I recently acquired a style I have been after for a while; that being a “War Era” Yankees home flannel. This jersey not only fills a hole in my collection/reference library, but it also provides some insights into manufacturers characteristics that are helpful when researching uniforms of the period. While the jersey is without any sort of supplemental year identification (not uncommon), I was able to date it to 1945 based on the number worn by Steve Roser. While not a difficult thing to do, dating the jersey to 1945 is where the fun begins so let’s get started.

In the past, I have written on numerous occasions about teams carrying over uniforms from a previous season as well as teams being provided uniforms by more than one manufacturer in a single year. In any number of those instances, my research and subsequent articles have included the New York Yankees. When folks talk about Yankee home jerseys, typically all you hear about is the use of “pin stripping” as a means to assess the authenticity or dating of the jersey. If you have studied Yankee uniforms in any detail, you will also have found that the NY crest on the front does change somewhat what from year to year and does vary between manufacturers. This jersey provides us with a marvelous case study with respect to many of these same facets.

As you can see from the images shown in PLATE I, we have three different styles of Yankee home jerseys worn in 1945. Not only are there variations in the crest style, but there is also a difference in width of the pinstripe itself. This continues to suggest two manufacturers and one carry over. Data that I have gathered over the years suggests that these two manufacturers for Yankee home jerseys at this time are Spalding and Wilson. Data also suggests that the wider pinstripe is probably a Spalding product.

Now look at the images in PLATE II. We see an image of Steve Roser from 1944 and the style of crest he is wearing can also be seen later in 1945 (D&A). With the Spalding uniforms from this period featuring the wider pin stripes, then I would conclude that the jersey worn by Roser in the 1944 image is most likely as Wilson jersey as well. As a uniform collector and researcher, this is valuable information since it helps to fill in gaps we have for the body of information related to a period of time when surviving jerseys are scare (SEE War Time Baseball Uniforms by Dave Grob).

I make the point of laying all of this out as I have recently begun what will likely be a rather long term project focused on the study of the NY crest over time as it relates to both year and manufacturer. The various aspects of this study will include both cut/style as well as size. When this is complete, we should be then be better able to look at period images and discern the likely manufacturer based on these various manufactures’ characteristics and attributes of the crest.

As always, collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you collect. If you have occasion to go the National, I will be on hand at the MEARS booths to answer questions and talk uniforms throughout the event.

Dave Grob

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

I recently acquired a style I have been after for a while; that being a “War Era” Yankees home flannel. This jersey not only fills a hole in my collection/reference library, but it also provides some insights into manufacturers characteristics that are helpful when researching uniforms of the period. While the jersey is without any sort of supplemental year identification (not uncommon), I was able to date it to 1945 based on the number worn by Steve Roser. While not a difficult thing to do, dating the jersey to 1945 is where the fun begins so let’s get started.

In the past, I have written on numerous occasions about teams carrying over uniforms from a previous season as well as teams being provided uniforms by more than one manufacturer in a single year. In any number of those instances, my research and subsequent articles have included the New York Yankees. When folks talk about Yankee home jerseys, typically all you hear about is the use of “pin stripping” as a means to assess the authenticity or dating of the jersey. If you have studied Yankee uniforms in any detail, you will also have found that the NY crest on the front does change somewhat what from year to year and does vary between manufacturers. This jersey provides us with a marvelous case study with respect to many of these same facets.

As you can see from the images shown in PLATE I, we have three different styles of Yankee home jerseys worn in 1945. Not only are there variations in the crest style, but there is also a difference in width of the pinstripe itself. This continues to suggest two manufacturers and one carry over. Data that I have gathered over the years suggests that these two manufacturers for Yankee home jerseys at this time are Spalding and Wilson. Data also suggests that the wider pinstripe is probably a Spalding product.

Now look at the images in PLATE II. We see an image of Steve Roser from 1944 and the style of crest he is wearing can also be seen later in 1945 (D&A). With the Spalding uniforms from this period featuring the wider pin stripes, then I would conclude that the jersey worn by Roser in the 1944 image is most likely as Wilson jersey as well. As a uniform collector and researcher, this is valuable information since it helps to fill in gaps we have for the body of information related to a period of time when surviving jerseys are scare (SEE War Time Baseball Uniforms by Dave Grob).

I make the point of laying all of this out as I have recently begun what will likely be a rather long term project focused on the study of the NY crest over time as it relates to both year and manufacturer. The various aspects of this study will include both cut/style as well as size. When this is complete, we should be then be better able to look at period images and discern the likely manufacturer based on these various manufactures’ characteristics and attributes of the crest.

As always, collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you collect. If you have occasion to go the National, I will be on hand at the MEARS booths to answer questions and talk uniforms throughout the event.

