I picked up 12 Game Used Minor League Baseall uniforms, asking for advice/info

[KrAzY3]

I came across a startling discovery yesterday. In a thrift store I discovered 12 autographed, game used jerseys from the Mobile Bay Bears (double AA MLB affiliate). They were from 1997-2007 and with one exception (Jake Peavy road jersey) they were special alternates (throw backs, pink jerseys, that type of stuff). All of the rest (except for a coach and another Peavy) were career minor leaguers. I didn't think to look for pants but I doubt they were there, I'll make a point of checking that next time I'm there.

I learned to search for jerseys at thrift stores when I discovered a Senior Bowl AJ Hawk practice jersey (not used at all to my knowledge since he never actually played in the game, I was a moron and left two old heavily used practice uniforms with no names). Since then I've been keeping a eye out and I previously found a autographed baseball (or softball) jersey of Fernando Bryant (NFL player) from a charity game.

Another interesting side story is that I worked for the Mobile Bay Bears in 1997 as a bat boy and I could identify one style jersey from the year I was there (not a player I was friends with but still cool). One regret I've had is not finding a way to keep my #1 home jersey from the inaugural season. I was able to wear it after the player who had it was traded and I probably should have just worn it home after the last game. Ironically the only memorabilia I managed to keep was a autographed baseball from a player who never fully recovered from injury (Terrell Wade) and a few signed cards. I probably had the entire team sign a ball or a picture 100 times (for charity or the like) but I thought it was unprofessional to ask for stuff personally.

Anyway, now that I have these I have no real idea what to do with them. Do I frame them? How do I store them? Should I look into trading some for other jerseys or something (since I have three of three different styles)? None of these have COAs but they are all obviously authentic. Should I try to contact the Bay Bears for more information?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just really excited about my finds and not really sure what I have on my hands.

[xpress34]

I'd love to see pics of the Peavy's... a guy I chase auto's with here in Denver has a daughter who is IN LOVE w/ Jake... she actually makes him Birthday cards every year and he has given her hats, jerseys, etc - but I'm sure one of these would be extra special - if you are ever thinking of getting rid of one...

All the best -

Chris

[godwulf]

Congatulations on living one of a game-used collector's favorite daydreams!

Please contact me before selling or auctioning any of the 2007 jerseys, as I can just about guarantee you that I will give you a better offer than anyone else, obsessed Diamondbacks fan that I am. :D

godwulf1@cox.net

Jeff

[buckeyegamers]

If you ever consider parting with the AJ Hawk please let me know. My screen name says it all :D

[KrAzY3]

I'd love to see pics of the Peavy's... a guy I chase auto's with here in Denver has a daughter who is IN LOVE w/ Jake... if you are ever thinking of getting rid of one...

I probably want to keep one for myself, but I've been a long time collector of cards (not the best stuff since for years it was just stuff I pulled from crappy early 90s packs) and I'm not 100% sure if I'm going to collect jersey's or not. You will be the first one I contact about the Peavy's if I do decide to get rid of one but I want to do more homework before I do anything.

I will take picks of all of them though and post them here though. I appreciate the interest.


Congatulations on living one of a game-used collector's favorite daydreams!

Please contact me before selling or auctioning any of the 2007 jerseys

Thanks, I was waiting on my wife (she spotted some as well) carrying the jersey's around looking like a kid on Christmas. I still want to take a little time to try to educate myself but if I decide to part with them I'll look you up.


If you ever consider parting with the AJ Hawk please let me know. My screen name says it all :D

The people who posted in this thread will get first shot if I do decide to part with any of these. I'll also post a picture of it later.

[cordovacollector]

Great find! And a good reminder that I need to start visiting a few places again that I had long forgotten! Add me to your list of interested buyers.

[KrAzY3]

If anyone notices any errors in the details I provided or has any advice or information it would be appreciated. The pictures are not the best, if anyone is interested I can post close-ups of the autographs as well (all except the Hawk are autographed). Anyway, here they are:

Jim Bowie #33 BayBears Wave Alternate 1997: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bowiewave.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bowiewave_b.jpg)
From what I recall the Wave jersey was a alternate home jersey.

Rick Prieto #7 BayBears Wave Alternate 1998?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/prietowave.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/prietowave_b.jpg)
It could be a 1999 but not sure if how long they used these alternates.

Ethan Faggett #24 BayBears Wave Alternate 1998?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/faggettwave.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/faggettwave_b.jpg)
It could be as late as 2000.

John Powers #4 Baybears Parrot 1998?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/powersparrot.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/powersparrot_b.jpg)
It could be 2000 or 2001 as well but they did some Parrothead stuff when I was there.

Jake Peavy #22 BayBears Road Uniform 2001?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2001road.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2001road_b.jpg)
I'm almost positive it is 2001 because I can barely see what used to be a 6 on the back.

