Bench Jesey circa 1973

[jbsportstuff]

An auction recently ended on Ebay about this Johnny Bench 1973 jersey. I'll post all the pics and the LOA below.


This jersey was being advertised as:

1973 Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds Game Used Home Jersey

100% authentic........'BENCH' sewn on back......Original Reds logo sewn on front.....Original Rawlings 44 size tag sewn on inside tail along with 'Set 1 #8P-1973' flag tag.....#5 sewn on front and back....The back features 'BENCH' applied lettering and numeral '5', both of which have been restored from removal and a period number change as this jersey was sent down to the Minor Leagues.......Nevertheless, a REAL gamer of this Hall of Fame catcher dating to the golden era of The Big Red Machine!........Nice use

The buy it now was at $2,500 and no one touched it.


I've attached the pics.


Is this a legit Bench jersey? If so, why would they send a 1973 Bench jersey down to the minors? That doesn't make much sense to me. The tagging seems correct, but I am afraid of the lettering/numbering. Is it a legit Bench game used jersey? Any help would be highly appreciated.

[jbsportstuff]

Sorry everyone - this should have been in the "auction descussion" howeve the auction has ended. Here is a close up of the Hunt LOA

[diamondicons1]

Jersey is accurately described. Labeling is consistent with other 1973 Home Jerseys. Even the crease running down the center of the jersey is consistent with other gamers from the era. The recycling of Reds jerseys to the minors was a common practice. This is probably one of the reasons that Reds jerseys from the early 70s are so difficult. In the last 10 years since I have been tracking Reds jerseys, there have only been 6 home jerseys (1972-74) hit auction that I am aware of: 1972 Rose, 1972 Bench, 1973 Bench (one depicted), 1973 Griffey, 1973 Morgan, and a 1974 Rose.

[sox83cubs84]

Jersey is accurately described. Labeling is consistent with other 1973 Home Jerseys. Even the crease running down the center of the jersey is consistent with other gamers from the era. The recycling of Reds jerseys to the minors was a common practice. This is probably one of the reasons that Reds jerseys from the early 70s are so difficult. In the last 10 years since I have been tracking Reds jerseys, there have only been 6 home jerseys (1972-74) hit auction that I am aware of: 1972 Rose, 1972 Bench, 1973 Bench (one depicted), 1973 Griffey, 1973 Morgan, and a 1974 Rose.

Correct...even a consistent Rawlings gamer of the era with the straight-cut tail that appeared on virtually all Rawlings MLB jerseys up to and including 1973.

Dave M.
Chicago area

[33bird]

Yea, I think it's legit too, but really no interest in it. The only thing original on it is the C logo on the front. Everything else is restored.

[jbsportstuff]

Thanks everyone for their replies.