Help with a McGriff 1997 Braves jersey

[Flamechicken]

Hello, I'm new to posting, but I've been a member for about a year so i've read up on this as much as I could. I was hoping that I could get some opinions on a "game worn" 1997 McGriff Braves away jersey that I recently purchased. There are a few points that lead me to believe that this is a true McGriff jersey (ie: correct size, 2" inch length added.)

One of my concerns involves the Russell tagging, which through searching this board appears to be from 1992. My other concern is about the relative crispness of the "100% polyester" tag and the "2 inch added length tag." Other McGriff jerseys I have, from 1993 and 2001 show at least a little curling of these tags. My last concern is in regards to the inside stitching of the nameplate. I found another post which shows white thread, whereas this has grey thread.

Any help and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh272/mturnerphotos/McGriff%20Game%20Worn/IMG_0212.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh272/mturnerphotos/McGriff%20Game%20Worn/IMG_0210.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh272/mturnerphotos/McGriff%20Game%20Worn/IMG_0208.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh272/mturnerphotos/McGriff%20Game%20Worn/IMG_0207.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh272/mturnerphotos/McGriff%20Game%20Worn/IMG_0205.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh272/mturnerphotos/McGriff%20Game%20Worn/IMG_0202.jpg

[apfriz]

I have a 97 maddux and quick inspection seems to be identical to yours with regard to stitching....looks grey to me!

[Lokee]

Looks to be more on the "issued" than "game worn" side. The tags being crisp is the first thing to look at.

[FastLane80]

I wouldn't worry too much about the older Russell tag. I've seen a lot of legit '97 and '98 jerseys with those.

[sox83cubs84]

I second Fastlane's analysis. The 1992 Russell tag has popped up as late as 1998, and, while very unusual, is something I've seen on a half-dozen or so 1997 gamers/game-issued. The crisp tags are my only worry, but, as stated by Lokee, the worst-case scenario is that it's possibly game-issued, not game-used. Still, it's NOT a fake, is definitely team-issued, and, if the price is right, would still be a worthy pickup.

Dave Miedema

[Flamechicken]

Thanks for the help. It was my feeling that it was team issued as well, as it doesn't show much piling, etc. I appreciate it.

[Flamechicken]

I've done all I can to find good photos of McGriff from the 1997 season (Getty, APImages, Google, etc) to try and photo-match the jersey.

If anyone has other sites/suggestions or images of McGriff from the 1997 season, I would love to see them.

Thanks

[slab0meat]

I have a retail Braves McGriff, and just noticed something with your jersey, and Getty confirmed it... the home jersey has the "c" of McGriff up high, and the road jersey, it's down low... very strange, as I was about to comment on that making yours questionable. Yet, that's the way it was.

[slab0meat]

And, I just noticed in 1996, both jerseys "c's" were up high.. in 1997, the road "c" was low, as said... odd.

[Flamechicken]

That is something I've noticed as well. This is also the case for his jerseys from Tampa Bay and i believe Chicago...very strange indeed.