Hawk Taylor Royals Jersey and Uniform

[cardinalbaseballfan]

Hey folks,

While looking for items from the career of journeyman catcher Hawk Taylor, I was pointed to this offering currently on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-1970-KC-ROY...QQcmdZViewItem

along with two other auctions including the pants, belt and stirrups, as well as the hat:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-1970-KC-ROY...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-1970-KC-ROY...QQcmdZViewItem

Upon further review, I noticed that the jersey was lacking the collar tagging which should be found in early Wilson Royals jerseys. While doing some research, it became clear that the offered jersey on ebay is the same lot sold in the 2008 Robert Edwards Auction noted as a Jack McKeon Royals Spring Training ensemble (Lot #1390, authenticated by MEARS). The seller and I had been corresponding about this offering until I pointed out that it appeared to be the same jersey and uniform. It has been over 24 hours since my last attempt. Here's the link to the grouping as it was offered in the 2008 REA sale:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/...90.html#photos

As always, do your homework.

Regards,

Brian

[dcrules01]

So it was worn in Spring training by Jack Mckeon? I had this on my watchlist only because I like the jersey.Is it legit you mentioned the lack of tagging for early Wilson Royals Gamers?? Thanks

[cardinalbaseballfan]

I'm not saying it's not legit, just that it's likely not a gamer of Hawk Taylor's. First of all, Hawk's MLB career ended with the 1970 season (http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tayloha04.shtml). According to the MEARS research and authentication (look no further than the previously linked REA description), the jersey style dates to the 1971 or 72 season.

It's also known that the Royals had a number of farm affiliates also named "Royals" which had very similar, if not at times identical jerseys, with the exception of the set/year tagging in the collar. This jersey lacks that collar tagging. When it was in the 2008 REA, I called, thinking and hoping it was misidentified in the description and that it really was a Hawk Taylor offering. The folks at REA were great and pulled the jersey out while I was on the phone to check for any evidence of the collar tagging (looking for stitch holes as it would have had to have been removed). According to the rep with REA, there was nothing showing that the strip tagging had ever been in the collar. Had they lied, I would have taken the bait and gone after it at auction. I trusted their word and passed.

Also consider that McKeon was a manager in the Royals farm system at the time before he would become the big league manager of the Royals in 1973 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/mckeoja99.shtml).

Furthermore, the jersey exhibits the the "KC" sleeve patch, which wasn't applied until 1971 and beyond (http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/uniforms.asp?league=AL&city=Kansas+City&lowYear=19 69&highYear=1975&sort=year&increment=9&=Display+un iforms). I know this could have been added after the fact, but it would add another twist to the story. Finally, I have another Taylor jersey that is a size 44 from earlier in his career. Seems a little odd to me that he would go down in size during his final years, but that's just my opinion.

Suffice it to say, it seems as though REA and MEARS got this right, but others are trying to make it more. Which would you rather have--a uniform of an active roster player from the inaugural season of a franchise, or a uniform from a non-rostered coach in spring training a few years later?

This doesn't mean it's not a unique, early-Royals flannel, I just don't think it's what they're trying to make it out to be. Sorry to get so long-winded, I'm just trying to lay-out what I went through back in the summer when this was first offered.

[dcrules01]

Thanks for listing your opinions and it sounds like they are based on facts.That is what is great about this board everyones knowledge in each area.

[flaco1801]

i think a lot more people know trader jack than hawk taylor....

[Fred]

Just to clarify,I have a 1970 KC Royals home jersey(Don O'Riley)that has the Royals sleeve patch.I also have a 1970 Royals yearbook with a team picture.The jerseys in the picture have the sleeve patch.

[ultimetfan]

Hi Brian,

Do you have any Hawk Taylor items available? Ideally from when he was with the Mets?

I have a lot of interesting Mets items for trade. My email is jjburkeesq@aol.com

Best
Jessie

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR METS CATCHER ITEMS and bats from: Bruce Berenyl, Ed Lynch, Randy Niemann, Rick Anderson, and John Mitchell

[ferro39]

if my memory serves me right, the jersey, pants, hat, etc were offered for sale as a lot on ebay not too long ago and it was advertised as a jack mckeon game worn uniform

[dcrules01]

Well the lot together went for around $1100....

[cohibasmoker]

Royals collectors:

Is Hawk Taylor some sort of icon? I ask because the cap sold for a whole more money than I thought it would.

Jim