Placido Polanco Game Used 2007 Tigers Cap

[Insomniac186]

This Placido Polanco "game used" 2007 Tigers cap (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Detroit-Tigers-GAME-USED-Flag-Cap-Hat-MLB-Record-Season-14-Placido-Polanco-/190731730557?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c687f3e7d) doesn't appear to be what the seller claims.

-First off, the seller claims it's from 2007, but 2007 was the first season for 100% polyester caps with the black undersides. This one has the gray underside.

-Second, the interior tags are from 1999 to 2000.

-Third, the authentication certificate ( BB622187) Just says "TEAM ISSUED DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL CAP". Nothing about Polanco.

The most likely scenario is that the seller probably thinks it's from the 2007 season because the authentication happened in 2007. An easy mistake for someone that doesn't know any better. In my opinion, this cap is not from 2007. It must have been an older cap that was sold at some sort of event, which was most likely the "DETROIT TIGERS ORGANIZATIONAL SIGNING" mentioned in the authentication.

[sox83cubs84]

I agree on the dates of the tagging, but I believe this cap was an older lid used in 2001-02. The US Flag logo didn't show up on caps until after 9/11/01. If the flag is embroidered into the cap fabric, it's a 2001. Heat pressed flags were used beginning in 2002. I have a 2001 Pirates Kevin Young cap (with normal tags) that Young gave me at the end of the season at Wrigley Field that year, and I also have a Rockies cap of coach Dave Collins with the 1999-2000 tagging but with a flag patch that, based on the team LOA, was used in 2003.

Dave Miedema

[joelsabi]

This Placido Polanco "game used" 2007 Tigers cap (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Detroit-Tigers-GAME-USED-Flag-Cap-Hat-MLB-Record-Season-14-Placido-Polanco-/190731730557?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c687f3e7d) doesn't appear to be what the seller claims.

-First off, the seller claims it's from 2007, but 2007 was the first season for 100% polyester caps with the black undersides. This one has the gray underside.

-Second, the interior tags are from 1999 to 2000.

-Third, the authentication certificate ( BB622187) Just says "TEAM ISSUED DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL CAP". Nothing about Polanco.

The most likely scenario is that the seller probably thinks it's from the 2007 season because the authentication happened in 2007. An easy mistake for someone that doesn't know any better. In my opinion, this cap is not from 2007. It must have been an older cap that was sold at some sort of event, which was most likely the "DETROIT TIGERS ORGANIZATIONAL SIGNING" mentioned in the authentication.

There were 150 caps authenticated by MLB on October. Maybe the equipment manager was told to gather equipment that could be sold at a team signing event and/or was clearing space in the equipment room.

I noticed the flag patch on the road cap so it could have been worn on 3 days that season but they didnt play a road game on Memorial Day, 4th July or 9/11 so it wasnt used by Polanco in 2007. If Polanco wore it had to be in July 4th of 2005 and was given back to the Equipment Manager and it was never given back to him prior to being authenticated as no road games were scheduled for those 3 days in 2006 or 2007. The cap doesnt even looked broken in but its a one game hat so maybe that why. Its issued not used because the authenticator didnt see it being actually used.

Polanco wrote his 14 like that on his bats but it is easily imitated. Wish there was an added note on the MLB database about the number on the brim. Because the authenticator ignored the number I would pass even if I really wanted a Polanco cap without questioning the equipment manager and his practices.

But seems like the number was already there when the sticker was affixed otherwise the sticker would have been centered. So if its a back issued 7 1/4 cap because of a frugal equipment manager then its possible this is a Polanco cap. Probably the equipment manager would know better if you really wanted to know.

Polanco wore a 7 3/4 helmet which is the same as a Pujols helmet size and AP used a 7 1/4 cap too.

The other possibility is that its a 2000 Matt Anderson Cap if we ignore carry over of old inventory by equipment managers. I do not know Anderson's cap size either nor does it interest me.

[rluck]

what do you expect for 32.00 dollars the cost for a fitted cap cost 25.00 dollars

[joelsabi]

I agree on the dates of the tagging, but I believe this cap was an older lid used in 2001-02. The US Flag logo didn't show up on caps until after 9/11/01. If the flag is embroidered into the cap fabric, it's a 2001. Heat pressed flags were used beginning in 2002. I have a 2001 Pirates Kevin Young cap (with normal tags) that Young gave me at the end of the season at Wrigley Field that year, and I also have a Rockies cap of coach Dave Collins with the 1999-2000 tagging but with a flag patch that, based on the team LOA, was used in 2003.

Dave Miedema

i got a reply from the seller. its not embroidered.

dave, who would do the apply the patches in 2001? after 2002?

[joelsabi]

so no other tiger wore #14 from 2002-2004 it seems

[sox83cubs84]

i got a reply from the seller. its not embroidered.

dave, who would do the apply the patches in 2001? after 2002?

There was a week of postponed games after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The games that were postponed were played after the last regularly scheduled regular season game, sort of an added week to the regular season in October after wiping out one in September. There was time to make new caps with the logo specifically embroidered in them, although certain players known for wearing their caps into the ground (like Steve Kline) may have had the flag logo ironed on. After 2001, the patches were added to exisiting caps in all instances. I'm not sure if that occurs with the manufacturer or in the clubhouse.

Dave Miedema