Dave Grob

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

Not much in the way of a full length article, but the Gehrig “Last Glove” research and evaluations have moved writing back in the queue so to speak. With that in mind, I think I will focus on “Pics” and “Picks” this week. This is a combination of pictures I have come across and or items that I have picked up for myself.

New York Yankees “Carryover” Uniforms (PLATE 1):

I have written about this in the past and referred to it in evaluations, but this week I came across a wonderful picture from spring training 1965 (23 February 1965) that shows exactly what I have been talking about. The image shows Yankee road jerseys tagged in the collar as being from 1964 and “64” hand written on the tails to identify and differentiate them from the new uniforms ordered for and worn in 1965. While the Yankees appear to have carried over a set for use in the next season, uniforms like this have been known to have stayed in team inventories for additional seasons for subsequent use in spring training as well.

The 1974 Houston Astros (PLATE 2):

Here we have a “pic” for a “pick”. A while back, I picked up a gorgeous 1974 Cesar Cedeno Houston Astros road uniform that did not have the Astrodome sleeve patch, nor were there any signs that one had ever been applied. I liked everything else I saw in the jersey and was comfortable with the source offering the jersey, so I pulled the trigger. What I found after some time of searching, was a great “pic” of Cedeno dated to the 1974 All Star game shows him in an Astros uniform without the patch for that year. I also recently picked up a 1972 Astros road jersey (Spalding) with patch. As such, I am looking to trade the Cedeno as I consider them the same style (for display purposes). So if you have 70s knits and want to swap, drop me a line.

Size Matters (PLATE 3):

I love “pics” like this because except in very rare cases do we actually know what size jerseys players actually wore. In most instances, we base opinions on comparative analysis with other uniforms as well as contemporary player height and weight data. Images like this also provide insights on how we should expect to see tagging reflected in the jerseys we come across. Here we have John Milner and John Matlack with the New York Mets in 1973.

John Milner: 6’, 185lbs (Size 40)

John Matlack: 6’,3”, 205lbs (size 44)

White Elephants and White Whales (PLATES 4-5):

I found a white whale this week to go with a white elephant in the form of an “Ultra Rare” 1950 Philadelphia A’s Connie Mack Golden Anniversary Patch. I bought a jersey without this patch back in 2009 and it has taken me this long to find the patch to put on it. In my opinion, these jerseys are some of the most attractive ever produced. The color scheme was intended to highlight Mack’s 50th year at the helm of the Athletics. The uniforms were manufactured by MacGregor/Mitchell & Ness. Counting this one, I know of only about a half dozen of these uniforms as being out there.

Spirit of 76 (PLATE 6):

Back in October of last year I wrote an article titled “The Spirit of 76.” That work addressed patches worn in the major leagues for the 1976 season and was in response to a question about the Detroit Tigers that year. I covered the patches worn by the National League (- the Expos), the Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Oakland A’s, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers. Recently I picked up a 1976 Tigers patch off E-Bay at what I thought was great price ($395) in a “Buy it Now/Make an Offer auction. At the time of the “Buy it Now” purchase, there had already been 5 offers on it so it’s not like this rare patch was not noticed. While I don’t have a jersey for this patch, items like this are just too rare to pass on at prices like this when they show up. They make for wonderful trading material and I love having the chance to own one for research purposes.

The All Star Game (PLATE 7):

Good buys on patches as of late. Picked up a great 1982 All Star Patch, one I have been looking for, for some time now. I had all but given up hope and had actually purchased a modern replica, but when it arrived, I just could not bring myself to have it sewn on my 1982 Expos Home (Terry Franconia), so I waited. Well worth the wait and I have enclosed a side by comparison for your reference.

About a year and half ago, I started a collection of knits that feature the All Star patch. These jerseys are from the team that hosted the All Star Game that year (starting in 1978). To date I have acquired:

1978 Padres

1979 Mariners

1980 Dodgers

1982 Expos

1983 White Sox

1984 Giants

1986 Astros

1987 A’s

1988 Reds

1991 Blue Jays

1992 Padres

1993 Orioles

1994 Pirates

1995 Rangers

1996 Phillies

1998 Rockies

1999 Red Sox

2005 Tigers

This past weekend I was at the MEARS Conference and Research Center and installed these uniforms as part of our All Star Game display. This display is intended to portray the history of the “Mid-Summer Classic”. This exhibit features uniforms, bats, player presentation items, and other artifacts related to the All Star Game. This has been a very enjoyable “collecting theme” and one I am looking to complete. If you have a common player jersey with All Star Game patch from a year/team that hosted the All Star Game and are looking to sell or trade, I’d love to hear from you. My most wanted are those from before 2000.

As always, collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you collect and I hope to see you at the National.

