO TO OPENING DAY!

“READY-MADE BUT BOGUS HOF JERSEYS

Back in the days before scientific authentication, some of the high-demand items dealt around in a less knowledgeable hobby used to be nothing more than lesser-named jerseys altered with a scissors or thread puller to become something they weren’t, but which escaped detection in a then-authenticator-free hobby. Three such examples are detailed here.

Red Sox collectors of the 1970s and 1980s hade to be careful on McAuliffe Red Sox pullover knits of Fergie Jenkins and Luis Aparicio. Most of the jerseys in this era alleged to be worn by them while playing for the Bosox were actually common jersey in which the year tag just “happened” to have “fell out”, even though no other tags showed any signs of coming loose.

In Jenkins’ case, his predecessor as Boston’s #31 was coach Don Bryant…briefly Fergie’s teammate on the Cubs, and a coach in the early-mid 1970s with the Red Sox who, like Jenkins, wore #31 and, also like Jenkins, took a size 48. Presto, the 1972-75 Boston Bryants suddenly started popping up “missing” the year tag.

The same problem involves Luis Aparicio Red Sox pullovers. A Red Sox in 1972-73, the size 38 Little Looie had his #11 used after his retirement by a number of diminutive infielders, including Ramon Aviles and others. Ergo, alleged 1972 Bosox Aparicio gamers were actually later ones (he retired before the 1974 season, although it is possible that jerseys for that year were made for him, but either worn by another player or not worn at all). Of course, these excess Aparicio’s had a missing year tag, too.

Then, there are the handful of 1967 Astros home flannels of Eddie Mathews floating around. Wilson home Astros gamers of the era featured all tail tagging: the Wilson label in the tail, and a chain-stitched year entered directly into the fabric underneath. With Mathews and the next #11 on Houston, Denis Menke, both taking size 42 at the time, more than one 1968-70 Menke Shooting Star flannel had the tail conveniently (and underhandedly) cut so that the Wilson tag was intact, but the year notation was now gone.

EBAY TIP

One thing I’ve tried, with much, though not unerring success, has been to view eBay listings in which the seller declares PayPal Only . For many of these, I’ve emailed the seller, and politely asked if, with no Pay Pal account, would it be OK for me to bid and pay with a money order if I win? I’ve gotten the go-ahead far more tims than I’ve been turned down (twice). Things to remember: It’s a request, not a demand, so don’t get obnoxious or declarative in your email; don’t make the request on something ready to end in a few hours…I usually make sure the item has at least a day to go, so that the seller has time to digest and respond to my request; and, if the seller declines, no nasty emails in response. The seller has his or her reasons if he/she wants to stick with Pay Pal, so their preferences should be respected.

FINALLY, A FOLLOW-UP

I located another example of a variation in patch placement on a player-worn jersey. This one comes from the NFL, where a friend showed me a 1969 team picture postcard of the Minnesota Vikings. Clad in their home purples, the players all had the NFL 50 year patch on their left shoulders… except for safety Paul Krause, whose durene Sand-Knit shirt had the patch on his right shoulder!

THREE WEEKS AND ONE DAY TO OPENING DAY…I CAN’T WAIT!!!

“READY-MADE BUT BOGUS HOF JERSEYS

Back in the days before scientific authentication, some of the high-demand items dealt around in a less knowledgeable hobby used to be nothing more than lesser-named jerseys altered with a scissors or thread puller to become something they weren’t, but which escaped detection in a then-authenticator-free hobby. Three such examples are detailed here.

Red Sox collectors of the 1970s and 1980s hade to be careful on McAuliffe Red Sox pullover knits of Fergie Jenkins and Luis Aparicio. Most of the jerseys in this era alleged to be worn by them while playing for the Bosox were actually common jersey in which the year tag just “happened” to have “fell out”, even though no other tags showed any signs of coming loose.

In Jenkins’ case, his predecessor as Boston’s #31 was coach Don Bryant…briefly Fergie’s teammate on the Cubs, and a coach in the early-mid 1970s with the Red Sox who, like Jenkins, wore #31 and, also like Jenkins, took a size 48. Presto, the 1972-75 Boston Bryants suddenly started popping up “missing” the year tag.

The same problem involves Luis Aparicio Red Sox pullovers. A Red Sox in 1972-73, the size 38 Little Looie had his #11 used after his retirement by a number of diminutive infielders, including Ramon Aviles and others. Ergo, alleged 1972 Bosox Aparicio gamers were actually later ones (he retired before the 1974 season, although it is possible that jerseys for that year were made for him, but either worn by another player or not worn at all). Of course, these excess Aparicio’s had a missing year tag, too.

Then, there are the handful of 1967 Astros home flannels of Eddie Mathews floating around. Wilson home Astros gamers of the era featured all tail tagging: the Wilson label in the tail, and a chain-stitched year entered directly into the fabric underneath. With Mathews and the next #11 on Houston, Denis Menke, both taking size 42 at the time, more than one 1968-70 Menke Shooting Star flannel had the tail conveniently (and underhandedly) cut so that the Wilson tag was intact, but the year notation was now gone.

EBAY TIP

One thing I’ve tried, with much, though not unerring success, has been to view eBay listings in which the seller declares PayPal Only . For many of these, I’ve emailed the seller, and politely asked if, with no Pay Pal account, would it be OK for me to bid and pay with a money order if I win? I’ve gotten the go-ahead far more tims than I’ve been turned down (twice). Things to remember: It’s a request, not a demand, so don’t get obnoxious or declarative in your email; don’t make the request on something ready to end in a few hours…I usually make sure the item has at least a day to go, so that the seller has time to digest and respond to my request; and, if the seller declines, no nasty emails in response. The seller has his or her reasons if he/she wants to stick with Pay Pal, so their preferences should be respected.

FINALLY, A FOLLOW-UP

I located another example of a variation in patch placement on a player-worn jersey. This one comes from the NFL, where a friend showed me a 1969 team picture postcard of the Minnesota Vikings. Clad in their home purples, the players all had the NFL 50 year patch on their left shoulders… except for safety Paul Krause, whose durene Sand-Knit shirt had the patch on his right shoulder!

THREE WEEKS AND ONE DAY TO OPENING DAY…I CAN’T WAIT!!!

MORE MLB TRIBUTES TO THE FALLEN

The St. Louis Cardinals wore Kirkwood High School baseball caps to pay tribute to victims of a shooting in another part of the Missouri town back on February 7. The caps, after use, were signed and are now being auctioned on the Cardinals team website with a closing date of March 5th. This in line with the White Sox doing the same with the Northern Illinois University caps the team wore this past Wednesday and are to be auctioned on the White Sox team website.

The other team in the Windy City…the internationally loved Cubs…are also entering the NIU Tribute sweepstakes. In addition to a sizeable donation to the school’s fund for the victim’s families, the Cubs will fly a rooftop flag with the NIU logo for all home games in 2008. This will appear on the Wrigley Field rooftops, where now exists retired flag, Cubs greats, and first-place finish flags. You can figure a few of them to fly during the season, with the wear and tear whipping in the wind and other weather-related wear produces. These would look to draw spirited bidding if the Cubs put them up for auction, either at the 2009 Cub Convention or earlier via the Cubs website or www.mlb.com/auctions.

HAWAII WARRIORS SHORT-LIVED GAMERS

An eBay dealer recently auctioned a pair of college football jerseys that didn’t last long. The Hawaii Warriors, in 2005, wore, for 3 road games, jerseys with silver numbers. After the third usage, the Warriors, being pelted with complaints from press box denizens who couldn’t read the jersey numbers, retired the style.

BEWARE BIG HURT GLOVES CIRCA 1994

If it ever seems like there’s a lot of “game-used” Frank Thomas 1B mitts floating around, there’s a reason, and it isn’t one to benefit honest collectors.

Circa 1994, Thomas mitts with evident wear were popping up in unusually large numbers. The majority, however, bore simulated, and not real game use. Two of the guys eventually charged and convicted in Operation Bullpen teamed up for this illicit work. One of them worked for the White Sox at the time as a security guard, and he was making off with Thomas mitts that the team had ordered in quantity for charity auction donations. Once in his auspices, he and his brother would go to the local park and “have a catch” together, with their catch-playing efforts resulting in producing simulated “game-used” gloves, with the Big Hurt never once having actually used them. People with expert level knowledge of fielding gloves, such as Joe Phillips or Denny Esken, could likely provide additional background on this, as gloves are not an area I know much about.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Lance Niekro, who bounced between Triple-A Fresno and the parent Giants, found himself as an offseason free agent, eventually agreeing to a minor league deal with Houston. While his career is somewhat in flux at the moment, his attitude is strong, part of that due to a call from an Astros clubhouse manager who asked him if he wanted to be assigned uniform number 36 for 2008 spring training. The offer elated Niekro, who eagerly accepted. Number 36, of course, was also worn by his father, the late Joe Niekro, who, when all was said and done, put together a decade or so in Astro rainbow threads that have made him recognized as one of the top pitchers in Astros history.

ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH

One eBay seller may not be too happy when he sees what he had and how comparatively cheap it went, largely due to an authenticator (not affiliated with MEARS) having been negligent with his research.

The item was advertised as what it was: a pair of 1968 game-worn Red Sox flannel pants. However, no player ID was given in the listing, and the authentication letter offered none…apparently because the internet site they checked did not show a #31 (chain-stitched in the waistband) having been on the roster.

As it turns out, there WAS a number 31 on the ’68 Red Sox, but he was a coach , not a player. A quick search of a roster in that year’s Street & Smith’s Yearbook found who wore #31. Not only was it a coach…it was a guy now in the Hall of Fame for his playing prowess…former Bosox star Bobby Doerr. The 80-some dollars the pants sold for wouldn’t be bad for a normal name, but for a HoFer…even as a coach…it was awful low. Two things to consider from this:

1) It shows the lack of effort a small number of authenticators perform when the answer isn’t a well-known website click away.

2) Dave Grob is dead on with his repeated urgings that collectors should attempt to build their own research libraries to keep well-informed (especially when a third-party authenticator can’t apparently be bothered to do so).

Let the games (exhibitions though they may be) begin!!

MORE MLB TRIBUTES TO THE FALLEN

The St. Louis Cardinals wore Kirkwood High School baseball caps to pay tribute to victims of a shooting in another part of the Missouri town back on February 7. The caps, after use, were signed and are now being auctioned on the Cardinals team website with a closing date of March 5th. This in line with the White Sox doing the same with the Northern Illinois University caps the team wore this past Wednesday and are to be auctioned on the White Sox team website.

The other team in the Windy City…the internationally loved Cubs…are also entering the NIU Tribute sweepstakes. In addition to a sizeable donation to the school’s fund for the victim’s families, the Cubs will fly a rooftop flag with the NIU logo for all home games in 2008. This will appear on the Wrigley Field rooftops, where now exists retired flag, Cubs greats, and first-place finish flags. You can figure a few of them to fly during the season, with the wear and tear whipping in the wind and other weather-related wear produces. These would look to draw spirited bidding if the Cubs put them up for auction, either at the 2009 Cub Convention or earlier via the Cubs website or www.mlb.com/auctions.

HAWAII WARRIORS SHORT-LIVED GAMERS

An eBay dealer recently auctioned a pair of college football jerseys that didn’t last long. The Hawaii Warriors, in 2005, wore, for 3 road games, jerseys with silver numbers. After the third usage, the Warriors, being pelted with complaints from press box denizens who couldn’t read the jersey numbers, retired the style.

BEWARE BIG HURT GLOVES CIRCA 1994

If it ever seems like there’s a lot of “game-used” Frank Thomas 1B mitts floating around, there’s a reason, and it isn’t one to benefit honest collectors.

Circa 1994, Thomas mitts with evident wear were popping up in unusually large numbers. The majority, however, bore simulated, and not real game use. Two of the guys eventually charged and convicted in Operation Bullpen teamed up for this illicit work. One of them worked for the White Sox at the time as a security guard, and he was making off with Thomas mitts that the team had ordered in quantity for charity auction donations. Once in his auspices, he and his brother would go to the local park and “have a catch” together, with their catch-playing efforts resulting in producing simulated “game-used” gloves, with the Big Hurt never once having actually used them. People with expert level knowledge of fielding gloves, such as Joe Phillips or Denny Esken, could likely provide additional background on this, as gloves are not an area I know much about.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Lance Niekro, who bounced between Triple-A Fresno and the parent Giants, found himself as an offseason free agent, eventually agreeing to a minor league deal with Houston. While his career is somewhat in flux at the moment, his attitude is strong, part of that due to a call from an Astros clubhouse manager who asked him if he wanted to be assigned uniform number 36 for 2008 spring training. The offer elated Niekro, who eagerly accepted. Number 36, of course, was also worn by his father, the late Joe Niekro, who, when all was said and done, put together a decade or so in Astro rainbow threads that have made him recognized as one of the top pitchers in Astros history.

ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH

One eBay seller may not be too happy when he sees what he had and how comparatively cheap it went, largely due to an authenticator (not affiliated with MEARS) having been negligent with his research.

The item was advertised as what it was: a pair of 1968 game-worn Red Sox flannel pants. However, no player ID was given in the listing, and the authentication letter offered none…apparently because the internet site they checked did not show a #31 (chain-stitched in the waistband) having been on the roster.

As it turns out, there WAS a number 31 on the ’68 Red Sox, but he was a coach , not a player. A quick search of a roster in that year’s Street & Smith’s Yearbook found who wore #31. Not only was it a coach…it was a guy now in the Hall of Fame for his playing prowess…former Bosox star Bobby Doerr. The 80-some dollars the pants sold for wouldn’t be bad for a normal name, but for a HoFer…even as a coach…it was awful low. Two things to consider from this:

1) It shows the lack of effort a small number of authenticators perform when the answer isn’t a well-known website click away.

2) Dave Grob is dead on with his repeated urgings that collectors should attempt to build their own research libraries to keep well-informed (especially when a third-party authenticator can’t apparently be bothered to do so).

Let the games (exhibitions though they may be) begin!!

HANK AARON KNITS

The legendary home run slugger only wore knit jerseys for five seasons (1972-74 Braves, 1975-76 Brewers). Multiple manufacturers and styles contributed to those five years, and, yes, there are forgeries to deal with as well. Here’s a rundown as to what to look for in Hammerin’ Hank’s double-knit attire.

1972: Sand-Knit produced both styles (home and road) that year. Jerseys had collar tagging with exclusive label, manufacturer’s tag, and a felt strip tag with name, year and set chain-stitched in. Jerseys are pullovers, with two buttons close together at the collar front.

1973: Wilson made the homes, Sand-Knit did the roads, as they were soon to lose their deal with the Braves…their grade of fabric used in the Braves shirts was inferior, given to shrinkage and staining. The roads had a round collar, while the homes had a V-neck. Wilson tagged these with a chain-stitched box tag denoting the year in the tail.

1974: Wilson made all Atlanta uniforms, all V-neck, all with collar strip tagging bearing year and size, and sometimes set numbers. Aaron had at least three sets that year, as a set 3 gamer exists somewhere in the hobby that I owned over a decade ago.

1975: Wilson made the home, V-neck Brewer pullovers, and Sand-Knit, now using better quality fabric, made the road powder blues. Homes had a tail strip tag with a chain stitched jersey number and year shown. Roads had the Exclusive and Sand-Knit tags, along with a strip tag with a screened on year, name, and size in a similar blue to the jersey itself. Around 1979, the road blues did go to a white strip tag, but any jerseys of Aaron with one are questionable, at best. Beware of McAuliffe 1975 homes, as they were never worn…team name and numeric font are noticeably different than those used by Wilson.

1976: Sand-Knit is the predominant supplier of both styles, although Wilson did supply some home unies, as well, including at least one Aaron. The Wilsons have a chain-stitched box tag in the collar noting the year, while the Sand-Knits of both types were tagged like the 1975s, with a white strip tag on the homes and a powder blue tag on the roads.

DIFFERENT TYPE OF MEMORIAM, PART 1

NFL teams have been eulogizing fallen teammates and organizational employees for years, mainly through patches (front and sleeve) and helmet decals. I just saw, however, a new version of tribute…a black armband, popular in baseball, but very unusual in football.

The team was the 1971 Detroit Lions, and the player was receiver Chuck Hughes, who collapsed and died on the field during a game against the Bears. The Lions wore a thick black armband on the left sleeve, sized similarly to and covering the blue center stripe on the sleeve. The Lions, at the time, used durene Sand-Knit gamers.

DIFFERENT TYPE OF MEMORIAM, PART 2

The Chicago White Sox are following the lead of the Bulls and Blackhawks in honoring the students killed on campus at Northern Illinois recently.

The Chisox will wear Northern Illinois caps for their spring training opener on February 27th against Colorado. After the game, the players will sign their caps and turn them over to NIU, with the university auctioing them off to benefit the February 14th Student Scholarship Fund. Fiev scholarships will be given out by the fund in memory of the five victims of the shooting.

FULL-SQUAD WORKOUTS! It’s gettin better every week!

HANK AARON KNITS

The legendary home run slugger only wore knit jerseys for five seasons (1972-74 Braves, 1975-76 Brewers). Multiple manufacturers and styles contributed to those five years, and, yes, there are forgeries to deal with as well. Here’s a rundown as to what to look for in Hammerin’ Hank’s double-knit attire.

1972: Sand-Knit produced both styles (home and road) that year. Jerseys had collar tagging with exclusive label, manufacturer’s tag, and a felt strip tag with name, year and set chain-stitched in. Jerseys are pullovers, with two buttons close together at the collar front.