Jake Peavy #44 Baybears Breast Cancer Awareness 2004?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2004.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2004_b.jpg)
I think this is from his rehab assignment because he had to change his number to #44.

Ryan Meaux #29 Baybears Breast Cancer Awareness 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/meaux2006.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/meaux2006_b.jpg)
Only one of the three that's a player.

Arnie Beyeler #23 BayBears Breast Cancer Awareness 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/beyeler2006.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/beyeler2006_b.jpg)
Hitting Coach

Glenn Abbott #35 BayBears Breast Cancer Awareness 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/glennabbott2006.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/glennabbott2006_b.jpg)
Pitching Coach and former MLB pitcher

Javier Brito #36 Baybears Oyster Grabbers Alternate 2007: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/britooyster.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/britooyster_b.jpg)
The Oyster Grabbers were a team that played in Mobile in 1903

Wilkin Castillo #11 Baybears Oyster Grabbers Alternate 2007: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/castillooyster.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/castillooyster_b.jpg)
They were auctioned off online as a local radio station sponsored event.

Ronnie Merrill #7 Baybears Oyster Grabbers Alternate 2007: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/merrilloyster.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/merrilloyster_b.jpg)
I got a lot of autograph requests when I was a batboy. I tried to make my autograph unidentifiable.

Fernando Bryant #25 Charity Jersey: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bryantcharity.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bryantcharity_b.jpg)
This was from a different thrift store. Haven't found out more info.

AJ Hawk #47 Senior Bowl Practice Jersey 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/hawksenior.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/hawksenior_b.jpg)
As far as I know he never wore it. I also don't think they ever made his actual Senior Bowl Jersey. I've never as much as seen a picture of the practice jerseys, only was able to find video of other players wearing theirs.

[Rob L]

If anyone notices any errors in the details I provided or has any advice or information it would be appreciated. The pictures are not the best, if anyone is interested I can post close-ups of the autographs as well (all except the Hawk are autographed). Anyway, here they are:

Jim Bowie #33 BayBears Wave Alternate 1997: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bowiewave.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bowiewave_b.jpg)
From what I recall the Wave jersey was a alternate home jersey.

Rick Prieto #7 BayBears Wave Alternate 1998?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/prietowave.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/prietowave_b.jpg)
It could be a 1999 but not sure if how long they used these alternates.

Ethan Faggett #24 BayBears Wave Alternate 1998?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/faggettwave.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/faggettwave_b.jpg)
It could be as late as 2000.

John Powers #4 Baybears Parrot 1998?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/powersparrot.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/powersparrot_b.jpg)
It could be 2000 or 2001 as well but they did some Parrothead stuff when I was there.

Jake Peavy #22 BayBears Road Uniform 2001?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2001road.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2001road_b.jpg)
I'm almost positive it is 2001 because I can barely see what used to be a 6 on the back.

Jake Peavy #44 Baybears Breast Cancer Awareness 2004?: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2004.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/peavy2004_b.jpg)
I think this is from his rehab assignment because he had to change his number to #44.

Ryan Meaux #29 Baybears Breast Cancer Awareness 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/meaux2006.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/meaux2006_b.jpg)
Only one of the three that's a player.

Arnie Beyeler #23 BayBears Breast Cancer Awareness 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/beyeler2006.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/beyeler2006_b.jpg)
Hitting Coach

Glenn Abbott #35 BayBears Breast Cancer Awareness 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/glennabbott2006.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/glennabbott2006_b.jpg)
Pitching Coach and former MLB pitcher

Javier Brito #36 Baybears Oyster Grabbers Alternate 2007: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/britooyster.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/britooyster_b.jpg)
The Oyster Grabbers were a team that played in Mobile in 1903

Wilkin Castillo #11 Baybears Oyster Grabbers Alternate 2007: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/castillooyster.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/castillooyster_b.jpg)
They were auctioned off online as a local radio station sponsored event.

Ronnie Merrill #7 Baybears Oyster Grabbers Alternate 2007: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/merrilloyster.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/merrilloyster_b.jpg)
I got a lot of autograph requests when I was a batboy. I tried to make my autograph unidentifiable.

Fernando Bryant #25 Charity Jersey: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bryantcharity.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/bryantcharity_b.jpg)
This was from a different thrift store. Haven't found out more info.

AJ Hawk #47 Senior Bowl Practice Jersey 2006: Front (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/hawksenior.jpg) - Back (http://rydasrecords.com/jersies/hawksenior_b.jpg)
As far as I know he never wore it. I also don't think they ever made his actual Senior Bowl Jersey. I've never as much as seen a picture of the practice jerseys, only was able to find video of other players wearing theirs.

Nice collection. That's quite a find!!!

[simsmeboy]

By any chance do you still have these jerseys?