Mets Sid Fernandez & Agbayani Jerseys

[Zeenuts]

I have an opportunity to purchase some Hawaii-related Mets player jerseys. However, being relative new to this collecting arena, I am looking for information to verify the authenticity of the Sid Fernandez and Benny Agbayani jerseys which have become available.

Unfortunately, I do not know how to scan items to share with a posting. Consequently, the best I can do is provide a brief description and ask some questions which GUU members may be able to answer for me.

The first is a 1993 Sid Fernandez Mets road jersey. The manufacturer is Russell Athletic and there is a cloth wash tag and a Diamond Collection logo with size 52. Is Russell Athletic the correct manufacturer? There also appears to be the remnants of a white plastic-like tag under the maufacturer's wash tag, but it appears that what was originally not under the cloth tag was clipped so no information is available. I have seen other Russell Athletic wash tags, but they tended to have the white plastic-like tag which indicated 100% polyester or some information like that. There is no other tagging to indicate uniform number, size, year, and set #, which I believed the Mets used to do in the mid 1980's. The New York is in blue/orange/white script with a blue/orange/white bar below the city name. The blue in the middle of the New York is dark blue with no texture to the material. There is a velcro strip on the inside of the button line on the front in place of a button. There is a round Mets ball/skyline logo on the left sleeve which seems to be authentic. There is no neck-to-sleeve trim running along the shoulder down to the arms as other Mets uniforms may have had. There is an embroidered blue R on the right sleeve and the number 50 on the back with no other number shown on the front. Are there any other characteristics I should check out?

The second is purported to be a 1998 Mets white home jersey. The manufacturer is Russell Athletic and there is a cloth wash tag and a Diamond Collection logo with size 52 and a white plastic-like tag attached and showing below the cloth tag which reads 100% Polyester. The number 39 appears on the left front breast and on the back, unlike the more customary number 50 used for most of Agbayani's career. Benny may have also worn this jersey in 1999, but it appears more likely that this was a 1998 issue. Both the New York and number on the front and Agbayani and the number on the back are blue/orange/black with the blue portion having a diamond shaped ribbing texture like in 1999. The Mets in front is in blue/orange/black script with no line below the team name. There is a velcro strip on the inside of the button line on the front in place of a button. There is a round Mets ball/skyline logo on the left sleeve which seems to be authentic, including the trademark R in a circle near the 4 o'clock position of the sphere. There is no neck-to-sleeve trim running along the shoulder down to the arms. There is an embroidered blue R on the right sleeve. Are there any other characteristics I should check out?

The third is another Agbayani jersey which I believe is a 1999 Mets alternate road black knit Benny Agbayani jersey. The manufacturer is Russell Athletic and there is a cloth wash tag and a Diamond Collection logo with size 52 and a white plastic-like tag attached and showing below the cloth tag which reads 100% Polyester. Is Russell Athletic the correct manufacturer? The number 50 appears on the left front breast and on the back. Both the New York and number on the front and Agbayani and the number on the back are blue/white/orange with the blue portion having a diamond shaped ribbing texture. The New York is in an old style lettering and not in script. There is a velcro strip on the inside of the button line on the front in place of a button. There is a round Mets ball/skyline logo on the left sleeve and the skyline is in black, rather than the usual blue. However, there also is no trademark R in a circle around 4 o'clock in the white field of the sphere as it is in most of the logo patches I have seen. There is no neck-to-sleeve trim running along the shoulder down to the arms as other Mets uniforms may have had. There is an embroidered blue R on the right sleeve. Are there any other characteristics I should check out?

Again, I apologize for not having a photo scan, but I think my descriptions are pretty thorough. I would appreciate anyone's insight into what I am looking at. I am primarily interested in knowing if these jerseys are authentic team-issued items by the manufacturer. I don't really care if they happen to be game-used or not at it would be difficult to authentic that aspect of the jerseys. Thank you in advance for any insight you can provide.

Please contact Zeenuts@hawaii.rr.com if you can be of assistance. Thank you.

