2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

[Texstros]

All,

Came across a 2001 Craig Biggio pinstripe Jersey on eBay this week. This jersey shows tremendous use & lots of wear. Letters, numbers & even a ton of tar. Jersey looked like it had seen a few games. Seller had video on Youtube & talks about it in length - (it has since been removed). Boy did I get excited until he sent me a picture of the wash tag. This tag is crispy crisp new & its a 6200 wash code.

I went through every photo & video I have been able to find - no match. As a matter of fact, it looks like biggio wore 1 jersey primarly. I contacted the Astros organization as well & was told it was not used by Biggio. Its obvious with a crispy wash tag it wouldnt show as much use as this jersey has. The letter & number fraying was a nice touch!

I had to tell the seller he was sold a "Bad" jersey & boy was he upset. To be honest people that mislead or sell fake jerseys like this make me want to pull out of this hobby. This disgust me & it is not right..its a amazing people can sleep at night.

I have saved & posted pictures below so if this "jersey" makes it back in the open market it can be easly identified.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Craig-Biggio-Signed-2001-Astros-Game-Used-Jersey-/320653147431?pt=US_Baseball_Fan_Shop&hash=item4aa86abd27

[dcrules01]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

I saw that jersey the seller sday he purchased it from Chris Boyd who is a big Biggio collector. The 6200 tag has been spotted on gamers. Would like to here what Chris has to say about the jersey. I love post 9-11 jerseys and was watching this. Thanks for the input.

[frikativ54]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

I saw that jersey the seller sday he purchased it from Chris Boyd who is a big Biggio collector. The 6200 tag has been spotted on gamers. Would like to here what Chris has to say about the jersey. I love post 9-11 jerseys and was watching this. Thanks for the input.

I understand a 6200 jersey seeing use; it happens from time to time. What I don't undersand is how a jersey with this much use could show a crisp washtag.

[dcrules01]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

How many jerseys are issued to an Astros player? Good point though about the crisp wash tag. Always the theory that the Astros were issued new jerseys post 9-11 or were the flag patches added to jerseys that were currently being used. There are a lot of scenerios. If someone altered the jersey how do they fray the numbers? The dirt on the jersey and pine tar can come from just 1 game that is always a possibility. Like I said curious to see what Chris says. Always a possibility he sold the jersey as an autographed authentic to another buyer and this collector bought it from someone that stated it came from Chris. Has anyone contacted him. You contacted the Astros that was a good idea who did you speak with? The bad thing is the seller had some nice jerseys do we question them also?

[frikativ54]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

The seller did the honorable thing by ending the auction early. I would love to hear from the original owner of the jersey about some of the concerns raised by Texstros.

-Frik

[dcrules01]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

I emailed Chris to let him know about the thread. Its ashame its a nice jersey.

[ziggy]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

Did he even wear a 44 in 2001? If so, when did he start wearing a 46?

[ziggy]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

I am answering my own question....Chris Boyd said in 2006 on the forum that all 2000 to current Biggio jerseys should be size 46. Here is the link:

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=4351

[eGameUsed]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

Thanks Scott for emailing me. I don't frequent the forum much.

As for the jersey, I did in fact sell the jersey as is to the seller on eBay in 2002. This past weekend when I saw the jersey listed, I immediately emailed the seller and told him I was very eager to buy back. I always regretted selling this 2001 jersey, but decided to sell as I had another 2001 Road Biggio in my collection. Since 2002, one of my collection focused has been Biggio, so I am after and and all items. Knowing I sold him the jersey, I was interested in buying it back.

I purchased the jersey from a reputable contact and provider of many Astros items in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In fact, I purchased other post 9/11 items included a couple of helmets and jerseys.

In 2002, I myself and most people were unaware of the "0062" versus "6200" tagging. If I knew back then what I know now, I would have been more hesitant. I purchased and sold the jersey before I knew "6200" jerseys were considered retail.

I notified the eBay seller immediately after reading this thread and learning more about the jersey (which I regret I did not know in 2002). He noted that Shawn contacted him and how Shawn contacted the Astros Authentication Manager to get an opinion on the jersey. The seller noted that he ended the auction as "to not cause a fuss about it." The seller was not going to even contact me as he was not concerned, but replied to me promptly when I e-mailed him letting him know there were concerns about the tagging. I told the seller I intend to buy back the jersey and I was unaware of any tagging discrepencies 8 years ago at time of sell. As with any items, I honor 100% guarantee on any items.

