What is your favorite game used item?

[geoff]

Im not sure if we did this thread before but for fun around the holidays lets do this again.
What is your favorite Game Used Item you own if you had to pick just 1.
Mine is My Hanley Ramirez Portland SeaDogs Game Used helmet autographed that i bought from a forum member Last Year.
It displays real nice lets have fun with this thread.Happy Holidays Geoff

[richpick]

Unfortunately, I have sold most of my favorite game used items over the last year, so they are now owned by some one else! My favorite item that I own is the Steve Garvey game used bat that I purchased from a forum member a month ago. I am 39 years old and growing up in Southern California he was my favorite player when I was a kid.

[brianborsch]

My fav game used item I currently own is my 2006 GCL Adrian Cardenas Auto jersey. This kid was the 2006 Highschool POY for BA and he did real well in the GCL. Word has it that he is a throwback type of player and should end up as a power hitting second baseman. Should be fun to watch next year!
2655

[Kid4hof03]

My current favorite is a 1995 Yankees road jersey worn by Randy Velarde. The jersey still have the armband and 7 that memorialized Mickey Mantle's death in tact. I've been searching for one of these for some time, Steiner came through.

Abe

[jon_8_us]

Here's my prized Manny bat.May not have the WOW factor that some of you deep pocket collectors may have but to me it's priceless....

[kylehess10]

Mine is ofcoarse the batting gloves that Andruw Jones wore in the 2005 Homerun Derby

[chakes89]

if i may how much were those gloves?

[kylehess10]

if i may how much were those gloves?

$300

A few weeks before I bought them they were originally $500

[CansecoPower33]

My favorite piece is my 1971 California Angels Andy Messersmith home jersey. She needs a little restoration work in the new year, but one day I'll have this hanging on my office wall. The 4 on the back and front was removed and the 7 was centered for minor league use by Richard Laubert in 1972. 1971 was the final year the Angels used flannels and the first year for the new style jersey with the lower case "angels" and haloed "a". McAuliffe size 46.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/joeryan33/MessersmithAngelsFrontLettering.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/joeryan33/Newback.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f95/joeryan33/MessersmithCaliforniaPatch.jpg

[3arod13]

1996 Alex Rodriguez Game Used HR #15 Bat!

[sandman02910]

Geoff,
I'm glad you like the Hanley helmet that much. I hated to let it go. I'm glad to see you still have it. At the time it was one of the nicest items I owned but it didn't fit in the direction I wanted my collection to go. As I'm sure you all know.....you can't collect everything. It gets to the point where in order to buy new items you have to thin out the herd and sell some older items.
As far as my favorite items go they would have to be my 4 game used Jonathan Papelbon gloves. His first glove from his first ever glove contract with Rawlings in 2004, his first Boston game used glove from 2005 and both gloves he used in Boston ....as well as the All Star Game in 2006.

Thanks
Scott

[chakes89]

my first ever game used bat which i used and cracked.
hit the ball so hard i shaved off the barrel of the bat
i kept it but then i lost track of it and never knew what happened to it :o

[geoff]

Scott i told you i would not sell that helmet and i do like it very much.Also that Manny Ramirez bat is sweet looking.

[33bird]

My two favorite items are my game used 1976 Johnny Bench bat. And, my 1985 game used Pete Rose Mizuno bat. Bot have great use. Bench was the World Series MVP that season and, of course, Pete broke the hits record in 1985.

[CansecoPower33]

Check that bad boy for cork. :cool:

[33bird]

I heard he was corkin' in 85. How would you check for that?

[CansecoPower33]

I'd imagine the barrel would sound different if you knocked it. It should make a more hallowed out sound. Look for any signs of a sealed opening on the top of the bat. Seriously though, I doubt Rose would let a corked bat out of his sight long enough to slip into a collection.

I believe they cut one up a year or two ago at some auction house. It was a Mizuno bat, heavily taped. No cork to be found.

[iceman13]

1993 Miami Dolphins videomatched Dan Marino jersey followed by 1981-82 videomatched/photomatched Grant Fuhr rookie Edmonton Oilers jersey

[stlgroundskeeper]

My favorite game used item is my ALbert Pujols game used signed single-a allstar jersey. It is from the midwest league allstar game and I love it.

[earlywynnfan]

An Early Wynn GU Bat and the ball he used to pitch his 2000th strikeout. If anyone sees any of his GU Win BB, please let me know. (Yes, that's Wynn's wins I'm looking for!)

Ken

[Yankwood]

There's a lot of them that tie for second but probably first would be a Joe Torre Adirondack from Mets years, hammered with use, handle grooved and uncracked that he signed for me. He said he would "knurl" the handles on the bats he liked best and wondered how this one got away from him without being cracked. At first he gave me a funny accusational type look, like he was accusing me of thievery. Then he chuckled a little and signed it. It was a good experience though. Not like the bad one I had with Nettles.