[TNTtoys]

Please send photos of all three jerseys to me at TNT_Toys@yahoo.com and I will be happy to authenticate each and every one of them for you. Mets jerseys are my expertise.
I really would like to see the jerseys instead of read a description of them though.

[Zeenuts]

Thank you for the offer, but I don't even have a cell phone with a camera. I'm from the post-60 year old generation and today's technology is beyond me.

[TNTtoys]

I'll do the best that I can based on your descriptions when I have a break later today.

[Zeenuts]

Thank you. Take your time. I would really appreciate any information you can provide as I am not as familiar with NY Mets jerseys. I'm slowly learning more about jerseys, but there are so many nuances to each manufacturer's way of tagging and because of the possibly annual variations in uniform designs, I can't stay abreast of every jersey modification. Overall, the jerseys appear to look all right, but I don't want to find out later that there might be something that I should have checked out. I am relying on other GUU members who are more familiar with specific organization's items to help me. In that way GUU provides a valuable service for the more serious collector which I hope to become one day.

As a Mets collector, I would also be very interested if you ever come across or know of a 1982 Carlos Diaz (a Hawaii-related player) jersey #32 or #48 or a 1983 #48 jersey. In a strange twist of fate, Diaz was traded by the Mets to the Dodgers for another Hawaii-related player, Sid Fernandez before the 1984 season.

I look forward to hearing your opinion on the Agbayani and Fernandez jerseys. Also, please let me know if you need more information regarding the jersey characteristics.

[TNTtoys]

My synopsis on the Sid jersey...others to follow.

The first is a 1993 Sid Fernandez Mets road jersey.
Year is fine; 1993 was Sid’s last year in New York

The manufacturer is Russell Athletic
That’s correct for 1993; Russell was the exclusive manufacturer of all Mets jerseys from 1992-1994

and there is a cloth wash tag and a Diamond Collection logo with size 52
Sounds ok but I cannot tell without seeing the tag. Not sure if Sid ever wore a jersey this large either. I have one of his earlier jerseys and it is much smaller.

There also appears to be the remnants of a white plastic-like tag under the maufacturer's wash tag, but it appears that what was originally not under the cloth tag was clipped so no information is available.
Again, sounds like what should be there; however, I have handled a lot of these jerseys and have never seen one with a clipped tag

There is no other tagging to indicate uniform number, size, year, and set #
This is correct for these jerseys; specifically Mets Russells from 1993 and 1994

The New York is in blue/orange/white script with a blue/orange/white bar below the city name.
Correct logo

The blue in the middle of the New York is dark blue with no texture to the material.
Correct

There is a velcro strip on the inside of the button line on the front in place of a button.
Correct

There is a round Mets ball/skyline logo on the left sleeve which seems to be authentic.
Sounds ok but I cannot vouch without seeing the patch; there have been several variations depending on years

There is no neck-to-sleeve trim running along the shoulder down to the arms as other Mets uniforms may have had.
This trim ceased in 1992, so correct

There is an embroidered blue R on the right sleeve and the number 50 on the back with no other number shown on the front.
Sounds good

Are there any other characteristics I should check out?
Is there blue and orange trim on the jersey? Specifically on the sleeve endings?
Name on back in correct font and size?

[TNTtoys]

As a Mets collector, I would also be very interested if you ever come across or know of a 1982 Carlos Diaz (a Hawaii-related player) jersey #32 or #48 or a 1983 #48 jersey. In a strange twist of fate, Diaz was traded by the Mets to the Dodgers for another Hawaii-related player, Sid Fernandez before the 1984 season.


Carlos Diaz wore #32 for the Mets in both 1982 and 1983. He never wore #48 as a Met. I just checked his history, and he only wore #48 as an Atlanta Brave in 1982 before coming to the Mets.

I in fact have a Carlos Diaz jersey (#32) from 1983, but I am not prepared to part with it at this point. I am a "1 of every style" Mets jersey collector, and my Diaz jersey is the only one of a specific style that I have. It is the "road BP" from 1983 with the interlocking silver NY logo on the left front of the jersey. If I were able to acquire another of this style jersey, I will have no problem parting with the Diaz.