I apologize for not knowing this information sooner but want to make things right. I do plan to contact the original seller that sold the jersey to me. I have received many items from this seller, including multiple photomatched items so I believe this to be either something that slipped past him, but I will certainly follow-up.

In regard to "6200" tagging, they do exist on Astros jerseys. I have a 2001 Astros Home Pinstripe of a "common" player with 6200 tag that I purchased direct from the team. I am also aware of other jerseys purchased from the Astros that have 6200 tagging or are missing inner tagging. Obviously, legit 6200 are a rare exception and should be carefully reviewed.

In regard to use, the use is consistent for one or more games, just in an unwashed state. Biggio was known for being very dirty with tar. I also sold this jersey prior to photomatching being popular task of game worn collectors. At the time, I believed the jersey to be consistent.

In regard to size, I have Biggio jerseys in the following sizes:

1990 - 40
1996 - 44
1999 - 46
2000 - 44
2002 - 46
2003 - 46
2006 - 46
2007 - 46

There seems to be some variation in the 1999-2002 era between 44 and 46. 46 was certainly his size of choice in 2002 to 2007.

Please e-mail me if anyone has any further questions.

Thanks,

[Texstros]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

How many jerseys are issued to an Astros player? Good point though about the crisp wash tag. Always the theory that the Astros were issued new jerseys post 9-11 or were the flag patches added to jerseys that were currently being used. There are a lot of scenerios. If someone altered the jersey how do they fray the numbers? The dirt on the jersey and pine tar can come from just 1 game that is always a possibility. Like I said curious to see what Chris says. Always a possibility he sold the jersey as an autographed authentic to another buyer and this collector bought it from someone that stated it came from Chris. Has anyone contacted him. You contacted the Astros that was a good idea who did you speak with? The bad thing is the seller had some nice jerseys do we question them also?

Just to answer a few questions.

Biggio used 1 jersey post 9-11... Numbers can be frayed a number of ways, a hard brush ect... I spoke with astros authentication manager & other team reps.
I cant question his other items but this one. No way in hell did Biggio ever see or use this jersey!

[frikativ54]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

When I originally read this thread, I was happy that the eBay seller was going to get a refund for the fake jersey from the original owner. However, two months have passed, and according to the seller, he hasn't gotten a dime of the money back.

It's one thing to sell a bad jersey. It's quite another to say that you stand behind your items, yet to never issue a refund to the aggrieved party.

Just disgusting IMO.

-Frik

[Danny899]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

You are mistaken if you think that 6200's are only retail. There have been a lot of 6200 game worn jerseys. The Dodgers were one team that comes to mind. It's amazing how many good pieces you could pick up because other collectors live and die by the 6200/0062 theory and were afraid to bid. I learned this from Dave M. and other members right here. With this particular Biggio jersey, I would go by what Frik thinks. Her knowledge is tops with Astros jerseys. (at least I think so!)

[sox83cubs84]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

"A lot" might be stretching it, but it does happen. Still, I'd be wary of any major star jersey with the 6200 code, as the chances are just too small of it being legit to take the chance. Plus, 44 is a retail size...46 is not.

Dave Miedema

[Danny899]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

"A lot" might be stretching it, but it does happen. Still, I'd be wary of any major star jersey with the 6200 code, as the chances are just too small of it being legit to take the chance. Plus, 44 is a retail size...46 is not.

Dave Miedema

Ah, what do you know Dave?? Actually all kidding aside, you know how much I and others here value your insight. But please clarify what you mean that 44 is a retail size. Don't MLB players wear 44's? As always, I hope you're doing well. Thanks again for your help.
Dan

[BamaHater]

Re: 2001 Craig Biggio Game used Jersey - NOT!

Ah, what do you know Dave?? Actually all kidding aside, you know how much I and others here value your insight. But please clarify what you mean that 44 is a retail size. Don't MLB players wear 44's? As always, I hope you're doing well. Thanks again for your help.
Dan

I think what he is saying is 44 is a size anyone can buy at retail therefore could try and turn into a fake gamer. Yes 44 is a size players do wear but it is easy to pick up a retail size 44 6200 slap Biggio on the jersey and fake some wear to make it look game used. We all know that few 6200 do make it into Gamer use but IMO I would never buy a star player game used 6200 unless I have absolute proof that it was worn by the player.