[jake33]

my rocco Baldelli tampa tarpons 6/24/06 game used jersey, photo matched with the dvd of the game, how many baseball jerseys can you legitmately say were worn when a particular player had a triple in the game used jersey?

Also, for football, my Randall McDaniel 2001 pro bowl (after 00 season) game used jersey, obtained directly from his agent.

[hblakewolf]

There's a lot of them that tie for second but probably first would be a Joe Torre Adirondack from Mets years, hammered with use, handle grooved and uncracked that he signed for me. He said he would "knurl" the handles on the bats he liked best and wondered how this one got away from him without being cracked. At first he gave me a funny accusational type look, like he was accusing me of thievery. Then he chuckled a little and signed it. It was a good experience though. Not like the bad one I had with Nettles.

Can you elaborate on the Nettles story?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[Yankwood]

There's a lot of them that tie for second but probably first would be a Joe Torre Adirondack from Mets years, hammered with use, handle grooved and uncracked that he signed for me. He said he would "knurl" the handles on the bats he liked best and wondered how this one got away from him without being cracked. At first he gave me a funny accusational type look, like he was accusing me of thievery. Then he chuckled a little and signed it. It was a good experience though. Not like the bad one I had with Nettles.

Can you elaborate on the Nettles story?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.netI put a well used and VERY cracked bat in front of Nettles at a signing around 1990 or so and Mr. Nettles proceded to ask me, paraphrasing of course, "Where the F did you get this from?" I told him I got it from a friend of mine who lived in Detroit. He then said, "Yeah?, and where the F did he steal it from?". I told him he didn't have to sign it if it was that big of a deal. Besides it was a little uncomfortable having him using the language he used in front of little kids who were in line. He signed it with "attitude" but at that point I really didn't care if he did or not.

[nycsports]

I have 2 favorite items in my collection:

One is a Home Run ball hit by Barry Bonds in his days with the Pirates.

The other is a baseball hit by Roberto Clemente in 1966.

[stlbats]

Here are a couple of my favorite bats that I own:

[JRocker49]

I saw this post in the autograph side of the forum and figured it would be a good thread what is your one favorite game used item. Mine would have to be my Jim Thome signed game used bp bat given to me by Jim early this season

[JRocker49]

surprised no replies to this it is a good thread on the auto side of the forum

[MikeSimon]

Hey Ken....Where did you meet Thome to get the bat autographed?

I like how he tapes it!

Mike

[JRocker49]

on the field at the jacobs field during bp traded him a 16x20 i took of him and charlie manuel together for it worked for me

[RKGIBSON]

This 1998 Kevin Greene Panthers jersey is the item I will never part with in my collection. It was worn in every away game in the 98 season. It was given to me personally by Kevin.

Roger

[JRocker49]

nice piece i think he was just on pros vs joes and dominated

[Yankwood]

Of all of the major league equipment that I have collected, my Bobby Grich Red Wings hat from 1971-the year he was named Minor League Player of The Year--will remain mine 'til the end. I had the pleasure of seeing at least 40 games that season, including all 7 games of the Junior World Series and at the age of 15 Grich was far and away my favorite player. The hat is, as much as anything else, a direct connection to my youth.

[3arod13]

Of all of the major league equipment that I have collected, my Bobby Grich Red Wings hat from 1971-the year he was named Minor League Player of The Year--will remain mine 'til the end. I had the pleasure of seeing at least 40 games that season, including all 7 games of the Junior World Series and at the age of 15 Grich was far and away my favorite player. The hat is, as much as anything else, a direct connection to my youth.

Wow! What a nice piece!

[kylehess10]

My most favorite is my Andruw Jones signed game worn 2005 Homerun Derby batting gloves:

[3arod13]

1996 Alex Rodriguez HR #15 (20th of his career) and two 1998 Game Used 40/40 Season bats.

[3arod13]

1996 bat

[JRocker49]

nice HR bat thats about as good as they come for modern era i owuld love a mantle gamer maybe one day

[JRocker49]

RK thanks for selling me the rocker afl jersey earlier i got it signed and inscribed game used 97 afl

[3arod13]

nice HR bat thats about as good as they come for modern era i owuld love a mantle gamer maybe one day

Just curious, why do you collect John Rocker? Not a popular player.

[JRocker49]

i always like his intensity. Yeah he said alot of stupid things like alot of people do when they are in there mid-20's but you never had to question if he was giving it his all out on the mound. and when he was on he was damn near unhittable. I've also met him a few times and he is one of the more fan friendly players i have met right up there with Jim Thome. One great thing is like you said he is not a real popular player so i can pick up his items for a real low price i now have two game used bats and three game worn jerseys and always looking for more. I'm actually going to sell my 99 Arod Gamer blonde bigstick if your intrested