Dave Grob

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

Not much in the way of a full length article, but the Gehrig “Last Glove” research and evaluations have moved writing back in the queue so to speak. With that in mind, I think I will focus on “Pics” and “Picks” this week. This is a combination of pictures I have come across and or items that I have picked up for myself.

New York Yankees “Carryover” Uniforms (PLATE 1):

I have written about this in the past and referred to it in evaluations, but this week I came across a wonderful picture from spring training 1965 (23 February 1965) that shows exactly what I have been talking about. The image shows Yankee road jerseys tagged in the collar as being from 1964 and “64” hand written on the tails to identify and differentiate them from the new uniforms ordered for and worn in 1965. While the Yankees appear to have carried over a set for use in the next season, uniforms like this have been known to have stayed in team inventories for additional seasons for subsequent use in spring training as well.

The 1974 Houston Astros (PLATE 2):

Here we have a “pic” for a “pick”. A while back, I picked up a gorgeous 1974 Cesar Cedeno Houston Astros road uniform that did not have the Astrodome sleeve patch, nor were there any signs that one had ever been applied. I liked everything else I saw in the jersey and was comfortable with the source offering the jersey, so I pulled the trigger. What I found after some time of searching, was a great “pic” of Cedeno dated to the 1974 All Star game shows him in an Astros uniform without the patch for that year. I also recently picked up a 1972 Astros road jersey (Spalding) with patch. As such, I am looking to trade the Cedeno as I consider them the same style (for display purposes). So if you have 70s knits and want to swap, drop me a line.

Size Matters (PLATE 3):

I love “pics” like this because except in very rare cases do we actually know what size jerseys players actually wore. In most instances, we base opinions on comparative analysis with other uniforms as well as contemporary player height and weight data. Images like this also provide insights on how we should expect to see tagging reflected in the jerseys we come across. Here we have John Milner and John Matlack with the New York Mets in 1973.

John Milner: 6’, 185lbs (Size 40)

John Matlack: 6’,3”, 205lbs (size 44)

White Elephants and White Whales (PLATES 4-5):

I found a white whale this week to go with a white elephant in the form of an “Ultra Rare” 1950 Philadelphia A’s Connie Mack Golden Anniversary Patch. I bought a jersey without this patch back in 2009 and it has taken me this long to find the patch to put on it. In my opinion, these jerseys are some of the most attractive ever produced. The color scheme was intended to highlight Mack’s 50th year at the helm of the Athletics. The uniforms were manufactured by MacGregor/Mitchell & Ness. Counting this one, I know of only about a half dozen of these uniforms as being out there.

Spirit of 76 (PLATE 6):

Back in October of last year I wrote an article titled “The Spirit of 76.” That work addressed patches worn in the major leagues for the 1976 season and was in response to a question about the Detroit Tigers that year. I covered the patches worn by the National League (- the Expos), the Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Oakland A’s, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers. Recently I picked up a 1976 Tigers patch off E-Bay at what I thought was great price ($395) in a “Buy it Now/Make an Offer auction. At the time of the “Buy it Now” purchase, there had already been 5 offers on it so it’s not like this rare patch was not noticed. While I don’t have a jersey for this patch, items like this are just too rare to pass on at prices like this when they show up. They make for wonderful trading material and I love having the chance to own one for research purposes.

The All Star Game (PLATE 7):

Good buys on patches as of late. Picked up a great 1982 All Star Patch, one I have been looking for, for some time now. I had all but given up hope and had actually purchased a modern replica, but when it arrived, I just could not bring myself to have it sewn on my 1982 Expos Home (Terry Franconia), so I waited. Well worth the wait and I have enclosed a side by comparison for your reference.

About a year and half ago, I started a collection of knits that feature the All Star patch. These jerseys are from the team that hosted the All Star Game that year (starting in 1978). To date I have acquired:

1978 Padres

1979 Mariners

1980 Dodgers

1982 Expos

1983 White Sox

1984 Giants

1986 Astros

1987 A’s

1988 Reds

1991 Blue Jays

1992 Padres

1993 Orioles

1994 Pirates

1995 Rangers

1996 Phillies

1998 Rockies

1999 Red Sox

2005 Tigers

This past weekend I was at the MEARS Conference and Research Center and installed these uniforms as part of our All Star Game display. This display is intended to portray the history of the “Mid-Summer Classic”. This exhibit features uniforms, bats, player presentation items, and other artifacts related to the All Star Game. This has been a very enjoyable “collecting theme” and one I am looking to complete. If you have a common player jersey with All Star Game patch from a year/team that hosted the All Star Game and are looking to sell or trade, I’d love to hear from you. My most wanted are those from before 2000.

As always, collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you collect and I hope to see you at the National.

Dave Grob

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