MLB Specially Marked Balls

[gnishiyama]

Hello,
Does anyone know when MLB started using specially-marked
baseballs for a player's at-bat when he was closing in on a milestone
or record? I know they used it as far back as Bonds HR chase in 2001.
Did they use it during Sosa and McGwire's HR chase back in 1998?
To show an example, I have attached an image of a ball used during Jeter's
chase of Gehrig's Yankees hit record.

Thanks
Goh Nishiyama

[allstarsplus]

Back in 2004 when Bonds hit his 700th HR they were marking them with black sharpie.

42210

[mlupo]

I could be wrong, but I thought I remember hearing that they used balls marked with invisible ink when McGwire was shooting for 61 and 62 in 1998. I think it was the type of ink that could only be seen under a special light. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[ballhawknet]

I could be wrong, but I thought I remember hearing that they used balls marked with invisible ink when McGwire was shooting for 61 and 62 in 1998. I think it was the type of ink that could only be seen under a special light. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.


Yes , I remember that they were using marked baseballs for , i think . 58 and up. Sammy didn't have any of his marked until after he got to 62 , which wasn't marked . All of the remaining hrs from the two were marked with numbers on them , along with I believe a invisible marking of some sort.

If I remember correctly Mcgwires final hr was marked with # 73 .

BTW , my Bonds 752 ball pictured below had two sets of numbers and an invisible marked which started to show ( above and to the left of the *official * ) after about 2 weeks. (and here is the video if your interested :) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6525788014502358977#


BTW # 2 - whats with the 3 stickers on the Jeter ball !! Nice item , but god that's ugly and pointless to have three stickers ...all you need is the mlb one , id take the other 2 off :)

[coxfan]

The "D 3" on the Jeter ball is interesting, because a similar thing was done for Sosa as he approached 600 HR's. I bought the one marked "S 160" which turned out to be his last home-field base hit (a single) before 600. ( This was in 2007).

In addition to the black "S" markings, there were regular MLB holograms. The "S" balls were listed in a single hologram sequence over several games, so I was able to track them until the sequences changed. Many of the other "S" balls in the hologram sequence were just flyouts or even used during strikeouts of Sosa.

One question I still have: Were these obvious "S" or "D" markings applied before or after they were taken out of play? Does anybody know?

[4cuda9er]

ballhawknet

Nice ball !!! Video is excellent, and shows the excitement of the moment, and authenticates your involvement perfectly..Some fans are just lucky and in the right spot to get a HR, but u have made a profession out ballhawking, and very good at it..

Gary

[gnishiyama]

Thanks everyone for their input. Somewhere along in there my question
was answered because I wanted to know specifically if these balls
were used prior to 2001 and the only meaningful event I can recall
was McGwire and Sosa's HR derby in 1998.

As for the 3 stickers, I can't agree more but the MLB hologram
and Steiner GU stickers were on there when I purchased them
and later it got another sticker from Steiner when I got it signed
by Jeter. He signed on the side panel below the Old Yankee Stadium
logo so none of the stickers show and it displays quite nice.

Thanks again
Goh

[10thMan]

Goh, Good thread!

Is this ball possibly marked with something invisable, from MLB? I know PSA prolly marked it.


Thanks,

Sean

[gnishiyama]

Sean,
If the autograph is authenticated by PSA/DNA it should have their
unique DNA ink to verify the autograph's legitimacy but I am not sure
if it has or was supposed to be specially marked from MLB to verify it was
used in the particular game. I would assume even if it were, it would
have to be used in McGwires at-bat to be specially marked.

Long story short that I posted a couple years back here; I received
an Ichiro specially marked ball that he hit for a foul ball into the stands
while he was chasing Sisler's single season hit record in 2004. The ball
was specially marked so I was confident of its legitimacy but I wanted
to take it one step further so I sent it to MLB. After months of waiting
the ball came back MLB authenticated down to the exact date the
game the ball was used in.

Although they wouldn't give me details, I was told by MLB that the number
on the ball only tells half the story of the ball's legitimacy. Each specially
marked ball is dabbed with invisible ink in their own proprietary method so
they can verify each ball and match it with the number stamped on the ball
to confirm its authenticity.

Sounds like a lot for nothing but with record breaking balls going into
6-7 figures I think its a great and also makes for a unique and cool
collectible.

Goh

[xpress34]

Just an FYI on this thread for those of you that own a blacklight.

Take some of your balls into a darkened room and turn on the blacklight... you might be surprised at the results.

Most all of the 'stitch' balls that I sold last year (Goh - I believe you bought 2 or 3) have some type of invisible phosphorous marking on them from Rawlings that will glow under a blacklight.

Many balls are marked in manufacturing for whether they are marked for MLB use or retail.

Check it out.

- Smitty

[gnishiyama]

Smitty,
Yes I have done that and its amazing some of the stuff you see.
Some have more than others.

I haven't done it with the stitch balls or regular balls. Thanks again on those too!
They made great gifts for a couple customers of mine and
I have one displayed in one of those Steiner glass ball cases and it
looks great!
I wish I can get my hands on more of those!

Goh