Ryne Sandberg Used Cleats - Help Identifying?

[mcastellon]

Hello! This is my first time posting in this great forum. I could use a little expert advice from the community.

I recently purchased this pair of Ryne Sandberg game worn cleats. They're size 9.5, and show light to moderate use, even what appears to be red clay/dirt on their soles.

However, I've had trouble pinning down what year they might be from. I've searched for these Nike Pro cleats, and can't quite pinpoint from what era they might be from. Any thoughts on what year?

Second, any thoughts on what the best service would be to have these authenticated?

[mcastellon]

And here's a photo of the bottom, if that helps with identification.

[JDubbs73]

Congrats, and welcome! I'll preface by saying that I don't collect baseball. I looked through Getty Images a bit and they seem very close to a pair he is shown wearing in May 1993. I've included a few links below:

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/second-baseman-ryne-sandberg-of-the-chicago-cubs-swings-at-news-photo/1402853

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/second-baseman-ryne-sandberg-of-the-chicago-cubs-stands-on-news-photo/1402842

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/second-baseman-ryne-sandberg-of-the-chicago-cubs-swings-at-news-photo/1402801

I'm sure the baseball folks can point you to an authenticator, but I would imagine that Mears could be of assistance. How did you acquire them?

[mcastellon]

Congrats, and welcome! I'll preface by saying that I don't collect baseball. I looked through Getty Images a bit and they seem very close to a pair he is shown wearing in May 1993. I've included a few links below:

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/second-baseman-ryne-sandberg-of-the-chicago-cubs-stands-on-news-photo/1402842


Wow, Jason. Nice work. I'm looking very closely at the 1402842 photo in particular. Not only do they look like the same model of shoe, but they have similar wear markings. Zooming in, it even looks like the same silver ink on the lace flap of the left shoe, also, with Sandberg's name. The wear on the inside toe of the right shoe also looks similar to my pair. I may just be seeing what I WANT to see, though :)

That said, there's also some sort of black markings on the Swoosh in the photograph that I don't see on my pair.

I purchased these as part of a small lot Cubs memorabilia. I've collected Sandberg over the years, but never game used. This is my first GU "Find" of any significance.

Mears just a few minutes ago quoted a price of $150 to authenticate. May go with that, unless I get any other feedback from forum members.

Here are two photos of the shoes positioned in a manner mirroring the photo.

[JDubbs73]

That said, there's also some sort of black markings on the Swoosh in the photograph that I don't see on my pair.
Are you talking about the swoosh on the sides of the cleats? I took that to be the break caused by the blue leather overlap and not a marking.

FWIW, some on this forum have access to Getty. They may be able to help you in purchasing a higher resolution photo. Best of luck!

[mcastellon]

Are you talking about the swoosh on the sides of the cleats? I took that to be the break caused by the blue leather overlap and not a marking.

You're right. I think it's just the natural break in the pattern. From Getty, I've isolated some pretty convincing photos.

A few photos in the 1993 section of the Getty search you provided are not only convincing, but they appear to be exact matches. If anyone can help secure a full res Getty image, I'd be ecstatic.

[AstrosGU]

mcastellon - shoot me an email!

[Hoosier39]

There should be a bunch of numbers inside the tongue, that will tell you when the shoes were made.

[mcastellon]

There should be a bunch of numbers inside the tongue, that will tell you when the shoes were made.


I see numbers on inside heel of each shoe. "Made in China. 920112 LN 2." Then in that box is the sizing information for the US and other countries, and then: "515020 410 00".

Below that is a long patent number.

[BIGSTIG]

IN MY OPINION....Those are definately Ryno cleats. I believe the numbers mean 92 (year) 01 (month) 12 (date)

So being worn in 93 makes sense.

The cursive writing on the tongue are exactly like walton and sutcliffe cleats I own. Some call it "Yosh" writting.

Hope that helps. They are beauties, if you ever move them, keep me in mind.

[BIGSTIG]

Sorry flip flop day and month.

Made 12/01/92

I BELIEVE!!!

[mcastellon]

IN MY OPINION....Those are definately Ryno cleats. I believe the numbers mean 92 (year) 01 (month) 12 (date)

So being worn in 93 makes sense.

The cursive writing on the tongue are exactly like walton and sutcliffe cleats I own. Some call it "Yosh" writting.

Hope that helps. They are beauties, if you ever move them, keep me in mind.

Thanks for the input! It's really nice to have a year and season to reference.

I wouldn't mind getting these signed someday.

[BU54CB]

Great cleats, even better to have a nice photo match. His signature would be a great addition. He usually signs at the Sun Times shows in Chicago.