1973: Wilson made the homes, Sand-Knit did the roads, as they were soon to lose their deal with the Braves…their grade of fabric used in the Braves shirts was inferior, given to shrinkage and staining. The roads had a round collar, while the homes had a V-neck. Wilson tagged these with a chain-stitched box tag denoting the year in the tail.

1974: Wilson made all Atlanta uniforms, all V-neck, all with collar strip tagging bearing year and size, and sometimes set numbers. Aaron had at least three sets that year, as a set 3 gamer exists somewhere in the hobby that I owned over a decade ago.

1975: Wilson made the home, V-neck Brewer pullovers, and Sand-Knit, now using better quality fabric, made the road powder blues. Homes had a tail strip tag with a chain stitched jersey number and year shown. Roads had the Exclusive and Sand-Knit tags, along with a strip tag with a screened on year, name, and size in a similar blue to the jersey itself. Around 1979, the road blues did go to a white strip tag, but any jerseys of Aaron with one are questionable, at best. Beware of McAuliffe 1975 homes, as they were never worn…team name and numeric font are noticeably different than those used by Wilson.

1976: Sand-Knit is the predominant supplier of both styles, although Wilson did supply some home unies, as well, including at least one Aaron. The Wilsons have a chain-stitched box tag in the collar noting the year, while the Sand-Knits of both types were tagged like the 1975s, with a white strip tag on the homes and a powder blue tag on the roads.

DIFFERENT TYPE OF MEMORIAM, PART 1

NFL teams have been eulogizing fallen teammates and organizational employees for years, mainly through patches (front and sleeve) and helmet decals. I just saw, however, a new version of tribute…a black armband, popular in baseball, but very unusual in football.

The team was the 1971 Detroit Lions, and the player was receiver Chuck Hughes, who collapsed and died on the field during a game against the Bears. The Lions wore a thick black armband on the left sleeve, sized similarly to and covering the blue center stripe on the sleeve. The Lions, at the time, used durene Sand-Knit gamers.

DIFFERENT TYPE OF MEMORIAM, PART 2

The Chicago White Sox are following the lead of the Bulls and Blackhawks in honoring the students killed on campus at Northern Illinois recently.

The Chisox will wear Northern Illinois caps for their spring training opener on February 27th against Colorado. After the game, the players will sign their caps and turn them over to NIU, with the university auctioing them off to benefit the February 14th Student Scholarship Fund. Fiev scholarships will be given out by the fund in memory of the five victims of the shooting.

FULL-SQUAD WORKOUTS! It’s gettin better every week!

It is not too unusual to see older jerseys used by players in a given year or recycled from year to year in any of the big three sports leagues. Certain teams and genres, however, are notably prone to these practices. The Shirt will review a dozen such teams/years that will be more frequently encountered than usual that fall under this category.

1975-77 Cleveland Indians

The Tribe was a low-budget franchise at the time. They DID have hot water in the showers, working whirlpools, and didn’t travel on the road by bus, but they DID get a lot of mileage out of their unies. One can find 1975 gamers (no tail year tag) and 1976 game shirts (Bicentennial patch on right sleeve) being used one and even two seasons later.

1976-78 Chicago White Sox

This was ownership term #2 for Bill Veeck, creative, fan-focused, but short on bucks. Most of the team’s 1976 game jerseys were sans flag tag, while 1977’s and ’78s had them. Still, the tagless ’76s can be found recycled all the way to 1979 spring training, the Rawlings version’s last hurrah, followed by the Capital Ace version of 1979-81.

1977-79 Seattle Mariners

Particularly on the home Wilson styles, I’ve seen 1977 regular season gamers with the 1979 All-Star Game patch on the left sleeve.

1974/1976 Mets home

Mets recycling is minimal, but twice in the last 4 months I have seen 1974 gamers pulled out of storage for 1976 newcomers, with modification added in the form of the NL Centennial patch (right) and the Joan Payson/Casey Stengel memoriam band (left).

1998-99 Arizona Diamondbacks

Sam Kiser, a collector and D-Backs employee, informed me years ago that a lot of ’98s were recycled on the big league level for 1999, with the left sleeve patch changed from the Inaugural Year D-Back logo to the standard version. I have since reviewed for MEARS a home 1998 Luis Gonzalez that had the team-performed patch switch done.

1970s/early 1980s Minnesota Twins

Of the era’s low budget owners, none was tighter with the wallet than Calvin Griffith of the Twins. Jerseys from these years were routinely used for more than one season, and often had number and name changes, sometimes obvious due to the font of the numerals. I recall seeing the visiting equipment man picking up the 1983 Twins jerseys that made the trip to Comiskey Park from outside laundering…one of the jerseys had a 1978 year tag.

1970-71 Cleveland Indians

It’s tough to find a 1970 Tribe gamer (home Wilson or road Spalding) with the 3-D front lettering intact and original. Most had the fancy front replaced for 1971 wear, when a simple navy blue INDIANS (home) or CLEVELAND (road) replaced the 3-D version of those words used on the ’70 gamers.

1966-68 White Sox jerseys

Since Wilson was the home supplier for all three seasons, the MLB-level recycling isn’t as dramatic. Road powder blues are another story, however. MacGregor supplied the roads in 1966-67, and Wilson did the honors in ’68. A lot of 1967 MacGregor roads were also used in ’68, as evident if the Illinois Sesquicentennial patch, worn in 1968, has been added. Even stranger: a 1967 White Sox road worn by Rocky Colavito from the collection of the late Dr. John Goldberg, year tagged 1966, and with the entire front script changed for ’67 use, from a block, arched CHICAGO to the cursive Chicago with WHITE SOX embroidered in white on the underslash.

2004-05 St. Louis Rams

It seems there are quite a few 2004 Rams gamers that were worn in 2005. A 2004 jersey not recycled for the following year should still have the 10th Anniversary St. Louis Rams patch.

2001-2002 Reebok NFL

A lot of recycling went on with most NFL teams went on with the 2001 Reebok gamers, the first season that reebok made almost everybody’s uniforms (with a handful of teams still using Adidas). A 2001 Reebok jersey has the large tag in the tail (assuming the tail wasn’t shortened) with the image of the specific team’s helmet as the centerpiece of the design. The jerseys broken out or re-used for 2002 will have the new NFL neck shield logo on them…the original version was last used in 2001.

2004-05 Baltimore Ravens alternates

One auction I perused about a year ago had about a dozen of these black Ravens gamers. At least half were 2004 year tagged, and worn in 2005 with the 10th nAnniversary Ravens patch added.

1992-93 Dallas Cowboys

Russell was the team’s uniform source in 1992, with Apex taking over in 1993. Not unusual are ’92 Russells recycled with the triangular Apex sleeve logo added in 1993.

ANOTHER 1989 GAMER WITH 1990 RAWLINGS LABEL

Ebay recently featured a set 2 1989 flag tagged Padres road gamer of Fred Lynn, worn by the 1975 MVP in 1990. The Rawlins tag was the 1990-91 style (three lines of laundry instructions) rather than the 1988-89 tag (four lines of laundry instructions). A handful of legitimate 1989 tagged jerseys have shown up with the 1990-91 tag. The potential stumbling block on this disparate tag pairing is that most, if not all, the 1989 tagged Score Board retail jerseys have the ’90-’91 tag, as well, causing confusion among less astute collectors and routinely getting past at least one nationally known authenticator. This pairing can and does legitimately happen, but only on rare occasions.

OBITUARIES

In the NFL, two older players are no longer with us. Ken Konz, a member of the Browns from 1953-59, died February 5 in suburban Cleveland. He was 79.

On February 1, Al De Mao, a two-way player (C-MLB) for the Redskins from 1945-53, died of pneumonia in Glen Burnie, MD at age 87.

In MLB, Dario Lodigiani, a member of the 1938-40 Philadelphia A’s as well as the 1941-42 and ’46 White Sox, died at age 91 in Napa, CA. He spent much of his post-playing careers as a scout for the Chisox.

It is agreed that any jerseys, caps or helmets worn by any of these three would be a major addition to mo0st collections. Focusin on gumcards, here’s much of what out there on the trio:

Konz: 1955 Bowman, 1956-59 Topps

De Mao: 1950-51 Bowman

Lodigiani: 1941 Big League Gum, 1946 Play Ball (contemporary fantasy set), multiple late 1940s PCL sets

Pitchers and catchers have reported…the world will soon be right again.

It is not too unusual to see older jerseys used by players in a given year or recycled from year to year in any of the big three sports leagues. Certain teams and genres, however, are notably prone to these practices. The Shirt will review a dozen such teams/years that will be more frequently encountered than usual that fall under this category.

1975-77 Cleveland Indians

The Tribe was a low-budget franchise at the time. They DID have hot water in the showers, working whirlpools, and didn’t travel on the road by bus, but they DID get a lot of mileage out of their unies. One can find 1975 gamers (no tail year tag) and 1976 game shirts (Bicentennial patch on right sleeve) being used one and even two seasons later.

