You Coulda Had It- John Franco Rookie Jersey

[Eric]

Here's a good installment of "You Coulda Had It"

Featured today is an ebay listing by jonsstats, who very often had interesting rare game used items.

Someone got a great deal on a John Franco rookie jersey. At the start of his career his number was 52 (I even checked it in the textbook Now Batting Number... which lists every player and every number they wore)

Someone got a steal at $380
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Here's the description

THIS AUCTION IS FOR A 1984 JOHN FRANCO CINCINNATI REDS MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME WORN/USED JERSEY. WORN BY FRANCO AT THE START OF HIS ROOKIE YEAR. JERSEY IS TAGGED FROM 1983 AND IT IS NUMBER 52, A NUMBER ONLY WORN BY FRANCO AT THE START OF HIS ROOKIE YEAR AND THEN HE SWITCHED TO NUMBER 31. AS PER YEAR TAG, VERY COMMON TO PLACE TO HAVE A JERSEY ACTUALLY TAGGED A YEAR BEFORE USAGE AS NOT USED THAT YEAR AND THEN USED THE FOLLOWING YEAR BY A GIVEN PLAYER. SHOWS TREMENDOUS USAGE!!! WONDERFUL EYE APPEAL!!! JOHN FRANCO IS A PROBABLE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME RELIEF PITCHER AND THIS IS MORE THAN LIKELY THE FIRST JERSEY HE EVER WORE IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES!!!!. NO RESERVE AND SHIPPING IS $8.50. I SHIP ONLY VIA UPS AND ONLY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. NO EXCEPTIONS TO EITHER SHIPPING RULES. UPS WILL NOT DELIVER TO A PO BOX SO YOU MUST PROVIDE ME WITH A STREET ADDRESS TO SHIP TO. I ACCEPT AMEX, VISA, MASTERCARD, PERSONAL CHECK, CASHIERS CHECK, MONEY ORDER, OR PAYPAL. TEXAS RESIDENTS MUST ADD 8.125% SALES TAX TO FINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THANKS.

[hblakewolf]

Eric-
Help me understand your post. What makes you think this is such a steal? Is this a particularly difficult style (no)? Is Franco the type of player people seek equipment from (no)?

What am I missing here?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[Eric]

Howard

Maybe it's just me and I like the rare ones. How many other jerseys are you going to find with a player's rooke number?

I don't collect Franco, but he was a 4 time all star and 3rd all time in saves. For the right collector, to me that seems like a great price on a rare jersey

I have a Paul O'Neill rookie jersey with the Reds where he wore #57 and it's one of my favorite items. (Got it from Rob Steinmetz at Authentic Gamers- thanks Rob!) Can't be too many out there.

Eric

[hblakewolf]

Eric-
By all means, I agree that it's a scarce jersey, but in terms of someone getting a "deal", $380 appears to be on the mark.

Reds jerseys of this mid 1980's era were never very difficult to locate, especially with dealers such as Hartel and Paul Kinzer buying in bulk and then offering them for years at reasonable prices.

$380. for Concepcion, Cedeno or even Parker may be a "steal". Who really cares about John Franco, let alone a 1983 tagged jersey that was not worn by him until the following season, 1984?

A 2000 Mets World Series jersey might be a "steal" at $380., but a Reds rookie??????

Just my thoughts.....

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

Howard

Maybe it's just me and I like the rare ones. How many other jerseys are you going to find with a player's rooke number?

I don't collect Franco, but he was a 4 time all star and 3rd all time in saves. For the right collector, to me that seems like a great price on a rare jersey

I have a Paul O'Neill rookie jersey with the Reds where he wore #57 and it's one of my favorite items. Can't be too many out there.

Eric

[trsent]

As I often preach:

The jersey in question to some is priceless, but to most it is worthless.

I'd say if you walked down the street trying to sell the jersey you wouldn't get $380.00. Some people would run away from you, some would offer you $1.00 or $5.00 for a jersey to wear, and maybe you'd find a sports nut who would give you $20.00.

If you walked into the John Franco home, you may get $1000.00 for the jersey.

Since eBay has become the world's largest marketplace, the public figured the jersey was worth $380.00 this week.

A steal to some, average to others but overpriced to the majority of the living world.

[Eric]

Well, you all squeezed the fun outta that thread. On to the next one...

[trsent]

Well, you all squeezed the fun outta that thread. On to the next one...

Could you lock the door on this one then?

[Eric]

I'm not going to lock the door on this one in case someone out there finds some joy in looking at the listing and sharing a similar experience with a rookie shirt they bought that they enjoy having in their collection.

Someone out there has to be having some fun with the hobby...
Eric

[sportscentury]

When I was at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this year, there was a ton of talk about relievers getting into the Hall (because Bruce Sutter was inducted this year). Everyone knows that Mariano will get in. Other relievers who were paid some recognition included Gossage, Lee Smith, Hoffman, and Franco. If Franco does get into the Hall (and while I don't think that this is a sure thing, I do believe he will get some consideration), that jersey will likely be worth a good bit. An interesting not about Franco: In the 2000 subway series, the Mets took only one game from the Yanks. The winning pitcher was Franco, who got the win coming out of the bullpen. So, I don't think the jersey is necessarily the greatest steal in the world right now, but it could prove to be a very good investment, depending on how Franco fares with the baseball writers.

Reid

[Eric]

Ok Reid-

Props to you for trying to save the thread with some positive talk.

Any Mets or Reds guys out there who are kicking themselves for not knowing the Franco jersey was around?

(I know- this is the definition of beating a dead horse)

Eric