[3arod13]

i always like his intensity. Yeah he said alot of stupid things like alot of people do when they are in there mid-20's but you never had to question if he was giving it his all out on the mound. and when he was on he was damn near unhittable. I've also met him a few times and he is one of the more fan friendly players i have met right up there with Jim Thome. One great thing is like you said he is not a real popular player so i can pick up his items for a real low price i now have two game used bats and three game worn jerseys and always looking for more. I'm actually going to sell my 99 Arod Gamer blonde bigstick if your intrested

send pic to: arod13tb@yahoo.com

[JRocker49]

sent photos

[3arod13]

sent photos

Responded via email

[stlbats]

3Arod,

where did Arod sign those bats at? that is a good pic


jason

[kellsox]

i always like his intensity. Yeah he said alot of stupid things like alot of people do when they are in there mid-20's but you never had to question if he was giving it his all out on the mound. and when he was on he was damn near unhittable. I've also met him a few times and he is one of the more fan friendly players i have met right up there with Jim Thome. One great thing is like you said he is not a real popular player so i can pick up his items for a real low price i now have two game used bats and three game worn jerseys and always looking for more. I'm actually going to sell my 99 Arod Gamer blonde bigstick if your intrested
How can these be "game used" bats when Rocker never had an MLB at bat in his career???

[3arod13]

3Arod,

where did Arod sign those bats at? that is a good pic


jason

See pics

[JRocker49]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/rockejo01.shtml
shows 2 post season AB's for John both came to walks so no official ab's bats most likely used for bp according to John 1 possibly for one of the ab's in the playoffs but not sure

[RKGIBSON]

JROCKER

I'm glad you liked the Rocker jersey. The first time I noticed Rocker was when he played in the World Series. I was on a hunting trip in Idaho. I left our camp to visit a friend in Burley ID. When I got to the hotel Rocker was pitching. I thought WOW. I bought his World Series away jersey from Grey Flannel. I think I paid $2250.00 at the time, when he was hot. When I sold most of my baseball jerseys a while back I think I got around $600.00. I wish he would have kept his mouth shut!!.

The Kevin Greene jersey has tremendous wear. That is why I like it so much. I have 1, of the 2 he had in 97, 49er home jerseys as well a his 90 LA Ram and a 99 Panther. He is in Iraq right now visiting the troops.

Roger

[gameused]

3arod13,

Can you tell me what MVP charges for Arod's autograph and game used inscription on a bat?

Thanks, Bobby

[TFig27]

and it wasn't used by a Major Leaguer. It is my personal glove that I used all through high school and was still using, but i think it is now retired. On Father's Day, I had Johnny Damon autograph it when the Yanks played the Mets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/tfig27/IMG_2050.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/tfig27/n42505300_30724777_3890.jpg

Now I guess I need a new first baseman's mitt ;)

Question for anyone...did you save any of your items from you played? Did you ever have them signed by Major Leaguers?

[Kid4hof03]

I still have my first baseman's mitt from high school and college. My mother bought my high school basketball uniforms from the athletic department after I graduated but I have no clue where they are.

I've never considered getting anything like that signed.

[uwmrules09]

I just wanted to share with everyone a few of my favorite items that I currently have along with pics of them.

Randy "Macho Man" Savage autographed ring worn jacket and hat
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/MachoManHat1.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/MachoManJacket2.jpg

1998 Reggie White game used Pro Bowl jersey w/loas from Topps trading cards
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/reggie1.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/reggie2.jpg

Bill Hall game used items including a signed gu jersey from 04, signed gu bat from 2002 (his first time in the majors), and a gu batting helmet
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/Hallhelmet.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/Hallhelmet2.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/BillHallbat2.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/BillHallbat1.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/game%20used%20items/halljersey1.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/game%20used%20items/halljersey4.jpg

and finally my Carlos Villanueva collection

USMC hat from military day game vs. Twins
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/villanuevahat1.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/villanuevahat4.jpg

GU batting helmet

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/Villanuevahelmet2.jpg

Signed gu Negro League tbtc jersey
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/VillanuevaBearsjersey3.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/VillanuevaBearsjersey.jpg

Signed gu rookie bp jersey
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/villanuevajersey2.jpg

Signed gu AA Hunstville Stars jersey
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/Villanuevastarsjersey1.jpg

Signed gu AAA Nashville Volunteers tbtc jersey
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/villanuevatbtcjersey.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k270/raytownkid09/villanuevatbtcjersey2.jpg

[zookerman182]

I know there are alot of people who have insane collections, but if you had to pick your favorite game used piece you own, what would it be?

Also why is it your favorite and what (if any) story is behind the piece.

Please, just pick one, your absolute favorite. Also, if you are able, post pictures of the item. I'm anxious to see what everyone's favorites are.

[DGRROSEN]

A David Ortiz (Big Papi) game-used bat from the 2004 season. I have been a Red Sox fan since 1967 and I had to have an Ortiz bat from the season the Red Sox busted "the curse". The bat has only moderate use, but it is my favorite item.

[geoff]

My Hanley Ramirez Game Used Portland SeaDogs Game Used Batting Helmet that is Autographed.The Helmet has alot of Pin Tar and shows alot of use to it.To my Knowledge it was his only Portland SeaDogs Helmet he used.I simply love it and it displays real nice.