1976-78 Chicago White Sox

This was ownership term #2 for Bill Veeck, creative, fan-focused, but short on bucks. Most of the team’s 1976 game jerseys were sans flag tag, while 1977’s and ’78s had them. Still, the tagless ’76s can be found recycled all the way to 1979 spring training, the Rawlings version’s last hurrah, followed by the Capital Ace version of 1979-81.

1977-79 Seattle Mariners

Particularly on the home Wilson styles, I’ve seen 1977 regular season gamers with the 1979 All-Star Game patch on the left sleeve.

1974/1976 Mets home

Mets recycling is minimal, but twice in the last 4 months I have seen 1974 gamers pulled out of storage for 1976 newcomers, with modification added in the form of the NL Centennial patch (right) and the Joan Payson/Casey Stengel memoriam band (left).

1998-99 Arizona Diamondbacks

Sam Kiser, a collector and D-Backs employee, informed me years ago that a lot of ’98s were recycled on the big league level for 1999, with the left sleeve patch changed from the Inaugural Year D-Back logo to the standard version. I have since reviewed for MEARS a home 1998 Luis Gonzalez that had the team-performed patch switch done.

1970s/early 1980s Minnesota Twins

Of the era’s low budget owners, none was tighter with the wallet than Calvin Griffith of the Twins. Jerseys from these years were routinely used for more than one season, and often had number and name changes, sometimes obvious due to the font of the numerals. I recall seeing the visiting equipment man picking up the 1983 Twins jerseys that made the trip to Comiskey Park from outside laundering…one of the jerseys had a 1978 year tag.

1970-71 Cleveland Indians

It’s tough to find a 1970 Tribe gamer (home Wilson or road Spalding) with the 3-D front lettering intact and original. Most had the fancy front replaced for 1971 wear, when a simple navy blue INDIANS (home) or CLEVELAND (road) replaced the 3-D version of those words used on the ’70 gamers.

1966-68 White Sox jerseys

Since Wilson was the home supplier for all three seasons, the MLB-level recycling isn’t as dramatic. Road powder blues are another story, however. MacGregor supplied the roads in 1966-67, and Wilson did the honors in ’68. A lot of 1967 MacGregor roads were also used in ’68, as evident if the Illinois Sesquicentennial patch, worn in 1968, has been added. Even stranger: a 1967 White Sox road worn by Rocky Colavito from the collection of the late Dr. John Goldberg, year tagged 1966, and with the entire front script changed for ’67 use, from a block, arched CHICAGO to the cursive Chicago with WHITE SOX embroidered in white on the underslash.

2004-05 St. Louis Rams

It seems there are quite a few 2004 Rams gamers that were worn in 2005. A 2004 jersey not recycled for the following year should still have the 10th Anniversary St. Louis Rams patch.

2001-2002 Reebok NFL

A lot of recycling went on with most NFL teams went on with the 2001 Reebok gamers, the first season that reebok made almost everybody’s uniforms (with a handful of teams still using Adidas). A 2001 Reebok jersey has the large tag in the tail (assuming the tail wasn’t shortened) with the image of the specific team’s helmet as the centerpiece of the design. The jerseys broken out or re-used for 2002 will have the new NFL neck shield logo on them…the original version was last used in 2001.

2004-05 Baltimore Ravens alternates

One auction I perused about a year ago had about a dozen of these black Ravens gamers. At least half were 2004 year tagged, and worn in 2005 with the 10th nAnniversary Ravens patch added.

1992-93 Dallas Cowboys

Russell was the team’s uniform source in 1992, with Apex taking over in 1993. Not unusual are ’92 Russells recycled with the triangular Apex sleeve logo added in 1993.

ANOTHER 1989 GAMER WITH 1990 RAWLINGS LABEL

Ebay recently featured a set 2 1989 flag tagged Padres road gamer of Fred Lynn, worn by the 1975 MVP in 1990. The Rawlins tag was the 1990-91 style (three lines of laundry instructions) rather than the 1988-89 tag (four lines of laundry instructions). A handful of legitimate 1989 tagged jerseys have shown up with the 1990-91 tag. The potential stumbling block on this disparate tag pairing is that most, if not all, the 1989 tagged Score Board retail jerseys have the ’90-’91 tag, as well, causing confusion among less astute collectors and routinely getting past at least one nationally known authenticator. This pairing can and does legitimately happen, but only on rare occasions.

OBITUARIES

In the NFL, two older players are no longer with us. Ken Konz, a member of the Browns from 1953-59, died February 5 in suburban Cleveland. He was 79.

On February 1, Al De Mao, a two-way player (C-MLB) for the Redskins from 1945-53, died of pneumonia in Glen Burnie, MD at age 87.

In MLB, Dario Lodigiani, a member of the 1938-40 Philadelphia A’s as well as the 1941-42 and ’46 White Sox, died at age 91 in Napa, CA. He spent much of his post-playing careers as a scout for the Chisox.

It is agreed that any jerseys, caps or helmets worn by any of these three would be a major addition to mo0st collections. Focusin on gumcards, here’s much of what out there on the trio:

Konz: 1955 Bowman, 1956-59 Topps

De Mao: 1950-51 Bowman

Lodigiani: 1941 Big League Gum, 1946 Play Ball (contemporary fantasy set), multiple late 1940s PCL sets

Pitchers and catchers have reported…the world will soon be right again.

WHAT IS IT, EXACTLY?

One item recently auctioned begs some questions, not so much of the “is it game-worn?” type as “what did the team get this for?” theme. A 1973 Red Sox road flannel of Bob Veale was recently auctioned with good and bad points. Among the good:

-Correct 1973-style McAuliffe tags

-Proper sizing (52…appropriate for the 6-6, 215 lb. ex-Pirate)

-Front and back letters and numbers consistent with early 1970’s Red Sox flannels

Unfortunately, one flaw tends to negate the plusses, that being that the Red Sox switched to knits in mid-1972, and kept them in ’73. Veale can be seen in a road pullover Bosox knit on his 1973 Topps card, which carries a late 1972 photo (the background reflects a major league stadium, not a spring training outpost.

I don’t fault the seller on this, as he doesn’t profess to be a jersey expert, and acquired a collection which he has been slowly putting up for bids. For other items, he has been quite meticulous in noting changes, restorations, and other cosmetic flaws on his items when they exist. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that there was some intended purpose for this piece. It wouldn’t be a salesman’s sample, as the Red Sox were not wearing flannels by then. Unfortunately, the exact purpose of a correctly sized, properly tagged flannel that is of the incorrect fabric is a mystery that may never be solved.

PATCH LOCATION VARIATIONS:

A thread on another site discussed the jersey Deion Sanders wore against the Bears in the 1994 NFC playoffs, unusual because the NFL 75th Anniversary patch was absent from the Neon One’s gamer (something I recall from watching the game on TV at the time. It bears mention that logo and commemorative patches can, on occasion, appear on different sleeves in the same season.

The Oakland A’s, for example, had a Liberty Bell-motif Bi-Centennial patch on their pullover knits, normally situated on the left sleeve. Check photos from cards, Getty, etc. of Vida Blue, however, and you’ll see Vida wearing the bell on the right sleeve, not the left.

Also occasionally placed on the unusual right sleeve, rather than the standard left sleeve, is the 1975-76 Massachusetts BiCentennial patch. The 1977 Topps card of hurler Tom House shows the future pitching guru in spring training (presumably ’76) with the red, round 200-year patch on the right. Even with logo patches, this may happen on rare occasions.The 1962 Cubs added the “cute” bear head to the sleeve, again the left. A few players, however, wore the Cub head on the right (see 1963 Topps card of Bob Will).

The 1997-2002 Cubs BP jerseys, which were the first for any team to exhibit the National League logo, normally placed the NL emblem on the right. A few were made…and worn…with the NL logo on the left. I even currently own a c.2000 Cubs BP of Glenallen Hill in which the patch was on the left, but was removed and added to the right.

Are there others we can document? If you know of them, and can supply a photo, send an email to me at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com for inclusion in a future Shirt.

OBITUARIES:

John Grimsley, a LB who spent 7 years with the Houston Oilers, followed by three with Miami, died from an accident while cleaning his gun earlier this week. He was 45. Grimsley earned one All-Pro selection, and was part of the AFC squad in the 1988 Pro Bowl. An old Russell powder blue Oilers gamer would be the best of what may be out there in regards to his game-worn items.

Also, the Kansas State basketball team is wearing a VS memoriam patch (black, round, white letters) in hnor of player Clent Stewart’s mother, Vanessa, who died this past Tuesday of bone cancer.

AND REMEMBER:

Wilson did not use ProLine tags in team-issued, game-worn 1990s NFL jerseys…a fact savvy collectors know, but which several eBay sellers either don’t know or don’t care about. Caveat Emptor…let the buyer beware.

WHAT IS IT, EXACTLY?

