Albert Pujols Game-Worn Cardinals Helmet w/Photo Match

[gameused]

Anyone know if this is Albert Pujols batting helmet on American Memorabilia auctions is legit?
http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=54733&auccat=Baseball%20Game-Used

Thanks,
Bobby

[rj_lucas]

Getty has photos of Thomas Howard (who wore #5 for the Cardinals immediately prior to Pujols) from the 2000 season wearing single-flap helmets (both right and left varieties), including the flag sticker (see below).

I do not see the photo match. The pine tar pattern on the brim looks entirely different, and there appears to be an abrasion above the StL on Pujols' helmet that is not present on the helmet being auctioned.

My opinions only.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[shoremen44]

Rick,
I agree... I don't see it... it may be Albert's helmet, but if it is where is the provenance... and if the consignor is serious about it being Albert's, wouldn't they go to greater lengths to photomatch, like an image from Getty?

[Birdbats]

I remember 3-4 years ago at the Winter Warm Up, those of us milling outside of the Cardinals Care store waiting for it to open could see a navy helmet with #5 on it sitting on a shelf. I'd been tipped off it was going to be there -- but also was told the team was certain it wasn't Pujols' helmet. They seemed confident it was a Thomas Howard helmet. If it was a Pujols helmet, it wouldn't have been sitting there with a $25 price tag. Anyway, just a couple minutes before the store opens, one of the volunteers working inside the store takes the helmet from the shelf and puts it behind the cashier's table. He was buying it for himself (or, more likely, someone else). I'm not saying this is the same helmet, but I wouldn't be shocked. Sure, it could be real. But, Pujols established himself as a stud during his first season... so what are the odds that Pujols helmets would not be kept by Albert or sold/auctioned by the team? What are the odds that a legit Pujols helmet wouldn't have paperwork and provenance? And what are the odds that anyone with a legit Pujols helmet would consign it to this particular auction house, given its well-documented financial troubles and inability to pay consignors?

[Neal]

Not commenting on the helmet, as I do not know what to look for. That said, I have won three bats from them, and all three were authenticated after I purchased them.

[ironmanfan]

wouldn't the "dating code/wheel" shed some additional information? perhaps someone can zoom in on it (it's visible in one of the pictures)...

[shoremen44]

wouldn't the "dating code/wheel" shed some additional information? perhaps someone can zoom in on it (it's visible in one of the pictures)...

The wheel doesn't really help... there is no telling from when the helmet is made to when it is used...

My 2008 Pujols helmet has a Date wheel that says 1998

[Birdbats]

It says in the item description that the helmet was made in 1998.

Apparently, this same helmet sold in 2005 for $4,445: http://americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=21533&aucsearch=pujols%20helmet&AucListType=closed&TitleDesc=0&period=

That doesn't fit the time frame of my other post, but it could have been the 2005 WWU when I saw the "5" helmet on the shelf. The older I get, the more the years run together.

[drizer7]

I looked on the Getty Images site and came across some pictures of Pujols with a helmet that could be the auction item. Not sure. What do you guys make of these images? These are from Sept. 18, 2002- June 13, 2004 and July 20, 2004. He actually makes a helmet change shortly after these images on Aug. 1, 2004 where the visor is no longer labeled with a "5". However, one would think that owner would have better provenance.
http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xr/51038737.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=3&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939847EC77F5F8D1CE0ECB9321B14A0657 910C24D7825996AC
http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xr/51130425.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=3&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD073144256BBB34C4 5BD442092DD1E56D72786F524D0D4FD790F55034CEB503EE
http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xr/51087669.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=3&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD5D5BA42DE8ED9733 37938DE74101AE4441328E8D131A985790F55034CEB503EE
http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xr/1435148.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=3&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FD544332C635C4DC9A 62C81838BE0C6CBCBF4407731009310C4E9C89C783688B46

[rj_lucas]

This is a well-traveled helmet, regardless of who may or may not have worn it. It's shown up again, this time on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Albert-Pujols-Game-Used-Worn-Cardinals-Batting-Helmet_W0QQitemZ120552885383QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c11830c87

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[jscott0688]

Looks like it's made another appearance (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Albert-Pujols-Game-Used-Worn-Batting-Helmet-PHOTOMATCHED-cardinals-jersey-/180797359784?pt=US_Baseball_Fan_Shop&hash=item2a185cc6a8). It's already been bid up to $1000.

[spartanservitto]

The mark above the "SL" logo looks like a more convincing possible match, it looks like there is a scratch that matches.

-Tony