[joelsabi]

Is Russell Athletic the correct manufacturer? There also appears to be the remnants of a white plastic-like tag under the maufacturer's wash tag, but it appears that what was originally not under the cloth tag was clipped so no information is available. I have seen other Russell Athletic wash tags, but they tended to have the white plastic-like tag which indicated 100% polyester or some information like that. .

I found an alleged 1993 Mets Home jersey Ebay listing. It is a Russell.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270513534868
photo attached. Maybe Nick can tell if the listing is legit and then you can compare your jersey with the one listed, even though one is a road and other is a home jersey.

As far as the tagging, look at this thread by Rudy on Russell Tagging. The example of the tag in the thread would date the Stephenson jersey to earlier than 1993.

Does your washing tag have four lines or five lines of instruction? It should be 4 lines on yours. Also notice the Diamond logo needs to be slanted in an angle instead of straight to be in the 1993-1995 tagging period.

Patches on the jersey may narrow it to 1993 but that’s not my expertise on knowing Mets patches from these periods.

Russell tag reference: http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=1050

Another fact that would be helpful on your 1993 jersey is if name is on a nameplate or not. This would be helpful to Nick as well without photos.

[metsbats]

Here'a a photo my 1993 Jeff Kent gamer. TNTToys help authenticate this jersey for me before I made the decision to buy. He's currently one of the most knowledgable guys on these jerseys.

Is your 93 Fernandez similar?

[metsbats]

The 1992 style Russell tagging can show up in the 1993 jerseys according to Rudy (carryovers) and I believe he does have an example of this in the photo of a 1993 tagged "93-.." at the bottom.

[Zeenuts]

Thank you for the thorough response to the Fernandez jersey. There is an approximately 5/16 blue outer edge blue trim followed by a 1/4 inch orange trim (moving inward from the edge of the sleeve) followed by a larger 7/16 inch blue trim on the sleeves. The individually sewn letters to the name on the back of the uniform are 3 3/4 inches for the white outer outline, with a 3 7/16 inches orange overlay, and 3 3/16 inches for top layered blue lettering.

Also thank you for the Carlos Diaz information. It's good to know that there is one in existence so I can add it to my want list. Not previously knowing this I have wondered if I was chasing a non-existing jersey. My address is Zeenuts@hawaii.rr.com and I would be very interested if you ever decide to part with the jersey.

I look forward to your analysis on the Agbayani jerseys. In anticipation of your possible follow up questions, the black jersey has a thin 3/16 dark blue trim running along the button holes on both sides of the front which runs around the neck in the back. There is a similar size trim on the sleeve approximately 9/16 of an inch from the edge of the sleeve. The Mets sleeve logo is 4 inches in diameter, but with no R trademark in the field. Unlike the Fernandez name lettering which was one size alphabet layered over each other, the Agbayani letters in only two layers. The first has a white border around the blue ribbed alphabet and is 3 1/2 inches. The second orange base letter is approximately 3 7/16 inches long and offset to the right below the respective blue/white same alphabet. The #50 on the back of the uniform has a similary style layering pattern as the alphabets to the name above, but the dimensions of the numbers are approximately 7 7/8 for the blue/white number and about 7 3/4 for the orange number. The front #50 is approxmately 4 1/16 inches for the blue/white number and approximately 4 inches for the orange number.

The white Agbayani home jersey has a similar 3/16 inch trim as the black jersey above, but the trim seems to have more of a wavy edge to it than the straight edges to the black jersey. The same description applies to the sleeve trim. The Mets sleeve logo is 4 inches in diameter with the R trademark sewn into the field. Like the Agbayani jersey above the letters for the name are in two layers. The first has a orange border around the blue ribbed alphabet and is 3 1/2 inches. The second black base letter is approximately 3 7/16 inches long and offset to the right below the respective blue/white same alphabet. The #39 on the back of the uniform has a similary style layering pattern as the alphabets to the name above, but the dimensions of the numbers are approximately 7 13/16 for the orange/blue number and about 7 3/4-7 13/16 for the black number. The front #39 is approxmately 4 inches for the orange/blue number and approximately 4 inches for the black number.