[2000mvpfan]

..my early 90's Don Mattingly game used Cooper bat.Because if you were a kid growing up in New Jersey in the '80's and rooting for the Yankees,NOBODY on a baseball field meant more to you than Donnie Baseball...

[ironmanfan]

I'm not sure this qualifies as "game used," but the favorite item in my collection is the locker name plate that Cal gave me after the last home game of the '88 season...It was really the only item I had the balls to ask him for, but he gladly complied. Some of the younger collectors will probably be surprised to see an actual nameplate devoid of holograms, multiple colors, etc.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/whhp72/Game%20Used/Disney2006001.jpg

[yanks12025]

My 2007 Robinson Cano game used bat.

[sicollector1954@insightbb.com]

This gamer is one I hope I never have to part with. I got it at an auction in Chicago this past fall along with 7 other vintage game bats after seeing them listed on E-bay. The bats pictures listed at auction did not enlarge but from the what I could make out--knew they had to be something. I drove to the auction house to look at them in person and the first bat I saw was this one. It is a 1936-39 Jimmie Foxx gamer. I went back several days later and bid in person winning most of the ones I wanted. I later found out that one other collector who is a friend of mine and I were actually bidding against each other without knowing it.
I had John Taube's restorer redo the finish on this bat and fill a couple of display holes. It can from a former major league's scout collection. Taube's restorer does a marvelous job and it was well worth the the money spent and the time it took to get it back into my hands. I doubt I will ever run across another "high-end" game bat like this again but that is the thrill of the hunt and never say never.

[33bird]

That's a sweet Foxx bat. Would like to see the whole bat. My favorite item would probably be my Larry Bird 86-87 home jersey that got a mears A10 grade. But, my Bill Russell game used 60's shorts are a close second. I never thought I'd be able to get a game used Russell item. I mean, his jerseys go for 40K! So, when I got these I was pretty pumped.
Greg
biggamebird@yahoo.com

[Dewey2007]

Great question. There are a couple of items that standout as favorites for different reasons. My James Worthy gamers because he gave them to me as a kid and that created a memory I'll never forget. My 1937 Alameda Kono All-Star jersey is a favorite because of the history behind the item and to date it's the only one I've seen of it's kind.

[godwulf]

I haven't had it long, and it's not anywhere near the most expensive item in my collection, nor is it from the most famous player...but my Micah Owings gamer, broken during a pivotal game in the Diamondbacks great (and incredibly fun) season last year, and signed and inscribed by Micah at this years Fan Fest, may very well be my favorite item at this point.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dc31b3127cceb4ac3a14cd1500000026102EbsmzVu0ZG

[Vintagedeputy]

I'd say probably my 2007 Jorge Posada game used bat.

Photomatched to a game in Toronto where Posada got an rbi single with it. The rbi was #800 for his career. 2007 is his best season to date in the majors.

[AWA85]

This is a tough one, seems like mine changes every time a new item comes in. The one thing that stands out to me though would probably be my 9/11 Jason LaRue batting helmet covered in pine tar and dirt.

[MUSEOVEN]

This Is One Of My Favorites.. Enzo Hernandez Game Used And Signed Bat...

[outlaw16511]

I'm a huge Buffalo Sabres fan so all my favorite pieces are Buffalo Sabres items
1. My pair of blue seats from Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. Took me forever to acquire them

2. My 1998-1999 Stu Barnes Sabres home jersey. It's Stu's first game worn Sabres jersey after being traded to Buffalo from Pittsburgh. I researched it for 8 months after I bought it since it had no LOA. I photomatched it and videomatched it to the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs in the series against Boston and Toronto. It's in a case in my living room.

3. 2003-2004 Daniel Briere Sabres home jersey. My daughter was named Briere after Daniel Briere when she was born in April of 2004. This jersey is Danny's second alternate captain jersey. I was fortunate a friend in Switzerland was nice enough to sell me this jersey. My friend collects as many Briere jerseys as possible and never sells them. He owns over 30 of Briere's gamers. It's a treasure to me to have a Briere jersey from the year my daughter Briere was born. It's also in a jersey case on the living room wall.

[Yankeesfan09]

Just curious to see what everyones favorite piece of memorabilia is in their collection and why. I dont have anything to share yet since I am still new to this kind of collecting, but I am expecting a HUGE mailday for me hopefully by the end of the week. I cant remember the last time I have been this excited about a purchase. Thanks to all that share! :D

[Kid4hof03]

Great topic. I believe that this one was recently discussed but who cares, always fun to see everyone's favorites.

Mine is my 1982 Gary Carter Expos home jersey. Along with it is an Expos game used hat and several bats.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k271/Kid4hof03/Game%20used/S5000626.jpg?t=1242665447

[Yankeesfan09]

Wow, very nice! I like the jersey. Sorry if it was recently posted, I should have checked further back lol. Thanks for sharing.

