Yankees Batting Helmets Numbering?

[Eric]

Can anyone tell me when the Yankees used this skinnier font on their batting helmets, as opposed to the thicker numbering in the 2005 photo

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/pics/26452_lg.jpg

2005 photo
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/52830617.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939847EC77F5F8D1CEC9B6C807266C33DD

[suave1477]

Eric I dont know but cool photo of Tino!!!

[BULBUS]

eric,
at that angle, its hard to see the difference. the one pictured, in AM's auctions, looks good to me, but has light use.

[skipcareyisfat]

I found a few pics of Yanks helmets, past and present, and it looks like the Yankees haven't always been consistent with the types of numbering they use. The pic of helmets in the rack is from 2005. I'm pretty sure I can see two number styles there. The second one is from 1997. All of the numbers, including Tino's 24, are the wider, thicker versions. The last pic is from the late 70s. Almost every helmet has a different, if any, numbering style.

Jason

[Eric]

The tape job on some of those 70s helmets reminds me of a Reggie Jackson helmet being offered on Grey Flannel

http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/lotimages/1090_a.jpg

[Eric]

Here's two different fonts from Steiner Sports that they are selling as 2004 helmets
http://www.steinersports.com/ssm/p/01/500/01500_200411950710000060.jpg
Here's a Ruben Sierra from 2004
http://www.steinersports.com/ssm/p/01/500/01500_200411950700000024.jpg

[skipcareyisfat]

I saw that Jackson helmet too. Aside from the old-looking tape, it looks unworn to me. Although it appears to be a correct model in terms of ABC stickers. If I was interested in bidding on it, I'd want to know about the top, inside padding. From what I've heard, Jackson used to remove that padding becuase of his hair. My guess is that this would include his Yanks tenure. The handwritten 44s look new as well. If it does indeed show "nice game use" as described, I would expect the "44" on the inside padding to be lighter and maybe even smudged since it's on a piece of padding that would've rested against the back of his head. I'm definitely NOT saying it's a bad piece. Those are just questions that I would ask myself/Grey Flannel.