Primer on Russell Tagging - 1992-2005

[kingjammy24]

hello,

Thanks for all the insightful comments. I've incorporated them into a revised version of the 'primer' and posted an updated image in place of the older one.

Swoboda: I believe the flag tags & set tags are sewn underneath the main manufacturers tag. This would mean that these tags would be sewn on first and the manufacturer label sewn on top. See my reply to your similar question regarding rawlings tags in the rawlings primer.

Spezio: I'm 'quite certain' that 1992 was the only year to incorporate that specific style of Russell tagging (with the "Major League Baseball" text), *unless Russell produced both styles simultaneously.*
I too have seen several 1993's and 1994's with the '1992' style tagging and simply assumed they were carry-overs. Carry-overs arent uncommon.
Same goes for your 2001's with 2000 style tagging. I have noticed carry-overs with Wilson and Rawlings jerseys as well. The majority of 2004's I've seen had 2001-2003 style tagging. Very few had the 2004 style you've shown. This simply indicates to me the prevalence of carryovers.

Rob: Good call. I don't know why i put 2005. Sloppyness I suppose. Majestic pretty much handled the entire MLB in 2005.

One of the main benefits of these primers is to help people identify fakes. It would be common, for example, to see 1993 jersey with 1992 style tagging or a 2004 jersey with 2001-2003 style tagging. It should be impossible to see a 1993 jersey with 1997-1999 style tagging. When I set out to do Russell tags, I thought it would be a pretty short list because the white Russell label always looked the same to me. Someone could've easily doctored up a 1997 jersey with a 1992 player name and I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference simply from the Russell tag alone. Now I can. While I agree with Spezio that 'there are exceptions', it's impossible to travel into the future so this primer should help detect jerseys with tags that don't match the era. (eg: a '1992' jersey with 1997 style tagging).

For those interested, when I make these, I try to collect as many tags as I can possibly find for each year. I typically end up with about 25 tags per year from both american league and national league teams. I organize them by year and then try to spot the changes and re-designs.

Rudy.

[trsent]

Rudy, in 2004 Russell changed there tags again, the ATHLETIC in Russell Athletic was changed in style and color.

Also, do not be surprised if a 2001-2003 jersey has a 2000 Russell tag or a 2004 Russell jersey has a 2001-2003 Russell tag, etc...

They don't care as much as we do!

[RobSteinmetz]

Just to clarify, there were no Russell jerseys worn in the Major Leagues in 2005. Every team is now contractually obligated to wear Majestic jerseys.

[trsent]

Just to clarify, there were no Russell jerseys worn in the Major Leagues in 2005. Every team is now contractually obligated to wear Majestic jerseys.

Oh yeah, I edited my previous post, as I was half asleep when I posted it.

When you find a 2005 Russell, 1st email Rudy, then call Ghostbusters.

Who you gonna call?