One item recently auctioned begs some questions, not so much of the “is it game-worn?” type as “what did the team get this for?” theme. A 1973 Red Sox road flannel of Bob Veale was recently auctioned with good and bad points. Among the good:

-Correct 1973-style McAuliffe tags

-Proper sizing (52…appropriate for the 6-6, 215 lb. ex-Pirate)

-Front and back letters and numbers consistent with early 1970’s Red Sox flannels

Unfortunately, one flaw tends to negate the plusses, that being that the Red Sox switched to knits in mid-1972, and kept them in ’73. Veale can be seen in a road pullover Bosox knit on his 1973 Topps card, which carries a late 1972 photo (the background reflects a major league stadium, not a spring training outpost.

I don’t fault the seller on this, as he doesn’t profess to be a jersey expert, and acquired a collection which he has been slowly putting up for bids. For other items, he has been quite meticulous in noting changes, restorations, and other cosmetic flaws on his items when they exist. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that there was some intended purpose for this piece. It wouldn’t be a salesman’s sample, as the Red Sox were not wearing flannels by then. Unfortunately, the exact purpose of a correctly sized, properly tagged flannel that is of the incorrect fabric is a mystery that may never be solved.

PATCH LOCATION VARIATIONS:

A thread on another site discussed the jersey Deion Sanders wore against the Bears in the 1994 NFC playoffs, unusual because the NFL 75th Anniversary patch was absent from the Neon One’s gamer (something I recall from watching the game on TV at the time. It bears mention that logo and commemorative patches can, on occasion, appear on different sleeves in the same season.

The Oakland A’s, for example, had a Liberty Bell-motif Bi-Centennial patch on their pullover knits, normally situated on the left sleeve. Check photos from cards, Getty, etc. of Vida Blue, however, and you’ll see Vida wearing the bell on the right sleeve, not the left.

Also occasionally placed on the unusual right sleeve, rather than the standard left sleeve, is the 1975-76 Massachusetts BiCentennial patch. The 1977 Topps card of hurler Tom House shows the future pitching guru in spring training (presumably ’76) with the red, round 200-year patch on the right. Even with logo patches, this may happen on rare occasions.The 1962 Cubs added the “cute” bear head to the sleeve, again the left. A few players, however, wore the Cub head on the right (see 1963 Topps card of Bob Will).

The 1997-2002 Cubs BP jerseys, which were the first for any team to exhibit the National League logo, normally placed the NL emblem on the right. A few were made…and worn…with the NL logo on the left. I even currently own a c.2000 Cubs BP of Glenallen Hill in which the patch was on the left, but was removed and added to the right.

Are there others we can document? If you know of them, and can supply a photo, send an email to me at sox83cubs84@hotmail.com for inclusion in a future Shirt.

OBITUARIES:

John Grimsley, a LB who spent 7 years with the Houston Oilers, followed by three with Miami, died from an accident while cleaning his gun earlier this week. He was 45. Grimsley earned one All-Pro selection, and was part of the AFC squad in the 1988 Pro Bowl. An old Russell powder blue Oilers gamer would be the best of what may be out there in regards to his game-worn items.

Also, the Kansas State basketball team is wearing a VS memoriam patch (black, round, white letters) in hnor of player Clent Stewart’s mother, Vanessa, who died this past Tuesday of bone cancer.

AND REMEMBER:

Wilson did not use ProLine tags in team-issued, game-worn 1990s NFL jerseys…a fact savvy collectors know, but which several eBay sellers either don’t know or don’t care about. Caveat Emptor…let the buyer beware.

YANKEES ACE TO SELL MEMORABILIA

Many of us have seen the ads in SCD where Whitey Ford made available to collectors autographed photos of him with Yankee greats which he had the foresight to get years ago. Now, more personal items are being made available to collectors by the Hall of Famer.

Some absolutely knockout pieces will be put for auction by Ford at the All-Star Fanfest in July. Among the prime items: Lou Gehrig’s warmup jacket worn at the end of his iron man streak; the 1928 World Series ring belonging to Tony “Poosh ‘Em Up” Lazzeri; and Ford’s own 1961 World Series MVP award. Ford allowed only 6 hits and zero runs in his Game 1 and Game 4 starts against the Reds. Great stuff on the auction block, for those who can afford these gems.

FUNNY WHAT SHOWS UP ON WIRE PHOTOS

A question: What uniform number did Cardinals pitcher Mort Cooper wear in 1942?
An answer: www.baseball-almanac.com lists him as #13, which is correct. However, don’t forget 14…or 15…or every other number up to and including at least 20. A wire photo on eBay that I bid on (and lost), showed a post-game dugout photo showing the MLB Cooper brothers, including Mort and catcher Walker Cooper, plus a third brother on leave from the military. The military Cooper is pointing at the #20 on Mort’s jersey. The photo was taken after Mort’s 20th win.

According to the news bureau write-up attached to the back of the photo, After his 13th win, Mort began changing his jersey number to reflect the win number he was trying for that start. He wore 14 until he got his 14th victory, then switched to 15 until he notched his 15th “W”, and so on, all the way up to 20. No word on whether he changed again for win numbers 21 and 22.

A DIFFERENT TYPE OF THEME JERSEY

Also seen on the Bay: a different type of theme jersey worn twice in October, 2005 by the minor league Phoenix Roadrunners hockey club. I’ve seen military jerseys, 4th of July, Mothers’ Day, Tie-Dye, NASCAR and plenty of others, but not one like this. The purple sweaters were a tribute to the NBA Phoenix Suns, basically a hockey version of the Suns’ purple unies. I’ve seen minor league baseball teams use theme jerseys modeled after their parent clubs, but never a hockey team showing love to a basketball club.

OBITUARY:

Mike Holovak a 3-year NFL player with the Rams and Bears from 1946-48 (and wouldn’t you LOVE to have one of those gamers), then, later, a Boston Patriots coach and front office official for the Pats, Oilers, and Titans, died January 27th. A fullback out of Boston College, Holovak ran for the 1946 Rams and the ’47-’48 Bears. He coached the AFL Patriots to 50 wins, second on the Pats’ all-time list to some guy I never heard of…his name’s Bellychuck, or Billycheek, or something like that.

YANKEES ACE TO SELL MEMORABILIA

Many of us have seen the ads in SCD where Whitey Ford made available to collectors autographed photos of him with Yankee greats which he had the foresight to get years ago. Now, more personal items are being made available to collectors by the Hall of Famer.

Some absolutely knockout pieces will be put for auction by Ford at the All-Star Fanfest in July. Among the prime items: Lou Gehrig’s warmup jacket worn at the end of his iron man streak; the 1928 World Series ring belonging to Tony “Poosh ‘Em Up” Lazzeri; and Ford’s own 1961 World Series MVP award. Ford allowed only 6 hits and zero runs in his Game 1 and Game 4 starts against the Reds. Great stuff on the auction block, for those who can afford these gems.

FUNNY WHAT SHOWS UP ON WIRE PHOTOS

A question: What uniform number did Cardinals pitcher Mort Cooper wear in 1942?
An answer: www.baseball-almanac.com lists him as #13, which is correct. However, don’t forget 14…or 15…or every other number up to and including at least 20. A wire photo on eBay that I bid on (and lost), showed a post-game dugout photo showing the MLB Cooper brothers, including Mort and catcher Walker Cooper, plus a third brother on leave from the military. The military Cooper is pointing at the #20 on Mort’s jersey. The photo was taken after Mort’s 20th win.

According to the news bureau write-up attached to the back of the photo, After his 13th win, Mort began changing his jersey number to reflect the win number he was trying for that start. He wore 14 until he got his 14th victory, then switched to 15 until he notched his 15th “W”, and so on, all the way up to 20. No word on whether he changed again for win numbers 21 and 22.

A DIFFERENT TYPE OF THEME JERSEY

Also seen on the Bay: a different type of theme jersey worn twice in October, 2005 by the minor league Phoenix Roadrunners hockey club. I’ve seen military jerseys, 4th of July, Mothers’ Day, Tie-Dye, NASCAR and plenty of others, but not one like this. The purple sweaters were a tribute to the NBA Phoenix Suns, basically a hockey version of the Suns’ purple unies. I’ve seen minor league baseball teams use theme jerseys modeled after their parent clubs, but never a hockey team showing love to a basketball club.

OBITUARY:

Mike Holovak a 3-year NFL player with the Rams and Bears from 1946-48 (and wouldn’t you LOVE to have one of those gamers), then, later, a Boston Patriots coach and front office official for the Pats, Oilers, and Titans, died January 27th. A fullback out of Boston College, Holovak ran for the 1946 Rams and the ’47-’48 Bears. He coached the AFL Patriots to 50 wins, second on the Pats’ all-time list to some guy I never heard of…his name’s Bellychuck, or Billycheek, or something like that.

Some intriguing oddities surfaced on eBay this past week…let’s begin by taking a peek at three of ’em.

