Oakland A's Jersey Help

[intheminors]

Guys,

I just acquired a 2003-2005 Oakland A's batting practice jersey from ebay. I matched it on Bill Henderson's style guide to those years. However, it has #9 on the back. I checked on Baseball Almanac and there was no #9 on the Opening Day Roster any of those years. Anyone have a clue who might have worn this?



Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to provide.

Kyle

[bigtime59]

Kyle:
I have a 2004 A's Media Guide, and can't find anyone wearing #9.
Mark
bigtime39@aol.com

[Vintagedeputy]

ooh! ooh! I got this!

Olmedo Saenz!

Saenz played with the A's from 1999-2002. He wore #9 those years.

Now, check his transaction record:


December 21, 2002: Granted Free Agency.
March 13, 2003: Signed as a Free Agent with the Oakland Athletics. October 15, 2003: Granted Free Agency.

So, he was granted Free Agency from the A's in December of 2002. He re-signed with the A's in March of 2003 and then was granted FA again in October of 2003. My guess is that he wore that jersey in Spring Training of 2003 and then was sent down to the minors. Naturally, in ST they gave him his old number 9 before he got sent down.

Now just look for some 2003 A's ST pics and photo match it!

Jim

[Vintagedeputy]

also - team photo day for the A's was on 2/25/03 so there is no posed team pic for him as he wasnt signed yet. Opening day was on 4/1/03 so he was probably sent to extended ST or the minors....thats why he's not on the opening day roster.

[OaklandAsFan]

I might actually have some personal pics from 2003 ST. I will check and let you know

[Vintagedeputy]

anyone agree/disagree?

[whatupyos]

Vintage....I'm a life long A's fan and live in the area. I believe you are spot on!!! Good job, I couldn't think for the life of me, but I totally remember now that you bring it up about good ol' Olmedo Saenz.

Aaron

[intheminors]

Vintage,

Sorry, I meant to respond to this earlier...

I had found the info about Saenz being on the roster before the time period of this jersey but never considered it to be a ST jersey. It was just sold as game worn, which it apparently was.

Thought I had nabbed a regular season jersey but I guess I'll hold on to it unless I get a trade offer or something.

Thanks for the research!

Kyle

[Vintagedeputy]

Like I said, just a good detective's guess but I believe its him. The dates seem to check out.

[bigtime59]

The (apparently) extreme fading to the belt line makes me wonder if this jersey didn't get recycled to the AZL Athletics. Do the A's do that?

Mark
bigtime39@aol.com