Need Help--1995 Helmet Question--Yankees

[sctizzle]

If anyone has any information they can provide, please let me know.

I recently purchased a #26 Helmet from Steiner Sports. The inside date says it was manufactured in February of 1995. Going by the roster, Darryl Strawberry would have worn this as he was #26 in 1995 and was a lefty. (This helmet is lefty) The helmet shows nice use, but not a seasons worth of use. The inside padding shows heavier use from sweat, and some pine tar on the outside and inside brim, but not a lot by any means. It has an M inside the helmet, which I would assume is Medium. Can anyone confirm what size hat a Medium helmet would be in 1995? In talking with Jason, the forums expert Strawberry collector, he said that he believed Straw was wearing around a 7 3/8 hat. Would a medium be a 7 3/8? I searched online for photos, but came up with only decent photo. You can't tell use in the photo due to the glare. Can anyone provide additional photos of Straw in 95 or at least shed some light on helmet sizing in 1995?

Thanks for your help!
Scott (sjyr@aol.com)

Here are a few photos. If anyone needs additional photos, please e-mail me.

http://members.aol.com/sjnyr/straw1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/sjnyr/straw2.jpg
http://members.aol.com/sjnyr/straw3.jpg

[hblakewolf]

I've sold hundreds of helmets from the mid 1990's, and this is the first I've ever seen that has a size Medium sticker. EVERY helmet I've sold was a true size (i.e., 7 1/2, 7 1/4. etc.).

Are you sure there is no size tag present or is it possible it was removed?

Thanks.
Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[sctizzle]

Howard,

There is not a medium sticker inside--there is an M inside the helmet almost engraved in the same fashion as the manufactuing date is...just a raised M

Here are photos of the inside of the helmet, which shows the stickers inside, one of which is half peeled away. I am guessing this was the size sticker?

Thanks,
Scott

http://members.aol.com/sjnyr/inside.jpg

[hblakewolf]

Whew! The helmet tagging is correct, althoug as you note, the size tag is not present. The M stands for MEDIUM shell. Most players wear a medium shell, although a few wear Large. I've never seen a small.

Hope this helps.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[sctizzle]

Howard,

Thanks for your help. Now my next step is determining what year it was used. It was made in 1995--how long would the Yankees have this helmet in their inventory before using it? In 1996 and 97 Andy Fox was wearing #26 and also a lefty. Late in the 1995 season, Strawberry joined the Yankees and was #26...

Anyone have any ideas to determine whose it is?

Thanks,
Scott

[hblakewolf]

Scott-
A friend of mine who is well versed in Yankees equipment indicated that he believes the helmet is from 1996, as the number style was exclusive to that season. If that's the case, it was worn by Fox.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[suave1477]

Howard I am curious and I am not asking this sarcastically I am being serious. With that info your friend gave you, are you pretty confident in his opinion?

[sctizzle]

Howard,

Thanks for your help...Now I just need to find photos to show Fox during the 96 season.

I never realized the number style was unique to different seasons...

Scott