UNWORN GAME ISSUED STYLE:

The Cubs recently completed their Fan Convention, and a few curious jerseys were offered for sale, though only as game-issued. It has been written on MEARS Online that former team president John McDonough (he of the “I don’t have time now” statement every time I’ve tried to ask about park policies) decreed that the Cubs would not wear blue alternate game jerseys in 2007 (his sole year as president, as he’s now in the front office of the NHL Blackhawks). That didn’t stop the team from ORDERING them, though, and a couple dozen or so were sold at the Cubs show.

A LOOONG TIME TO KEEP A JERSEY AROUND:

The NFL often uses jerseys from a previous season in a given year for a variety of reasons, but a DECADE old? That was the case with longtime collector and gentleman Jim Papaycik. He had a durene road Browns jersey used by RB Boyce Green during his three years with the Browns (1983-85). The jersey had a NOB change, and a look at the Sand-Knit tagging indicates early 1970’s issuance. Despite the long period of time between initial and subsequent jersey, it’s still a great piece, as durene jerseys were only worn by a handful of teams in the 1980s, the Browns being one of them.

FOOTBALL TAG ON MLB BP JERSEY:

A second example of a Russell NFL tag being affixed to a MLB jersey surfaced, in the form of a 1992-95 Yankees BP shirt of Don Mattingly. This jersey has Steiner provenance, as did the first one reported, a Yankee’s road gamer from around 1994 of pitching coach Billy Connors.

TRIBUTE TO SEAN:

Sean Taylor of the Redskins was posthumously selected to the NFL Pro Bowl team a week or so after he was murdered in his Florida home, a situation not seen since NHL goalie Pelle Lindbergh was voted in after he died in a car accident. Two of his teammate who will play in the Pro Bowl, TE Chris Cooley and OT Chris Samuels, will wear #21 (Taylor’s number) on their Pro Bowl jerseys, instead of their respective #’s 47 and 60. Their jerseys will be auctioned after the game, with proceeds going to the Sean Taylor Memorial Trust Fund, which has been established for daughter Jackie’s college education.

RANGERS RETIRE 5TH NUMBER, #6 ANNOUNCED:

Earlier this week, the New York Rangers held a ceremony to retire sweater #2 worn by Brian Leetch. When Leetch spoke to the crowd, he bore more good news, that being the Rangers plans to retire the #9 jersey of good friend and teammate Adam Graves next season, something Graves didn’t even know about.

TWO BITS OF TRIVIA:

Q: What was unique bout White Sox slugger Carlos May’s 1969-70 and 1976 jerseys?
A: As it happens, he wore his birth date on the back, in the form of his NOB (MAY) and his number (17).

Q: What was unique about Brandon Roy’s 2006-07 Trailblazers gamers?

A: He was the first player in any of the three major sports (MLB, NFL, NBA) to wear a jersey on which the NOB is identical to an acronym for a postseason award he was eligible for (ROY=Rookie of the Year).

Enjoy the hobby…it’s way better than getting dragged out by the wife to shop for her shoes.

Some intriguing oddities surfaced on eBay this past week…let’s begin by taking a peek at three of ’em.

UNWORN GAME ISSUED STYLE:

The Cubs recently completed their Fan Convention, and a few curious jerseys were offered for sale, though only as game-issued. It has been written on MEARS Online that former team president John McDonough (he of the “I don’t have time now” statement every time I’ve tried to ask about park policies) decreed that the Cubs would not wear blue alternate game jerseys in 2007 (his sole year as president, as he’s now in the front office of the NHL Blackhawks). That didn’t stop the team from ORDERING them, though, and a couple dozen or so were sold at the Cubs show.

A LOOONG TIME TO KEEP A JERSEY AROUND:

The NFL often uses jerseys from a previous season in a given year for a variety of reasons, but a DECADE old? That was the case with longtime collector and gentleman Jim Papaycik. He had a durene road Browns jersey used by RB Boyce Green during his three years with the Browns (1983-85). The jersey had a NOB change, and a look at the Sand-Knit tagging indicates early 1970’s issuance. Despite the long period of time between initial and subsequent jersey, it’s still a great piece, as durene jerseys were only worn by a handful of teams in the 1980s, the Browns being one of them.

FOOTBALL TAG ON MLB BP JERSEY:

A second example of a Russell NFL tag being affixed to a MLB jersey surfaced, in the form of a 1992-95 Yankees BP shirt of Don Mattingly. This jersey has Steiner provenance, as did the first one reported, a Yankee’s road gamer from around 1994 of pitching coach Billy Connors.

TRIBUTE TO SEAN:

Sean Taylor of the Redskins was posthumously selected to the NFL Pro Bowl team a week or so after he was murdered in his Florida home, a situation not seen since NHL goalie Pelle Lindbergh was voted in after he died in a car accident. Two of his teammate who will play in the Pro Bowl, TE Chris Cooley and OT Chris Samuels, will wear #21 (Taylor’s number) on their Pro Bowl jerseys, instead of their respective #’s 47 and 60. Their jerseys will be auctioned after the game, with proceeds going to the Sean Taylor Memorial Trust Fund, which has been established for daughter Jackie’s college education.

RANGERS RETIRE 5TH NUMBER, #6 ANNOUNCED:

Earlier this week, the New York Rangers held a ceremony to retire sweater #2 worn by Brian Leetch. When Leetch spoke to the crowd, he bore more good news, that being the Rangers plans to retire the #9 jersey of good friend and teammate Adam Graves next season, something Graves didn’t even know about.

TWO BITS OF TRIVIA:

Q: What was unique bout White Sox slugger Carlos May’s 1969-70 and 1976 jerseys?
A: As it happens, he wore his birth date on the back, in the form of his NOB (MAY) and his number (17).

Q: What was unique about Brandon Roy’s 2006-07 Trailblazers gamers?

A: He was the first player in any of the three major sports (MLB, NFL, NBA) to wear a jersey on which the NOB is identical to an acronym for a postseason award he was eligible for (ROY=Rookie of the Year).

Enjoy the hobby…it’s way better than getting dragged out by the wife to shop for her shoes.

NICKNAMES IN MLB JERSEYS:

Beginning in 1963, and continuing for years, a few free-spirited or otherwise individualistic players wore game jerseys out of the norm, using first names or nicknames instead of the traditional last name. The Kansas City A’s started it off with a knit forerunner fabric by Wilson with both used. one bugaboo with these:

A ROCK jersey exists that has been offered more than once as a Rocky Colavito. Not the case, as a) it isn’t the Rock’s A’s number, b)Colavito was with KC in 1964, not ’63, and c)
photographic evidence on both cards and at least one wire photo show Rocky and his mates wearing 1962 unies in ’64 camp.

Ken Harrelson’s 1969 vests bore his nickname (HAWK) on the back.
Vida Blue, with Oakland, San Francisco and Kansas City, wore far more gamers labeled VIDA than BLUE.

The Topps 1974 card of Billy Conigliaro shows him in a ’73 pullover with the NOB reading BILLY C.

Owner Ted Turner had a plan for 1976: nickname/first name NOBs on the team’s pinstriped homes. Most were legit (Jim Wynn=CANNON, Maxamino Leon=MAX, Dick Ruthven+RUFUS). The whole concept was nixed by then-Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, whose sense of humor was on par with your typical NFL executive (i.e., none). Reason: Turner was going to have Andy Messersmith wear CHANNEL on his #17 shirt, a not-so-subtle attempt at free advertising for one of Turner’s TV properties.

Then, there’s the 1977 Oakland gamers used by Dick Allen, who had WAMPUM (his hometown in Pennsylvania) above his #60.

I saw on eBay a first tonight…a nickname on a strip tag!
The jersey was a Steiner-sourced 1999 Yankees road of Roger Clemens, with a name in tail of ROCKET. Not much of this is happening in recent years…too bad, as collectors, I’m sure, would enjoy having odd jerseys like these when the teams released them.

PATCH NEWS:

All member teams of the NCAA Southeastern Conference will, just like football season, wear SEC 75th Anniversary patches on their basketball tops, as well.

THEFT REPORTED:

Sports Collectors Daily recently reported a memorabilia theft from the Kirkland, Quebec home of former NHLer Sergio Momesso. Thieves broke into Momesso’s home and stole only four items…three of his game-worn sweaters (red Montreal #36; black Vancouver #27; white St. Louis #27 signed by then-teammate Brett Hull), as well as his 1986 Stanley Cup ring. Collectors are advised to contact law enforcement if they are offered these items.

OBITUARIES:

Several former pros left this mortal coil in the past week.

Former Dodger mound star Johnny Podres died Sunday at age 75. He was MVP from the 1955 World Series, and a Brooklyn jersey from that Fall Classic would be as good as it gets on Podres jerseys. Podres also spent close to 2 seasons with Detroit (traded there by Dodgers after only one appearance in ’66), and then, after a year’s retirement, pitched for the first-year Padres.

