Bobby Bonds Cardinals jersey on ebay

[sox83cubs84]

Back in the era, the Cardinals did recycle jerseys...I've seen more than a few 1978 jerseys with the 1979-80 sleeve numbers and 1979-80 gamers with the post-1980 front numbers. I'm not automatically giving the Bonds a thumbs up, but I am saying that the year tag/year of usage diffrential is not unheard of.

Dave Miedema

[mook03005]

Thanks dave

[Birdbats]

I wrote about this jersey on my blog a couple weeks ago. Hope this helps.

June 25, 2012. Last Friday, Uni-Watch published a short piece about players who wore numbers 0 and 00. The Cardinals have three representatives in this group, Kerry Robinson (#0), Bobby Bonds and Omar Olivares (both #00, though Olivares says those weren't zeros, they were his initials). I pulled out my 1980 Cardinals yearbook to see if there was a story about why Bonds chose #00. No luck, but I did see photos of him wearing #26. According to Cardinals Journal, Bonds wanted #25, but George Hendrick had that number. Apparently, Bonds chose #26 during spring training, but by opening day, he was wearing #00. Now, look what shows up on eBay -- a Bonds #26 jersey. The seller says "O'Brien" was removed from the back and replaced with "Bonds." Makes sense -- Dan O'Brien wore #26 in 1979. But, the seller also suggests Bonds wore #26 during the regular season, referencing Baseball Almanac. Problem is, BA does not include #26 as a number for Bonds in 1980. BA is accurate -- Bonds wore only #00 during the regular season; #26 was his spring training number.

[mook03005]

Thanks for all the research fellas...I actually have a bat of his from 1980 with #00 on the handle, so I knew for the most part he wore these digits through the '80 season, albeit I didnt know the specific dates he wore #26. Anyhow this is a tough call, might have to pass this one up, sucks a cards bonds gamer is my grail

[MSpecht]

Baseball By The Numbers lists Bonds as wearing both 00 and 26 in 1980. It seems likely however that Jeff is correct, as number 26 was also worn by pitcher Don Hood. Hood was signed as a free agent by the Cards on 3/13/80, and released following the season on 10/25/80. Since Hood appeared in 35 games for the Birds that year, it is likely that he was on the roster all season, and was given number 26 sometime between 3/13/80 and the start of the season (presuming he was on the opening day roster.)

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[Birdbats]

Baseball By The Numbers lists Bonds as wearing both 00 and 26 in 1980. It seems likely however that Jeff is correct, as number 26 was also worn by pitcher Don Hood. Hood was signed as a free agent by the Cards on 3/13/80, and released following the season on 10/25/80. Since Hood appeared in 35 games for the Birds that year, it is likely that he was on the roster all season, and was given number 26 sometime between 3/13/80 and the start of the season (presuming he was on the opening day roster.)

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

Hood pitched his first game on 4/11, so he was on the roster opening day (which was 4/10). He was #26. Baseball by the Numbers was a great starting point, but its many errors have been corrected over the years.

[xpress34]

Baseball By The Numbers lists Bonds as wearing both 00 and 26 in 1980. It seems likely however that Jeff is correct, as number 26 was also worn by pitcher Don Hood. Hood was signed as a free agent by the Cards on 3/13/80, and released following the season on 10/25/80. Since Hood appeared in 35 games for the Birds that year, it is likely that he was on the roster all season, and was given number 26 sometime between 3/13/80 and the start of the season (presuming he was on the opening day roster.)

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

Baseball Almanac shows Hood on Roster as 26 and Bonds as 00 for 1980 as well:

1980 St Louis Cardinals Roster

- Smitty

[mook03005]

I just wanted to thanks you guys here on GUU and the seller Marcus (MCHMAJ), for assisting me and providing great insight on a grail that I happily bought....a Bobby Bonds Cards Spring jersey 1980. I got the green light from a major authenticator and will soon be shipping this to Mediema for a second opinion. Luckily over the years I was also to find a matching 1980 Bonds Game worn hat and Bat #00. I was also able to find a spring training picture photomatching Bobby wearing the jersey.

Widely overlooked and underrated, Bobby was an innovative player, and despite battling many demons, he showed unbelievable power and speed for that time period . He was in the top 5 of every statistical category (Strikeouts included) in the 1970s decade. 30/30 5 times!!!

[Birdbats]

Anyhow this is a tough call, might have to pass this one up, sucks a cards bonds gamer is my grail

You may never find a 00 regular-season Bonds because it may have been recycled. If you really want a Bonds Cardinals jersey, this might be your best chance. If you tactfully let the seller know that you know it's only a spring training jersey, maybe he'll negotiate the price.