[Master Shake]

Mine are my pair of Dwight Howard game used shoes from I believe his 2nd year in the league. (2005-2006)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/mastershaketoyou/Memorabilia/howardshoes2.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i23/mastershaketoyou/Memorabilia/73385417.jpg

[dcgreg25]

Mine has to be my recently acquired Larry Doby GU glove. It is the new centerpiece of my collection and is completely hammered with use. Now I just have to find a great way to display it!!!

[Vintagedeputy]

So many choices.......I can't decide!

[jonincleve]

1976 red buddy bell cleveland indians jersey.

take care
john

[TriplexXxSports]

Matt Forte (Tulane Green Wave) freshman jersey. The only one to survive from the hurricane. ABSOLUTELY SHATTERED!

[cordovacollector]

Mine has to be my recently acquired Larry Doby GU glove. It is the new centerpiece of my collection and is completely hammered with use. Now I just have to find a great way to display it!!!

Greg ~

I think I can help ya out there. I have a museum-quality solution, very inexpensive too!!! Just mail the Doby glove to me. I have the perfect spot ....... ;)

[cordovacollector]

A couple of my favorites are two of my earliest Marty Cordova items. The first is from the summer before he was a freshman in high school in 1984, playing in the Senior League Tournament - 7/14/84. His mother would pay kids to get his home run balls and she would calligraphy them in the stands. She might have been the Original Ballhawk! :cool:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb5.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb3.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb4.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb2.jpg

The second is a "jersey" he wore the summer of 1987, after he graduated from high school. He toured Europe with the Baseball Ambassadors for 19 days. I also have his passport from the trip (not pictured):

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MC87s1.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCs2.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCs3.jpg

[dcgreg25]

Cordovacollector, thx for the idea on displaying the glove, I will keep it in mind. :D

Interesting homerun ball and jersey....always interesting to see what treasures are lurking in the collections of the other members here.

[JasonBanz]

It was a tough one but as of right now it's gotta be my Brandon London N.Y. Giants jerset from 2007. Only worn during preseason because he was then on the practice squad, and its the closest to a photomatch that I have out of any of my jerseys. Plus I didn't spend much on it at all!

21539

21540

21541

[33bird]

Favorite baseball:Pete Rose game used 1975-76 Adirondack bat-signed my bat.
Basketball-Steve Kerr Bulls 1997-98 game used Finals jersey with Bulls coa. Signed.

[joelsabi]

A couple of my favorites are two of my earliest Marty Cordova items. The first is from the summer before he was a freshman in high school in 1984, playing in the Senior League Tournament - 7/14/84. His mother would pay kids to get his home run balls and she would calligraphy them in the stands. She might have been the Original Ballhawk! :cool:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb5.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb3.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb4.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCb2.jpg

The second is a "jersey" he wore the summer of 1987, after he graduated from high school. He toured Europe with the Baseball Ambassadors for 19 days. I also have his passport from the trip (not pictured):

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MC87s1.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCs2.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/MCs3.jpg



wow. this is super cool. how on earth did his mom give up those hr baseballs. very nice to have items before they were drafted.

[GarkoCollector]

I'm torn.
Its either my set of Game worn Team USA Ryan Garko uniforms:
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk301/GarkoCollector/Memorabilia/S1050001.jpg

or its my Jersey Ryan Garko wore in the College World Series for Stanford:
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk301/GarkoCollector/Memorabilia/stanfordGarko.jpg

[Ollie]

A bit of a toughie, I'm very pleased with the Betemit Uniform that I managed to piece together which he wore on the final game of the 08 season at Fenway complete with helmet, cleats and absolutely filthy pants and jersey but am gonna have to go with my my Mike Mussina uniform he wore on the day Moose struck out his 2500th K on June 25th of 06! Gave it to my Mom as a present, she loves the Moose!

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4530/moosegetty.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=moosegetty.jpg) http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6206/img0752w.jpg (http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0752w.jpg) http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/362/img0754.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0754.jpg) http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9615/img0758p.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0758p.jpg)

[hockeytigers]

This is one of my favorites...Jeff Feagles...worn on 11/28/2004 and he got crunched wearing this jersey! It has dirt stains that remain after being washed by the team. Has Giants LOA. I knew it was cool when I saw it in a picture, but it is an awesome jersey in person.

[tkweinstein]

Some great pieces and stories to go along with yout items! My most cherished piece is a foul hit baseball my then girlfriend, now wife, caught at a minor league game several years ago on our second date. She has it stored now in a safe deposit box at the local bank.

[ironmanfan]

Some great pieces and stories to go along with yout items! My most cherished piece is a foul hit baseball my then girlfriend, now wife, caught at a minor league game several years ago on our second date. She has it stored now in a safe deposit box at the local bank.

Why is that (minor league foul ball) ??? I think she'd want it displayed somewhere in your home..

[tkweinstein]

Why is that (minor league foul ball) ??? I think she'd want it displayed somewhere in your home..