After several months of failing health, Don Cardwell died at age 72. He is best appreciated by Mets and Cubs fans. He was a mentor as well as a pitcher for the 1969 Miracle Mets (wouldn’t you LOVE to have a ’69 Mets Series gamer of his?) Cubs followers remember his 1960 no-hitter against St. Louis…in his first start with the Cubs after being traded there by the Phillies.

Before those two chronologically, but reported afterwards, was the passing of Steve Ridzik at age 78 due to heart disease. Ridzik was a member of the 1950 Whiz Kid Phillies. Most desirable jersey options: 1950 WS Phillies flannels. Honorable mention: An expansion Senators flannel from his time there in the 1960s.

And finally, from the NFL, Steelers star Ernie Holmes died Thursday from injuries suffered in a one-car auto accident. He was 59. His career spanned 7 years, although 6 of those were with the great Steelers squads in the 1970’s. His final year (1978) was with the Patriots.
Any Sand-Knit Steelers gamer of his would be a great collectible, with the best of them probably being the black Super Bowl shirt with the BiCentennial patch.

For now….farewell.

NICKNAMES IN MLB JERSEYS:

Beginning in 1963, and continuing for years, a few free-spirited or otherwise individualistic players wore game jerseys out of the norm, using first names or nicknames instead of the traditional last name. The Kansas City A’s started it off with a knit forerunner fabric by Wilson with both used. one bugaboo with these:

A ROCK jersey exists that has been offered more than once as a Rocky Colavito. Not the case, as a) it isn’t the Rock’s A’s number, b)Colavito was with KC in 1964, not ’63, and c)
photographic evidence on both cards and at least one wire photo show Rocky and his mates wearing 1962 unies in ’64 camp.

Ken Harrelson’s 1969 vests bore his nickname (HAWK) on the back.
Vida Blue, with Oakland, San Francisco and Kansas City, wore far more gamers labeled VIDA than BLUE.

The Topps 1974 card of Billy Conigliaro shows him in a ’73 pullover with the NOB reading BILLY C.

Owner Ted Turner had a plan for 1976: nickname/first name NOBs on the team’s pinstriped homes. Most were legit (Jim Wynn=CANNON, Maxamino Leon=MAX, Dick Ruthven+RUFUS). The whole concept was nixed by then-Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, whose sense of humor was on par with your typical NFL executive (i.e., none). Reason: Turner was going to have Andy Messersmith wear CHANNEL on his #17 shirt, a not-so-subtle attempt at free advertising for one of Turner’s TV properties.

Then, there’s the 1977 Oakland gamers used by Dick Allen, who had WAMPUM (his hometown in Pennsylvania) above his #60.

I saw on eBay a first tonight…a nickname on a strip tag!
The jersey was a Steiner-sourced 1999 Yankees road of Roger Clemens, with a name in tail of ROCKET. Not much of this is happening in recent years…too bad, as collectors, I’m sure, would enjoy having odd jerseys like these when the teams released them.

PATCH NEWS:

All member teams of the NCAA Southeastern Conference will, just like football season, wear SEC 75th Anniversary patches on their basketball tops, as well.

THEFT REPORTED:

Sports Collectors Daily recently reported a memorabilia theft from the Kirkland, Quebec home of former NHLer Sergio Momesso. Thieves broke into Momesso’s home and stole only four items…three of his game-worn sweaters (red Montreal #36; black Vancouver #27; white St. Louis #27 signed by then-teammate Brett Hull), as well as his 1986 Stanley Cup ring. Collectors are advised to contact law enforcement if they are offered these items.

OBITUARIES:

Several former pros left this mortal coil in the past week.

Former Dodger mound star Johnny Podres died Sunday at age 75. He was MVP from the 1955 World Series, and a Brooklyn jersey from that Fall Classic would be as good as it gets on Podres jerseys. Podres also spent close to 2 seasons with Detroit (traded there by Dodgers after only one appearance in ’66), and then, after a year’s retirement, pitched for the first-year Padres.

After several months of failing health, Don Cardwell died at age 72. He is best appreciated by Mets and Cubs fans. He was a mentor as well as a pitcher for the 1969 Miracle Mets (wouldn’t you LOVE to have a ’69 Mets Series gamer of his?) Cubs followers remember his 1960 no-hitter against St. Louis…in his first start with the Cubs after being traded there by the Phillies.

Before those two chronologically, but reported afterwards, was the passing of Steve Ridzik at age 78 due to heart disease. Ridzik was a member of the 1950 Whiz Kid Phillies. Most desirable jersey options: 1950 WS Phillies flannels. Honorable mention: An expansion Senators flannel from his time there in the 1960s.

And finally, from the NFL, Steelers star Ernie Holmes died Thursday from injuries suffered in a one-car auto accident. He was 59. His career spanned 7 years, although 6 of those were with the great Steelers squads in the 1970’s. His final year (1978) was with the Patriots.
Any Sand-Knit Steelers gamer of his would be a great collectible, with the best of them probably being the black Super Bowl shirt with the BiCentennial patch.

For now….farewell.

CUBS AREN’T ONLY ONES TO REMOVE PATCHES:

When citing the 1994 and 1998 Cubs jerseys for the above practice in my last article, the Wrigleys are not the only ones with dealers selling “all-original” jerseys with replaced patches. One has to watch for the same thing with 1993 Cleveland Indians gamers. The Tribe wore a memoriam patch in 1993 honoring Steve Olin and Tim Crews, the two pitchers killed in a spring training boat crash. I attended an exhibition game involving the Indians in March, 1994. The Indians were wearing their 1993 gamers and every one I saw had the Olin/Crews patch REMOVED. Given that the patches themselves are readily available, restorations are easy…but they’re often not disclosed at sale time. Also, as a follow-up, one CAN find the MLB125 patches intact on 1994 Russell mesh game jerseys (Majestic made the blue, NNOB BP tops) however, the Cubs never wore these blue mesh, NOB-bearing game jerseys at all…they were sold at team sales, but are game-issued, not game-worn.

NHL AUCTION IN LATE JANUARY

The 10th anniversary of Hockey Fights Cancer is this year, and the NHL and MeiGray is giving collectors a chance at a piece of the action. On January 9-11, NHL teams will play games in which team captains will wear a 10th Anniversary Hockey Fights Cancer patch on their sweaters. The gamers will be registered in MeiGray’s authentication program, and will be auctioned on NHL.com and NHLPA.com,com from January 17-31. Good cause, good collectibles.

PUCKETT HAD 1996 GAMERS MADE

Kirby Puckett went to spring camp with the Twins, but his glaucoma found him calling it quits in mid-March…but not before the Twins ordered his ’96 game jerseys, never worn, but there nonetheless. Based on the exemplar I viewed, Kirby Puck had at least 4 sets of home and road (there were no blue nor red alternates until the following year).

AN EXAMPLE OF NBACC

EBay has a 1992-93 Bulls road jersey of Scottie Pippen up for bid until the evening of January 15. The seller, correctly, does not promote it as a game-worn jersey, hedging instead between “game jersey” and “pro-cut”. What we have here is actually a NBA Commemorative Collection jersey, the 1992 limited edition pro-cuts offered at retail which are tagged, and are only discernable from game-used by small features (fonts, extra length, etc.)
In the case of Pippen (and Michael Jordan, also part of this issue), the telltale clues are in the NOB. No five-inch drop on the NOB, and a non-serifed font. These jerseys DO have collectible value…just not in the realm of a game-worn version.

OBITUARIES

In the past week, Chicago fans have lost two of their own.

Gerry Staley former MLB pitcher, died at age 87. Both natural causes and kidney problems were cited in different obits. Staley pitched from 1947-61, but is best remembered for being part of the dynamic duo (along with Turk Lown) in the AL Champion White Sox bullpen. His ’59 home World Series jersey would be the most valuable available. Staley is also remembered by autograph collectors. In the 1980s and 90s, autograph requests mailed to him at his Washington State home would come back to fans with a bonus…a 1950’s Cardinals “Dear Friend” team-issued postcard which he would also sign.

Also, Jim Dooley, an organization man for the Chicago Bears for nearly his entire gridiron life, passed away at age 77 due to complications from ALS. He was a receiver for the Bears from 1952-61, afterwards becoming first an assistant coach and then head coach from 1968-71. His coaching stint wasn’t nearly as pleasant as his active playing time, as the Bears failed to finish above .500 in his four years at the helm, going 7-7, 1-13, 6-8 and 6-8. He eventually returned to the Bears in 1980, resuming as an assistant coach.

That’s all, folks…see you next Sunday.