I'd love to get a GU item of Sandberg someday, thanks for sharing.

[joelsabi]

Wow, Jason. Nice work. I'm looking very closely at the 1402842 photo in particular. Not only do they look like the same model of shoe, but they have similar wear markings. Zooming in, it even looks like the same silver ink on the lace flap of the left shoe, also, with Sandberg's name. The wear on the inside toe of the right shoe also looks similar to my pair. I may just be seeing what I WANT to see, though :)

That said, there's also some sort of black markings on the Swoosh in the photograph that I don't see on my pair.

I purchased these as part of a small lot Cubs memorabilia. I've collected Sandberg over the years, but never game used. This is my first GU "Find" of any significance.

Mears just a few minutes ago quoted a price of $150 to authenticate. May go with that, unless I get any other feedback from forum members.

Here are two photos of the shoes positioned in a manner mirroring the photo.

you have photo of the tag inside the cleats. it should date the cleats.

[jbean023]

mcastellon welcome to the forum! If you wouldn't mind please shoot me an email I would appreciate it.

[joelsabi]

Sorry flip flop day and month.

Made 12/01/92

I BELIEVE!!!

you had it correct the first time 1/12/92

[mcastellon]

you have photo of the tag inside the cleats. it should date the cleats.

Thanks. With the help of Bigstig and Hoosier39, I determined these were manufactured by Nike in December of 1992, which supports the May 1993 photo match.

[twarman17]

I have Sandberg's 1992 home set 1 pants if a Ryno collector is looking to put a uni together. Message me if interested.

Awesome cleats, those are definitely Yosh markings.

[Hoosier39]

Damn, used us to sell them. Next time do your own photo matching, etc...

[Hoosier39]

Damn, used us to sell them. Next time do your own photo matching, etc...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ryne-Sandberg-Game-Used-and-Worn-Cleats-With-Photo-Match-1992-1993-/281248970817?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417bbeb841

[Phil316]

Well it wouldn't be the first time this has happened. What a bargain too lmao.

[nycpropain]

Damn, used us to sell them. Next time do your own photo matching, etc...

This is the exaxct reason I stopped helping the new fly by night members. They use the place like a tissue and toss it aside for profit. They always seem to "collect"these players until of course a style match is had. Then lie about it being a photomatch when there is none at all.

[nycpropain]

Are the 2 8x10s stolen getty images?

[Phil316]

Looks like he bought the 2 8X10's

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380786751803

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380786751593

[Hoosier39]

I have zero problem with someone wanting to make a buck. None at all. But at least be upfront about it in the beginning, like a...

"Hey guys, just got these cleats of Ryno, I dont plan on keeping them and will sell them soon, but I dont know a damn thing about what I'm talking about. Could you lend a hand?"

Otherwise it leaves a sour taste in your mouth that you basically used everyone to make a buck. Doing stuff like that wont get you far.

Not that I did much, but I personally will never help you again.

[JDubbs73]

Agree with the "be upfront" comment...disappointing...

[thelesquad]

I'm a big Ryno fan and am thinking about venturing into the game used world (have always been a card and oddball collector). What is a realistic price for the cleats? I offered $500 and he countered with $1000.

[twarman17]

I'm a big Ryno fan and am thinking about venturing into the game used world (have always been a card and oddball collector). What is a realistic price for the cleats? I offered $500 and he countered with $1000.

In my non-expert opinion, $575-600 for those.

[Hoosier39]

I'm a big Ryno fan and am thinking about venturing into the game used world (have always been a card and oddball collector). What is a realistic price for the cleats? I offered $500 and he countered with $1000.

If he countered with $1,000, then I would walk away. If anyone actually accepts the $1,000 offer, then he all owns the people that did his research for him a share of the profit.

[jbean023]

I'm a big Ryno fan and am thinking about venturing into the game used world (have always been a card and oddball collector). What is a realistic price for the cleats? I offered $500 and he countered with $1000.

Last few auctioned at large auction houses with heavy use went for less than $500.

[indyred]

I'd say few hundred tops.

[Hoosier39]

I'd say few hundred tops.

Somewhere around there. For $1,000 you could buy one of his bats, and then some.

I don't buy many cleats, but $1,000 isn't even close to a realistic price.

[thelesquad]

Thanks! I thought my $500 was a pretty good offer. Looks like the listing has been pulled.

[Hoosier39]

Thanks! I thought my $500 was a pretty good offer. Looks like the listing has been pulled.

$500 is not a bad offer at all. I'd be offended by a counteroffer of $1,000. Just way too much

[Phil316]

I could not agree more. Those cleats are worth 500 to 600 on a good day. This is a classic case over over valuing an item. You see this all day on ebay.