Unfortunately, we don't live in the safest of neighborhoods and a couple of apartments in our building have been burgalrized over the years so she decided it would be more secured to have it stored in a safe deposit box. We're working on moving soon and hopefully a new location will allow for us to display it next to our wedding photos.

[rj_lucas]

Well, the poster isn’t game used, but the bat has got to be one of the best known game used items of the modern era.

My favorite items are those that are personalized or that I have a personal connection to. The stories behind the items are more valuable (to me) than the items themselves.

I’ve given several items to the Hall of Fame over the years, and in 1997 went to Cooperstown to produce a poster of George Brett’s pine tar bat in support of Brett’s charitable foundation.

According to the HOF curator, I was the first person to hold the pine tar bat (other than museum officials) since they had received it from Brett. Note the white gloves I’m wearing.

We actually brought a suitcase filled with infield dirt from Kaufman Stadium to use as the background for the poster, and were delayed before boarding the flight to Albany to explain to airport security why we were carrying a bag full of dirt.

We shot the bat at 1:1, so it’s displayed on the poster at actual size. The poster was produced in a limited edition of 317, with Brett signing each poster. Another photo from that same shoot is on page 66 of the book ‘George Brett: From Here to Cooperstown’.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[Yankeesfan09]

Amazing stuff everyone! Thanks to all who have shared so far.

[joelsabi]

Well, the poster isn’t game used, but the bat has got to be one of the best known game used items of the modern era.

My favorite items are those that are personalized or that I have a personal connection to. The stories behind the items are more valuable (to me) than the items themselves.

I’ve given several items to the Hall of Fame over the years, and in 1997 went to Cooperstown to produce a poster of George Brett’s pine tar bat in support of Brett’s charitable foundation.

According to the HOF curator, I was the first person to hold the pine tar bat (other than museum officials) since they had received it from Brett. Note the white gloves I’m wearing.

We actually brought a suitcase filled with infield dirt from Kaufman Stadium to use as the background for the poster, and were delayed before boarding the flight to Albany to explain to airport security why we were carrying a bag full of dirt.

We shot the bat at 1:1, so it’s displayed on the poster at actual size. The poster was produced in a limited edition of 317, with Brett signing each poster. Another photo from that same shoot is on page 66 of the book ‘George Brett: From Here to Cooperstown’.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

great story. how did the hof get it? i know it used to belong to barry halper.

[ironmanfan]

great story. how did the hof get it? i know it used to belong to barry halper.

Yes, Barry Halper did indeed own this bat at one time. However, there was some dissention in KC that a limited partner in the Yankees owned this piece of important Royals history memorabilia and Brett actually traded some things back to Barry (some of which was bogus; but that is a different story for another day) to get the PineTar bat back. At that point either Brett or the Royals donated it to Cooperstown....

[joelsabi]

Yes, Barry Halper did indeed own this bat at one time. However, there was some dissention in KC that a limited partner in the Yankees owned this piece of important Royals history memorabilia and Brett actually traded some things back to Barry (some of which was bogus; but that is a different story for another day) to get the PineTar bat back. At that point either Brett or the Royals donated it to Cooperstown....

Great gesture by Barry Halper. He was the consummate collector. Barry had a pine tar can and other items related to the game in a framed display that included the bat. Someone removed it from this display at some point.

[rj_lucas]

Yes, Barry Halper did indeed own this bat at one time. However, there was some dissention in KC that a limited partner in the Yankees owned this piece of important Royals history memorabilia and Brett actually traded some things back to Barry (some of which was bogus; but that is a different story for another day) to get the PineTar bat back. At that point either Brett or the Royals donated it to Cooperstown....

At the risk of risk of sounding like even more of a name dropper (ah, what the heck), Brett told me he hand delivered the bat to the HOF. To address any future questions about whether this was THE bat, he wrote the words "This is the pine tar bat" on the barrel.

He also told me, and I have never seen this story anywhere else, that in the dugout, as the bat was being examined, he said to his teammates "Watch this -- if they overturn it I'm going to go ape$3&!".

What's funny, according to Brett, is that he really wasn't that upset when the HR was overturned. But since he'd made that statement to his teammates, he felt like he needed to put on a show.

I don't know if that's true or not, but if it is, he should have won the Academy Award for Best Actor that year ;)

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[cordovacollector]

Can I post one more favorite? :o It's the only game worn football jersey I have. Sorry for poor quality photos. Camera is packed away in some unlabeled moving box and am trying to survive with cellphone.

Marty Cordova - 1987 Bishop Gorman football jersey - senior year of high school - special event jersey worn only in NV state championship game - he was defensive lineback and receiver

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/bg2.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/bg4.jpghttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/272818/bg3.jpg

[both-teams-played-hard]

Can I post one more favorite? :o It's the only game worn football jersey I have. Sorry for poor quality photos. Camera is packed away in some unlabeled moving box and am trying to survive with cellphone.

