Newest Met Mystery

[Swoboda4]

During my daily search for G/U Met jackets I came across this offering:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1986-Keith-Miller-Game-Worn-Starter-Jacket-Mets-Large_W0QQitemZ200372852817QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_SM_Fan_Shop?hash=item2ea7271851&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

A game worn 1986 Starter Keith Miller jacket.


Keith Miller wore #25 throughout his Met career. Even #25 in some Spring Training photos. There's been three Mets,including coaches who ever wore #58 none named miller(kind of low,only three)most notable is Sandy Alomar Jr
Of all the players who's last name is Miller and there are five, none ever wore #58. So indeed another Met mystery.
I'm guessing Miller was given this in Spring Training '85,'86 ? He never played for the 1986 Mets by the way(Mets debut 6-16-1987) so ST jacket?
I emailed Zane and I'm guessing he's on vacation. I'm surprised to find he's not a member of this forum(member search) I thought he was(unless under a different name).

[TNTtoys]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

During my daily search for G/U Met jackets I came across this offering:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1986-Keith-Miller-Game-Worn-Starter-Jacket-Mets-Large_W0QQitemZ200372852817QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_SM_Fan_Shop?hash=item2ea7271851&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

A game worn 1986 Starter Keith Miller jacket.


Keith Miller wore #25 throughout his Met career. Even #25 in some Spring Training photos. There's been three Mets,including coaches who ever wore #58 none named miller(kind of low,only three)most notable is Sandy Alomar Jr
Of all the players who's last name is Miller and there are five, none ever wore #58. So indeed another Met mystery.
I'm guessing Miller was given this in Spring Training '85,'86 ? He never played for the 1986 Mets by the way(Mets debut 6-16-1987) so ST jacket?
I emailed Zane and I'm guessing he's on vacation. I'm surprised to find he's not a member of this forum(member search) I thought he was(unless under a different name).

I would start with the '86 Media Guide for this one. Does anyone on the forum have a copy? The player # should be able to be verified in the guide (keep in mind he would have only been on the Mets in ST that year; his first season of Major League ball was 1987.

[gingi79]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

Perhaps I am way off base here but I purchased a on-field authentic Oakland A's jacket from Gerry Cosby in 1988 and had McGwire sewn onto the back.

Is it possible that some guy named Joe "Schmoe" Miller who wears #58 in his Softball Beer League wanted to do the same thing with a Mets jacket?

I am in no way accusing anyone of misrepresentation, I'm speaking hypothetically.

By the way, the A's jacket was stolen from me when I was at college in 1998. If anyone ever sees it for sale, I am offering a reward and the current owner will be arrested. Just an FYI

[Swoboda4]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

I collect the Starter Met jackets (Name on Back)because its virtually impossible to fake them. And there unique. This is probably a ST jacket. But at $500? That was probably a nod to the '86 team. But not enough homework by the seller. I just acquired a Mike Marshall Met heavy Starter jacket and short sleeve batting practice pull over both have numbers and names on back signed letters from Marshall totall was $400 both. The David West heavy jacket went for under $100. So,$500 +shipping for "Miller"?

If you are set to press charges against the current owner of the McGwire jacket maybe you won't get a response as fast as if you target who sold it to him. Unless the thief still has it. And I doubt that.

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

It doesn't look to be from 1987 ST, as Street & Smith's shows Keith Miller as #62 that spring.

Dave M.

[Swoboda4]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

Dave M. Thank you. So not just #25 in spring training. He signed as a amateur w/Mets in Sept 84 So it possible in '85 or '86 ST he wore #58. Did they issue long sleeve jackets in spring training anyway?With name on back to single A amatuer league players for their less than a month stay before being shipped back to 1985 A-Lynchburg and then 1986-Jackson? I'm doubting that.
here's a ST photo with #6,so another number(and to answer my own question as to the need for jackets in ST-long sleeves in Florida).

[metsbats]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

That jacket in my opinion is not from 86.

There were 3 styles of jackets during the 86 season and they all had the 25th anniversary patch.

1. Heavy Starter blue full zipper jacket
2. Cloth BP full zipper jacket
3. Windbreaker


The jacket in the auction is half zippered and does not have the patch.

[metsbats]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

Here's a photo from the 86 WS.

1 Bobby O wearing the heavy jacket w/ patch
2. Borat wearing the BP cloth type (the patch cannot be seen but it's on the left shoulder)

[metsbats]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

Here's a better shot of the jacket style no. 2 with patch...

[Swoboda4]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

David,whats going on. Thanks. So that hopefully narrows it down to ST 1985. Anyone with a guide book from '85?
I'm starting to lose interest in this but I've never seen any of these jackets forged ever. The closest to someone not ever wearing one but it was made for them was Mark Langston(Mets made the trade sending Howard johnson,Tampani,West but Mariners pulled out at last second). I was in the Mets clubhouse shop in Queens I think 1989 and hanging from the ceiling for sale was the unused Met jacket with LANGSTON stiched on the back. I think they wanted $190 back then which was crazy but I wish I had it now. But again I've never seen a NOB jacket/warm-up forged.

[metsbats]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

Here's a photo from game 6 of the 86 NLCS. Rafael Santana is wearing the style no. 3 of jacket.

[metsbats]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

David,whats going on. Thanks. So that hopefully narrows it down to ST 1985. Anyone with a guide book from '85?
I'm starting to lose interest in this but I've never seen any of these jackets forged ever. The closest to someone not ever wearing one but it was made for them was Mark Langston(Mets made the trade sending Howard johnson,Tampani,West but Mariners pulled out at last second). I was in the Mets clubhouse shop in Queens I think 1989 and hanging from the ceiling for sale was the unused Met jacket with LANGSTON stiched on the back. I think they wanted $190 back then which was crazy but I wish I had it now. But again I've never seen a NOB jacket/warm-up forged.

Robert,

I don't think this jersey is from 85 either. The half zipper style of starter jackets didn't start until at best 89- into the early 90's in my opinion.

The only other Miller who was active in the Met organization during that era was Rich Miller who was a minor league manager and roving instructor.

It's certainly a mystery who this jersey belongs to but it certainly is not from 1986.

[dcrules01]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

Here is one of those Starter half zipper...

[Swoboda4]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

Dave,Rich Miller-sounds interesting. maybe.
Anyway,I love these jackets.

[Swoboda4]

Re: Newest Met Mystery

How about another mystery. In 2000 I bought a non-game used Met jacket on e-bay. It was brand new ,#12 o sleeve and the e-bay seller(from New jersey-forgot his name)was selling about 7 others including #31.
Has anyone else ever seen a retail Met jacket sold with a number on the sleeve? Is this real and was it(were they) stolen? I believe the number would for the style belong to coach John Stearns.