Orlando Sentinel on Steiner

[Eric]

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PRICE OF THE YANKEES

Chris Olds
Sentinel Staff Writer

September 3, 2006

They have legions of fans -- and legions of haters -- and when it comes to the New York Yankees, everything has a price, not just the free agents that owner George Steinbrenner wants. Want the lineup card off the dugout wall? Want the shirt off Alex Rodriguez's back? They can be yours (for a hefty price) through a business agreement with the team and New York-based memorabilia company Steiner Sports. Here's a look at what game-used items can be purchased at steinersports.com when you click on "game-used collectibles from The Bronx."

Game-used batting helmets

These are among the rarest of game-worn items, considering that a player could use just one for the entire 162-game season. Unmarked game-issued helmets sell for a mere $200, while a helmet worn by longtime Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams during the 2004 or 2005 season will cost you a cool $4,000. Want one with a No. 13 on the bill worn by A-Rod here? Steiner doesn't post the hefty price -- you must "please inquire."

Game-used caps

We doubt A-Rod sullies his Yankees cap by wearing it underneath his batting helmet like some old-school players of the past, but you should expect to pay Hall of Famer prices for an A-Rod hat. None is available right now, but caps worn by shortstop Derek Jeter go for $5,000. Can't afford that? Try a Wil Nieves cap from 2005 (when he played in three games for the Yankees) for $150.

Game-used bats

Game-used bats are relatively common -- since most sluggers keep dozens of them on hand at all times -- but that doesn't deter collectors from driving up prices by demanding the clubs swung by their heroes. The best things? The grungier they are with pine tar and ball marks, the better, and they're often more affordable than other items. A-Rod's P72 model Louisville Slugger, though, sells for $4,000. The price may be high by some standards, but there's no question that it's authentic coming straight from the team. Bats used by New York role players such as former University of Alabama player Andy Phillips sell for $250.

Game-used jerseys

They're not the rarest items these days -- trading-card companies routinely buy game-worn jerseys to chop them up to make special cards -- but jerseys are always among the most popular, if not the most popular, items. The prices show. Steiner sells the Yankees' famous pinstriped home jerseys, their road jerseys and even their navy batting practice and spring-training jerseys. How much? Well, A-Rod's is again unavailable, but Manager Joe Torre's home jerseys from 2005 sell for $7,500 -- and all he did was hang out in the dugout and make an occasional jog to the pitcher's mound. Fringe players' jerseys sell for $150, but most are $500 and up. (It's not cheap to be a Yankees fan if you haven't figured it out.)

Game-used pants

We're not sure who really would want these (but the card companies again have a blast with the scissors), but they are cheaper than jerseys. A pair of A-Rod's pants from 2004 will cost you $2,500 -- wallet not included -- while Cecilio Guante's aged 1987 road pants will put you back $250.

Game-used cleats

Shoes are more commonly collected by basketball fans, but that also doesn't mean these are cheap. A single autographed Derek Jeter cleat costs $2,500. A-Rod's aren't available, and there's no word on whether any of them come with that extra-special added value -- odor.

Game-used batting gloves

Steiner sells very few of these -- sorry, no A-Rod. One signed Derek Jeter Nike glove (left hand) will cost you $999.99.

Other items

One of Steiner's more interesting programs allows fans to pick a date and order items from that day's game. Bases, baseballs and the lineup card can be had for Yankees home games, but the lineup card is the only thing available for road games since the balls and bases are purchased and owned by the home teams. The lineup card from today's game against the Twins already has been purchased ($499), as have all available baseballs ($149 each), but bases are still available for $399.

Among the many other items up for grabs include clubhouse storage trunks ($7,500), bullpen catcher's gear such as shinguards ($1,000), locker signs (A-Rod's will cost you $400), bullpen jackets ($300), bunting from the stadium ($1,000), clubhouse chairs (Johnny Damon's is $1,500) and visiting team's dugout logos (think on-deck circle) at $1,500 a pop.

Home plate . . . and more

Diehard Yankees fans can buy home plate, too, but they don't use many. The plate used from April 11 to April 30 of this season can be yours for $1,250.

If that's not enough, fans who attend a game in The Bronx can have their ticket stubs framed with a replica lineup card, a description of the game and, get this, a package of dirt from the field for $99.99. That's right, even the dirt at Yankee Stadium is for sale.

SOURCES: STEINERSPORTS.COM

[indyred]

So with all the Arod bashing, does his stuff sell better than Jeter's on Steiner's site?