I am learning so much about what to look for now in a uniform. Thank you.

[joelsabi]

The 1992 style Russell tagging can show up in the 1993 jerseys according to Rudy (carryovers) and I believe he does have an example of this in the photo of a 1993 tagged "93-.." at the bottom.

Yes i was just rereading for exception as both your Kemp and Stephenson jersey look like exceptions.

So there are exceptions to Rudy’s tag list, as your gamer has the "1992" style tagging on a 1993 Jersey. Probably a carryover tag. Member by the name of Spiezio23 in Rudy’s thread says he has Seattle Mariners 1993 jersey with “1992” style tagging too. Make sense.

[Zeenuts]

Thank you to everyone who have responded. The response is overwhelming and much appreciated.

As for the wash tags, the 1993 Fernandez has the Diamond Collection designation and the MLB logo in the green field area above the lower part of the white ring circle.

Interestingly, in examining the Agbayani jerseys, both have a Diamond Collection designation but the lettering and the red underlining with the Collection wording are both at more of an angle than the Fernandez one above. In addition, there is no Major League Collection information and the MLB logo, which was in the field inside the circle in the Fernandez jersey wash tag, is now covering the lower part of the white circle ring. That is why the Major League Collection information is not present on the Agbayani jerseys because it would have been partially covered by the logo.

I apologize for not being able to include a scan which would have made things much more visible. Again, to everyone, thank you for the assistance. If you every need information on Hawaii-sports related memorabilia, I may be able to reciprocate the generous sharing of information.

[metsbats]

I know Nick can confirm the number and lettering for the 98 and 99 Agbayani jerseys for you. I collected Agbayani during the 98-2001 seasons but have let most of my Agbayani collection go to collectors in Hawaii most notably two collectors who are forum members : island_style and gameused. These two gentlemen are also probably two of the most knowledgable Agbayani collectors out there too.

I did own a 98 AIS Agbayani rookie road jersey with no. 39 ( the number he wore his rookie season before he switched to 50). It was a size 52 I believe. island_style may still have it as I sold it to him. So I do believe your the no. 39 jersey is from 1998.

He has a 98 AIS road no. 39 Benny in this thread

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=24923&highlight=agbayani+jersey

Russell was also a maker of Met jerseys during the 98-99 seasons too.

[TNTtoys]

Here is what I was able to do with the 98 & 99 jerseys --

The second is purported to be a 1998 Mets white home jersey. The manufacturer is Russell Athletic and there is a cloth wash tag and a Diamond Collection logo with size 52 and a white plastic-like tag attached and showing below the cloth tag which reads 100% Polyester.
The 1998 Mets white home jerseys were AIS; the white alternates were Russell. Assuming that this is an alternate? Also, would need to confirm that Benny’s size was in fact 52.

The number 39 appears on the left front breast and on the back, unlike the more customary number 50 used for most of Agbayani's career.
Correct. Benny wore 39 in 1998.

Benny may have also worn this jersey in 1999
No, he only wore #50 in 1999.

Both the New York and number on the front and Agbayani and the number on the back are blue/orange/black
Correct. The Mets switched from blue/orange/white to blue/orange/black this year.

with the blue portion having a diamond shaped ribbing texture like in 1999.
Correct. This lettering debuted in 1997 and has been on every Mets jersey since.

The Mets in front is in blue/orange/black script with no line below the team name.
Correct.

There is a velcro strip on the inside of the button line on the front in place of a button.
Correct.

There is a round Mets ball/skyline logo on the left sleeve which seems to be authentic, including the trademark R in a circle near the 4 o'clock position of the sphere.
Cannot tell without seeing.

There is no neck-to-sleeve trim running along the shoulder down to the arms.
Again, this stopped in 1992.

There is an embroidered blue R on the right sleeve. Are there any other characteristics I should check out?
I would also need to see the jersey to determine if lettering (font, size, etc.) is correct.

