Josh Hamilton Jersey Authenticated to 5 Games, Including WS

[frikativ54]

Since there seem to be lots of Ranger fans on this board, I thought I would share the following from MLB.com Auctions: Josh Hamilton World Series Jersey.

Although the starting bid is $4,000, the jersey is a collector's dream, as it is authenticated to five separate games, including two World Series competitions with St. Louis.

I'm curious as to what kind of value fans will put on this jersey, given Josh Hamilton's latest lapse in his battle to keep sober.

Any thoughts?

[rdeversole]

If I had some extra dough right now, I'd seriously consider bidding. His personal life is his business not mine.

[yanks12025]

Actually I think his personal life would play a huge part. Because say he slipped again and again and got back into drugs and drinking alot. Next thing you know, he's out of the game for good. So then what would the jersey be worth?

[slam]

Actually I think his personal life would play a huge part. Because say he slipped again and again and got back into drugs and drinking alot. Next thing you know, he's out of the game for good. So then what would the jersey be worth?

Even if he didn't slip again it's not like he's going to be a Hall of Famer. 10 years after he retires he'll be nothing more than a good player and you'll never be able to get $4k back. Just my opinion.

[David]

I think it's a matter of how his troubles effect his production and playing time. I don't think an isolated lapse is a problem. I also don't equate it with a scandal.

[David]

Too much drinking and partying can shorten a career, whether or not you're an alcoholic.

[nickacs]

Even if he didn't slip again it's not like he's going to be a Hall of Famer. 10 years after he retires he'll be nothing more than a good player and you'll never be able to get $4k back. Just my opinion.

+1... I would love to get a WS jersey of a "star" player, but $4k for Hamilton is just plain stupid. More like $1k starting bid is more like it. Not sure how MLB came up with that starting bid of $4k?! Pa-leeze!

Would've bid if it started a lot lower, but at $4k, if your a collector that loves Hamilton, it's a grail for your collection

[frikativ54]

Even if he didn't slip again it's not like he's going to be a Hall of Famer. 10 years after he retires he'll be nothing more than a good player and you'll never be able to get $4k back. Just my opinion.

I'm curious how much currency Hamilton's story will have 20 years from now. Only being in my twenties, I don't have much firsthand historical knowledge of how these things play out, as I don't remember what baseball was like before 1993. Will Hamilton's story be forgotten?

[joelsabi]

I'm curious how much currency Hamilton's story will have 20 years from now. Only being in my twenties, I don't have much firsthand historical knowledge of how these things play out, as I don't remember what baseball was like before 1993. Will Hamilton's story be forgotten?

Well I wasn't around to see Mickey Mantle play but I had the interest to know about his career and have read some of his biographies. Mantle is the person that remind me most of Hamilton. Both suffered from Alcoholism as you know.

The difference as I see it is being Mantle started his career while still drinking and continued until it caught up with him. Mantle received little or no professional help from his organization. Mantle is considered the best player of his era. Mantle played physically hard and was injured often. But Mantle also hit the magic 500 mark for home runs to solidify his HOF status. Playing for the Yanks doesnt hurt either.

On the other hand, Hamilton started his career later because of his alcoholism. It stymied his life. Hamilton is considered one of the best players in MLB today. He is currently receiving help for his alcoholism so this is a big difference from Mantle. But it seems unlikely that Hamilton will have the career stats to have a HOF career. In this sense he reminds me of Dave Parker but Parker's vice was cocaine which cause a suspension from the game and not obtaining his full potential to have HOF players like stats.

Both Mantle's and Hamilton's story are very interesting as people can relate to it. Every person out there knows someone who has abuse alcohol so I think it is safe to say that people will remember him. It's the tragedy of the great God given talent that is not fulfilled that gets people's attention. I think Hamilton will be remembered more if he becomes sober again as it means he was not defeated by alcohol and that is why many fans root for Hamilton now.

[onlyalbert]

+1... I would love to get a WS jersey of a "star" player, but $4k for Hamilton is just plain stupid. More like $1k starting bid is more like it. Not sure how MLB came up with that starting bid of $4k?! Pa-leeze!

Would've bid if it started a lot lower, but at $4k, if your a collector that loves Hamilton, it's a grail for your collection

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_f...ad.php?t=48455

Did you see the prices of the jerseys from the Cardinals after the WS? All of the big name players were at auction. The lessor names were sold in the team store at the Winter Warm Up. I know for a fact the Freese and Carp jerserys were matched to the NLCS and some WS games.