I am contacting former players for COA's on their G.U.

[jake33]

Will write more later, but I have been working on this for about a year. There are a few former Buccaneers/Devil Rays that I have game used items of that I have been trying to run down. I finally got in touch with 4 former Bucs to authenticate game used items of theirs. to be short, it has been a thrill.... Have a few interesting stories to tell when I get more time. (also am writing about this in more depth for my game used collecting book that I am in the process of creating).

[frikativ54]

Interesting idea. Can you always be sure that a player can identify which items he has used in a game? We've seen players inscribing game used, even if the items aren't. Don't mean to burst your bubble. Just curious how players' opinions are foolproof.

[ziggy]

For a few bucks they will sign anything you want them to sign It will probably help resale value but most of these guys have no idea what they used or wore

[nycpropain]

Not sure how a player would ID their jersey, hell even mantle screwed up on his saying that one was from his rookie season. After all that it wound up faker than fake.

[sox83cubs84]

Players' recollections of what they wore are all over the map. On one hand you have Bruce Bochte, who told a buddy of mine that the pullover Angels jersey of his that he had was a fake, beacuse "we wore button-down jerseys when I was there." The Angels stopped using buttondowns after 1972, and only resumed long after Bochte left the team.

On the other hand, there's Duke Snider, who, upon the Giants, was given jerseys of preseason cuts to try on to wear. He even remembers whose jerseys he finally settled on (P Bob Garibaldi).

The player's memories MAY be accurate, but it's not an automatic, by any means.

Dave Miedema

[LWMM]

I wouldn't say that a player's word should be the final one, but it certainly can't hurt. Players may remember their size or some distinguishing characteristics, for example, which coupled with other research could help to determine whether an item is authentic.

A lot of the posts in this thread see the issue as black and white. Players' input should not be taken at face, as said, but neither should it be rejected outright. Instead, it should be treated just like any other form of research: find out what you can, then take all the information that you have and weigh it.

[nycpropain]

I wouldn't say that a player's word should be the final one, but it certainly can't hurt. Players may remember their size or some distinguishing characteristics, for example, which coupled with other research could help to determine whether an item is authentic.

A lot of the posts in this thread see the issue as black and white. Players' input should not be taken at face, as said, but neither should it be rejected outright. Instead, it should be treated just like any other form of research: find out what you can, then take all the information that you have and weigh it.

I agree, but the op is talking about having players authenticate jerseys. I am sorry but unless the player understands different fabrics and when they where used his opinion is about "coa" worthy as someone who has no clue what they are talking about. The reason counterfeits are made are to deceive and look authentic, so yes having a few things like +2 length would be nice its hardly enough to issue a coa once it has left the players hands.

If I where to hand a player a Team issued or pro cut jersey there is no way unless the player marked his GU to tell if it was authentic. Then if he marks his jersey guess who duplicate this? You bet ya.

[jake33]

I am not using it for my purpose of authentication. I do my own research before purchasing from any seller or auction sight. I will go to the extreme of watching a particular game backwards and in slow motion to find game use or even nameplate linement. The 4 jerseys I have used for the project (All NFL) that the players are signing the coa, I have photomatches that I put on the coa, not really for my use, but if I am ever forced to sell them, it will greatly help.

Also, the players were far from big name guys and all were more than willing to do it. I did up the letter with a self addressed stamped envelope, then laminated the COA.

I am not sure how well this woulld work with baseball jerseys though. 2 years ago, i did mail former Rays pitcher Doug Creek a game use dhat I had of his and had him autograph it. But a game used MLB jersey would be hard to line up.

[jake33]

Actually, come to think of it I had Rays 09 all star ben zobrist autograph a game used batting helmet (W/ team LOA, photo match, mlb hologram) at a game vs. the white sox.

He has family near Chicago and is always willing to sign a lot before the game, so i brought the batting helmet that he already autographed and i wanted him to inscribe "2009 season game used" on the helmet. He first questioned me and said "are you SURE I used this?" I said yes and he inspected it over for about a minute and then signed it. I asked him if there was any issues and he said the helmet was good, but he certainly had me nervous for a bit since the helmet was only worn in 1 game and it is not pounded with use.

[nycpropain]

I am not using it for my purpose of authentication.

I am not sure how to word this with out coming off as a jerk but you do know the letter A in LOA is authenticity right?