I would have asked about blue piping, but see that you included that in your follow-up statement.




The third is another Agbayani jersey which I believe is a 1999 Mets alternate road black knit Benny Agbayani jersey. The manufacturer is Russell Athletic and there is a cloth wash tag and a Diamond Collection logo with size 52 and a white plastic-like tag attached and showing below the cloth tag which reads 100% Polyester.
Correct.

Is Russell Athletic the correct manufacturer?
Yes.

The number 50 appears on the left front breast and on the back.
Correct.

Both the New York and number on the front and Agbayani and the number on the back are blue/white/orange with the blue portion having a diamond shaped ribbing texture.
Correct.

The New York is in an old style lettering and not in script.
Correct.

There is a velcro strip on the inside of the button line on the front in place of a button.
Good.

There is a round Mets ball/skyline logo on the left sleeve and the skyline is in black, rather than the usual blue.
Sounds right. Need you to confirm that the border of the patch is blue and not traditional orange.

However, there also is no trademark R in a circle around 4 o'clock in the white field of the sphere as it is in most of the logo patches I have seen.
Would have to check against a photo of a similar jersey of this time.

There is no neck-to-sleeve trim running along the shoulder down to the arms as other Mets uniforms may have had.
There wouldn’t be; however, there should be blue piping. Looks like you covered it too with your additional info.

[TNTtoys]

I found an alleged 1993 Mets Home jersey Ebay listing. It is a Russell.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270513534868
photo attached. Maybe Nick can tell if the listing is legit and then you can compare your jersey with the one listed, even though one is a road and other is a home jersey.
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As far as the tagging, look at this thread by Rudy on Russell Tagging. The example of the tag in the thread would date the Stephenson jersey to earlier than 1993.
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Another fact that would be helpful on your 1993 jersey is if name is on a nameplate or not. This would be helpful to Nick as well without photos.

On all 3 points above...

1. The Stephenson jersey is a good jersey. I saw it in person. A friend of mine is the seller. The tagging is exactly as expected on this jersery.

2. The tagging on both the Kent and Stephenson jerseys appear to be spot on to the 1992 and 1993 Mets jerseys I have seen. Keep in mind that Rudy's post spoke of 1992 being the first year in which Russell got the MLB contract. He then shows an example of a 1993 in his description for the 1992. I would read into this that although the tag may have changed sometime in 1993, there would be many 93s out there with the original tag. I have other examples I could share.

3. The Mets stopped putting nameplates on their jersey in 1986. Everything from 1987 onwards had letters sewn directly onto the jerseys.

[Zeenuts]

Especially in response to TNTtoys question, the Mets sleeve patch has a dark blue trim, rather than the customary orange outer edge. The Mets wording is also dark blue with white edges over an orange background although the blue material does not appear to have any ribbing texture like on the names and numbers, rather than the customary orange against white edge lettering. I also noticed that there is no orange NY embroidery in the 9 o'clock position in the field of the black jersey patch, whereas there is the embroidery on the customary orange sleeve patch.

Thank you again. You have been most helpful.

[TNTtoys]

Especially in response to TNTtoys question, the Mets sleeve patch has a dark blue trim, rather than the customary orange outer edge. The Mets wording is also dark blue with white edges over an orange background although the blue material does not appear to have any ribbing texture like on the names and numbers, rather than the customary orange against white edge lettering. I also noticed that there is no orange NY embroidery in the 9 o'clock position in the field of the black jersey patch, whereas there is the embroidery on the customary orange sleeve patch.

Thank you again. You have been most helpful.

This is the correct patch for all black alternate jerseys, starting with those worn in 1999.

In 1998, the Mets debuted black alternate jerseys; however, they wore their customary orange-bordered sleeve patch with these. From 1999 onwards, there were 2 patches; 1 for the white/gray uniforms (orange border with blue buildings) and 1 for the black jerseys (blue border with black buildings).

In 1999, another subtle change was made to the patches -- the interlocking NY was removed.