CUBS AREN’T ONLY ONES TO REMOVE PATCHES:

When citing the 1994 and 1998 Cubs jerseys for the above practice in my last article, the Wrigleys are not the only ones with dealers selling “all-original” jerseys with replaced patches. One has to watch for the same thing with 1993 Cleveland Indians gamers. The Tribe wore a memoriam patch in 1993 honoring Steve Olin and Tim Crews, the two pitchers killed in a spring training boat crash. I attended an exhibition game involving the Indians in March, 1994. The Indians were wearing their 1993 gamers and every one I saw had the Olin/Crews patch REMOVED. Given that the patches themselves are readily available, restorations are easy…but they’re often not disclosed at sale time. Also, as a follow-up, one CAN find the MLB125 patches intact on 1994 Russell mesh game jerseys (Majestic made the blue, NNOB BP tops) however, the Cubs never wore these blue mesh, NOB-bearing game jerseys at all…they were sold at team sales, but are game-issued, not game-worn.

NHL AUCTION IN LATE JANUARY

The 10th anniversary of Hockey Fights Cancer is this year, and the NHL and MeiGray is giving collectors a chance at a piece of the action. On January 9-11, NHL teams will play games in which team captains will wear a 10th Anniversary Hockey Fights Cancer patch on their sweaters. The gamers will be registered in MeiGray’s authentication program, and will be auctioned on NHL.com and NHLPA.com,com from January 17-31. Good cause, good collectibles.

PUCKETT HAD 1996 GAMERS MADE

Kirby Puckett went to spring camp with the Twins, but his glaucoma found him calling it quits in mid-March…but not before the Twins ordered his ’96 game jerseys, never worn, but there nonetheless. Based on the exemplar I viewed, Kirby Puck had at least 4 sets of home and road (there were no blue nor red alternates until the following year).

AN EXAMPLE OF NBACC

EBay has a 1992-93 Bulls road jersey of Scottie Pippen up for bid until the evening of January 15. The seller, correctly, does not promote it as a game-worn jersey, hedging instead between “game jersey” and “pro-cut”. What we have here is actually a NBA Commemorative Collection jersey, the 1992 limited edition pro-cuts offered at retail which are tagged, and are only discernable from game-used by small features (fonts, extra length, etc.)
In the case of Pippen (and Michael Jordan, also part of this issue), the telltale clues are in the NOB. No five-inch drop on the NOB, and a non-serifed font. These jerseys DO have collectible value…just not in the realm of a game-worn version.

OBITUARIES

In the past week, Chicago fans have lost two of their own.

Gerry Staley former MLB pitcher, died at age 87. Both natural causes and kidney problems were cited in different obits. Staley pitched from 1947-61, but is best remembered for being part of the dynamic duo (along with Turk Lown) in the AL Champion White Sox bullpen. His ’59 home World Series jersey would be the most valuable available. Staley is also remembered by autograph collectors. In the 1980s and 90s, autograph requests mailed to him at his Washington State home would come back to fans with a bonus…a 1950’s Cardinals “Dear Friend” team-issued postcard which he would also sign.

Also, Jim Dooley, an organization man for the Chicago Bears for nearly his entire gridiron life, passed away at age 77 due to complications from ALS. He was a receiver for the Bears from 1952-61, afterwards becoming first an assistant coach and then head coach from 1968-71. His coaching stint wasn’t nearly as pleasant as his active playing time, as the Bears failed to finish above .500 in his four years at the helm, going 7-7, 1-13, 6-8 and 6-8. He eventually returned to the Bears in 1980, resuming as an assistant coach.

That’s all, folks…see you next Sunday.

Welcome to my first turn at the Sunday News Extra(SNE). My interpretation of SNE will be part Shirt Off My Back, part tidbits that used to be Bulletin Board posts. I hope it’s to your liking.

ALL-ORIGINAL CUBS KNITS? NOT LIKELY:

Before you accept the word of the seller as to his “all-original” 1994 or 1998 Cubs gamers, look for one specific potential flaw. When the Cubs offered these through ballpark and convention sales, these styles, almost without exception, weren’t offered until the 125th Anniversary patches (1994) and the Caray and Brickhouse memoriams (1998) were removed. Numerous ads have touted all-original 1994 and 1998 Cubs gamers, but, based on what I observed at those sales, very few actually are. Check for a stitch mark imprint in the vicinity of where the current patch is…if you see one, you’ve got a restoration.

MORE EXTREME NFL RECYCLING

I saw an odd, but fully legitimate football jersey on eBay recently. The jersey was a 49ers road gamer of Troy Wilson, a rookie on the ’93 squad. Being one of the low men on the totem pole for the Niners ended up with Wilson getting a c.1988 Russell gamer modified with TV and NFL logos. By 1993, and for 3 or 4 years beforehand, Wilson supplied the 49ers. And, in support of the jersey’s legitimacy, a 49ers team LOA, with the specific player cited, came with the jersey.

PATCH NEWS

NHL fans will be pleased to know that the January Winter Classic game in Buffalo with the Sabres hosting the Penguins found both teams’ sweaters sporting a special Winter Classic patch.

NBA RETRO NIGHT:

Last Sunday evening at the Staples Center found a Hardwood Classics game with anew retro twist. The visiting Boston Celtics wore green road unies that resembled the Bill Russell-era threads, with an arched, serafed BOSTON on the front. The host Lakers, however, went one up on them. Jerseys were the tank top variety worn in 1987-88, but the item that had fans and commentators buzzing were the short shorts the Lakers wore that were the NBA norm in the pre-Michael Jordan days, as opposed to the baggy knee-length attire of today. The Lakers are supposed to wear the 1987-88 retro tops roughly 7 more times this season. As for the John Stockton-style shorts surfacing again, only time will tell.

OBITUARIES:

Christmas Day was the date of death for 11-season National Leaguer Jim Beauchamp, since then a longtime coach on the Atlanta Braves and in their farm system. Beauchamp died at age 68 after a long battle with leukemia. As far as jerseys he wore go, the easy pinnacle would have been a 1964 Houston Colt .45s home flannel by Wilson. This wildly popular style with the smoking pistol front rarely transacts for under four figures, even for little-known players.

SEAN TAYLOR FOLLOW-UP

While there were no strict guidelines issued by the NFL, it turns out most member teams wore the 21 decal for murdered Redskin Sean Taylor on their helmets. One team that didn’t was New England, due to a memoriam decal for a member of the team already being present.

That’s it for this go-round…see you next Sunday.

Dave Miedema

Welcome to my first turn at the Sunday News Extra(SNE). My interpretation of SNE will be part Shirt Off My Back, part tidbits that used to be Bulletin Board posts. I hope it’s to your liking.

ALL-ORIGINAL CUBS KNITS? NOT LIKELY:

Before you accept the word of the seller as to his “all-original” 1994 or 1998 Cubs gamers, look for one specific potential flaw. When the Cubs offered these through ballpark and convention sales, these styles, almost without exception, weren’t offered until the 125th Anniversary patches (1994) and the Caray and Brickhouse memoriams (1998) were removed. Numerous ads have touted all-original 1994 and 1998 Cubs gamers, but, based on what I observed at those sales, very few actually are. Check for a stitch mark imprint in the vicinity of where the current patch is…if you see one, you’ve got a restoration.

MORE EXTREME NFL RECYCLING

I saw an odd, but fully legitimate football jersey on eBay recently. The jersey was a 49ers road gamer of Troy Wilson, a rookie on the ’93 squad. Being one of the low men on the totem pole for the Niners ended up with Wilson getting a c.1988 Russell gamer modified with TV and NFL logos. By 1993, and for 3 or 4 years beforehand, Wilson supplied the 49ers. And, in support of the jersey’s legitimacy, a 49ers team LOA, with the specific player cited, came with the jersey.

PATCH NEWS

NHL fans will be pleased to know that the January Winter Classic game in Buffalo with the Sabres hosting the Penguins found both teams’ sweaters sporting a special Winter Classic patch.

NBA RETRO NIGHT:

Last Sunday evening at the Staples Center found a Hardwood Classics game with anew retro twist. The visiting Boston Celtics wore green road unies that resembled the Bill Russell-era threads, with an arched, serafed BOSTON on the front. The host Lakers, however, went one up on them. Jerseys were the tank top variety worn in 1987-88, but the item that had fans and commentators buzzing were the short shorts the Lakers wore that were the NBA norm in the pre-Michael Jordan days, as opposed to the baggy knee-length attire of today. The Lakers are supposed to wear the 1987-88 retro tops roughly 7 more times this season. As for the John Stockton-style shorts surfacing again, only time will tell.

OBITUARIES:

Christmas Day was the date of death for 11-season National Leaguer Jim Beauchamp, since then a longtime coach on the Atlanta Braves and in their farm system. Beauchamp died at age 68 after a long battle with leukemia. As far as jerseys he wore go, the easy pinnacle would have been a 1964 Houston Colt .45s home flannel by Wilson. This wildly popular style with the smoking pistol front rarely transacts for under four figures, even for little-known players.

SEAN TAYLOR FOLLOW-UP

While there were no strict guidelines issued by the NFL, it turns out most member teams wore the 21 decal for murdered Redskin Sean Taylor on their helmets. One team that didn’t was New England, due to a memoriam decal for a member of the team already being present.

That’s it for this go-round…see you next Sunday.

Dave Miedema