Marty Cordova - 1987 Bishop Gorman football jersey - senior year of high school - special event jersey worn only in NV state championship game - he was defensive lineback and receiver


Wow...Cordovacollector...you seem to have the Cordova Hall-of-Fame in your home!:)

[cordovacollector]

Wow...Cordovacollector...you seem to have the Cordova Hall-of-Fame in your home!:)

:cool: Thanks, BTPH ... been working on it since 1994. Most fun I have ever had in collecting. Have a lot of other collectors to thank that did a lot of hard work. There were about 5-10 major collectors of his items and eventually I was able to buy all their collections. Lots of patience but eventually they lost interest and knew I planned to keep it all together. They did a lot of hard work to get "stuff" and it is fun to keep it all together.

[gingi79]

I own a MeiGray registered Pavel Bure Jersey from their 94 Stanley Cup Final season. (Sorry, I still like typing that :p)

My fiance financed it and that's why it means so much. She found it on eBay, asked if it was worth the asking price and offered to pay for it. I flipped and offered to pay her back. She then said "I already paid" and smiled. God bless supportive women.

[stkmtimo]

:cool: Thanks, BTPH ... been working on it since 1994. Most fun I have ever had in collecting. Have a lot of other collectors to thank that did a lot of hard work. There were about 5-10 major collectors of his items and eventually I was able to buy all their collections. Lots of patience but eventually they lost interest and knew I planned to keep it all together. They did a lot of hard work to get "stuff" and it is fun to keep it all together.

Great Cordova pieces! Do you know how the other collectors obtained some of those one of a kind items? I'm guessing they talked with Cordova directly or with his family since those are some awesome pieces.

Tim

[David]

1866 etched silver belt buckle given as award to a player. Back in those days, the belt and buckle was a primary identifier to a team, so a buckle was natural as an award.

http://cycleback.com/buckle.jpg

[cordovacollector]

Great Cordova pieces! Do you know how the other collectors obtained some of those one of a kind items? I'm guessing they talked with Cordova directly or with his family since those are some awesome pieces.

Hi Tim ~ Actually, about six of us were collecting seriously at the same time since about 1994, what one would miss the others would find. Early on his brother set up a website for him and they found a box in the family garage. Marty had no interest in keeping "stuff" so about a dozen very early items were sold on the website to help fund it.

Glad to hear someone else appreciates the collection. Marty had absolutely no ego tied up in his stuff - and actually I think he thought we were all a bit daft in collecting it. :o The Twins Pro Shops were a great source for major and minor league items, Sports Collectors Digest was nearly a catalog every week, and as the internet and eBay came along, we all had a great time finding things. And, oh, things were much cheaper then! Eventually it all landed in one place. Down the road if Marty or his family ever have regrets in not saving things, I plan to just give it all back to them. The fun is the hunt, not just the owning.

[cordovacollector]

1866 etched silver belt buckle given as award to a player. Back in those days, the belt and buckle was a primary identifier to a team, so a buckle was natural as an award.

http://cycleback.com/buckle.jpg

David ~ Can I interest you in trading that buckle for my entire collection ... and my house? It would fit in real well with a certain Larry Doby glove .... oh well. :D Now THAT is a FINE baseball masterpiece for any collection. Got an interesting story behind acquiring it?

[David]

This was my all time favorite baseball item, but, alas, I sold it. It's an 1896 full sized baseball bat handmade, inscribed and dated in Maine State Prison by a prisoner serving a life sentence. The bat has rings hand cut into the barrel and the original prison decal. After I bought it I showed it to director of the prison museum and she said it was the real deal and the prison had a woodworking shop for prisoners. The bat is near mint but the original suede carrying case is tattered.


http://cycleback.com/lifer.jpg




http://www.lelands.com/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/212/popups/C15024.jpg


http://cycleback.com/lifer2.jpg

[BULBUS]

Posted a before, but this is my favorite, 1987 Mattingly gamer:

21617

21618

[JETEFAN]

Posted a before, but this is my favorite, 1987 Mattingly gamer:

25044

25045

Hey Bulbus how did I miss this beauty..:p Great bat !!!

George

[BULBUS]

Hey Bulbus how did I miss this beauty..:p Great bat !!!

George


Hey George,

I scored this bat on Ebay about 3-4 years ago. The 1k bin price was very reasonable, but I was able to get the person to end the auction for a better price.

Take care,
Chris

[Mr.3000]

I'm torn.
Its either my set of Game worn Team USA Ryan Garko uniforms:
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk301/GarkoCollector/Memorabilia/S1050001.jpg

or its my Jersey Ryan Garko wore in the College World Series for Stanford:
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk301/GarkoCollector/Memorabilia/stanfordGarko.jpg



I put in more than a few bids for those Team USA uni's.

[xpress34]

One of my favs for a number of reasons...

