Mark McGwire Gamer???

[DoctorLoomis]

Guys, if this is a truly legit 1998 gamer shouldn't it have the custom "straight" hemmed bottom?

http://catalog.scpauctions.com/1998_...-LOT30581.aspx

[GoCrazyFolks76]

Jeff knows a thing or two about Cardinals game used equipment, and thinks it's probably just a giveaway:

http://webpages.charter.net/birdbats/Birdbats/index.htm

[Birdbats]

Other than the hem, the other curious thing is the autograph notation. Mac didn't sign "70" until after the season... so that likely rules out an in-season swap of jerseys with Tony, when Mac would have added the "STL 25" notation. I can't say with certainty -- who can? -- but I have to believe the odds are greater that this is one of the extras Mark had made to give away vs. an actual '98 gamer.

[onlyalbert]

What about the 98 road in SCP. That one looks the most promising.

[BirdsOnBat]

What about the 98 road in SCP. That one looks the most promising.

The number spacing is incorrect.

[Birdbats]

Yes, the numbers on the back of this jersey are way too close together. They should be the thickness of a number apart. Look at photos of Mac in '98 -- it's obvious. This is a common mistake made by forgers -- they use the template employed by the team in later years; but in '98, the numbers were much farther apart.