#1 - Nolan is my All Time Guy

#2 - This is a ONE of a KIND - I personally hand turned this Maple Bat while working for Rawlings and laid out the inscription and burned it all in myself.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Memorabilia/Bats/RyanAUCustom1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Memorabilia/Bats/RyanAUCustom2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Memorabilia/Bats/RyanAUCustom3.jpg

This was the day at Surprise Stadium at 2008 Spring Training when Nolan signed the bat for me...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Me%20and/DSC00879.jpg

The link below is a VIDEO record of Nolan signing the bat:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Me%20and/?action=view&current=MOV00878.flv

Enjoy -

Chris

[rj_lucas]

Chris, to have an item created with your own hands like that is awesome. You inspired me to post another item, also created by hand, from my collection. In 1990, my wife painted a watercolor of Mickey Mantle for my 30th birthday, and he signed it later that year.

Not only did he not hesitate to sign a piece of personal art, Mantle was exceeding gracious. He studied the painting for a minute, took his time to apply an extra large signature, and said to my wife "Did you paint that? That's really good."

It's always nice when a boyhood hero knocks another one out of the park...

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[ironmanfan]

It's a toss up for me bewteen Cal Ripken's locker nameplate from the 1988 season (which he personally gave me after the last home game that season) or the umpires copy of the lineup card from May 30, 1982 which just happened to be the first game of his 2632 consecutive game streak....

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/whhp72/Game%20Used/Disney2006001.jpghttp://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/whhp72/Game%20Used/may30.jpg

[mikey68]

Matt Forte (Tulane Green Wave) freshman jersey. The only one to survive from the hurricane. ABSOLUTELY SHATTERED!

I'm glad the Forte jersey found a good home and it looks sweet on the mannequin. I used to have this same jersey and it was difficult to part with. What makes this hobby so much fun is parting with one cool item and then picking up something else that's great.

[mikey68]

Since I'm a die-hard Saints fan, my favorite game used jersey would be my 1984 game used John Hill jersey, which I've photo-matched from an old Saints calendar. The only problem with it is the name-plate was removed back in the 80's, but it's got some serious use, stains and repairs. Btw, John Hill was the center for the Saints when Archie Manning played, but in '84 Richard Todd was the QB.

[cigarman44]

Still my favorite piece...

2000 signed Rawlings glove. Might be from his first career win.

[karamaxjoe]

Anyone seen another pair in a private collection? I'm always interested.

[Bondsgloves]

My Game used Bonds Rookie Glove Photo matched. I also like my other four game gloves 1994 game used photo matched , 1998 game used photo matched, 1999 game issued, 2000 game used photo matched.
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3797/7/58/92/65/32/9/932659258705_0_ALB.jpg
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3797/7/58/92/84/79/3/379849258705_0_ALB.jpg
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3797/7/58/92/11/74/2/274119258705_0_ALB.jpg
http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos3797/7/58/92/66/9/1/109669258705_0_ALB.jpg

[jetersbatboy]

This is my favorite piece, my 2007 signed Ichiro gamer. Which I almost had to part with a couple of months ago, to pay mean old Uncle Sam!!! BUT I STILL HAVE IT!!!!:D :D Sold everything else but.

[TriplexXxSports]

I'm glad the Forte jersey found a good home and it looks sweet on the mannequin. I used to have this same jersey and it was difficult to part with. What makes this hobby so much fun is parting with one cool item and then picking up something else that's great.


Mikey,

I'm interested in getting more history on this piece! E-mail me.........

TriplexXxSports@yahoo.com

[cordovacollector]

This was my all time favorite baseball item, but, alas, I sold it. It's an 1896 full sized baseball bat handmade, inscribed and dated in Maine State Prison by a prisoner serving a life sentence. The bat has rings hand cut into the barrel and the original prison decal. After I bought it I showed it to director of the prison museum and she said it was the real deal and the prison had a woodworking shop for prisoners. The bat is near mint but the original suede carrying case is tattered.


http://cycleback.com/lifer.jpg




http://www.lelands.com/App_Themes/Images/Auctions_Images/212/popups/C15024.jpg


http://cycleback.com/lifer2.jpg

Dave ~

Was just admiring this former bat of yours again. Did you ever figure out what kind of wood that is with all swirling? Doesn't look like oak, ash, or any modern bat wood. Not really a curly maple, or is it?

Handsome indeed.

[joelsabi]

I'm not sure this qualifies as "game used," but the favorite item in my collection is the locker name plate that Cal gave me after the last home game of the '88 season...It was really the only item I had the balls to ask him for, but he gladly complied. Some of the younger collectors will probably be surprised to see an actual nameplate devoid of holograms, multiple colors, etc.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/whhp72/Game%20Used/Disney2006001.jpg

I noticed that there is a similar Jim Palmer nameplate in the Baltimore display in the HOF.

[legaleagle92481]

mariano riveria gu pinstriped 2010 home jersey i just get the chills looking at it. the pin stripes and the fact that mo wore it when he was saving games.

[BIGSTIG]

My Rick Sutcliffe game used late 80's glove.