1990 St. Louis Cardinals Jersey Help

[RJB44]

I had a question about the 1990 Cardinals jersey. I recently picked up a Cardinals grey knit, complete with the AAB JR patch. Two things came to my attention, 1) the placement of the Rawlings script on the right sleeve, and 2) the absence of a "year/set flag" As I compared the jersey with photos on Getty for 1990, the grey knits have the Rawlings script in white embroider on the sleeve border, whereas the knit that I have has the script in dark blue, above the sleeve border. I also looked at the 1991 and 1989 jerseys on Getty as well, and it appears they to have the white border script. The jersey is for Ray Stephens, a catcher who played with the cards in 1990 and 1991. It does not appear there was any name or number change on the jersey. I would appreciate any feedback on this inquiry

[sox83cubs84]

Can you post a photo of the tags? It's possible that this may be a 1987 or 1988 jersey shell issued to Stephens in 1990. In that era, there were small numbers of Cardinals knits that didn't employ a flag tag.

Dave M.
Chicago area

[STLCardinalscollector]

I have two Cardinals jerseys with the AAB Jr patch. Both are home whites with the Rawlings in white on the outside right sleeve. Neither one has a year tag, and I have seen others in auctions that don't have the year tag.
Hope that helps a little.
David
dcardfan@aol.com

[RJB44]

Here is a picture of the the tagging. Also, another picture of a 1990 w/AAB Jr patch. I assume the AAB Jr patch was only worn during 1990, and only by the Major League club (not minor leagues). Note: Rawlings tag is on the lower inside.

Thanks
RJB44

[Lokee]

I thought the AAB jr patch was only worn in 1989 not 1990.

[kingjammy24]

that rawlings tag isn't from 1990. it's from 1985-87.

prior to 1987, rawlings didn't put their logo on the sleeves at all. 1987 was the first year rawlings had a sleeve logo. your jersey, at least the shell, is from 1987.



rudy.

[Lokee]

In 1990 Ray played 5 games and in 1991 he played 6 with STL. Could have been a September Call-Up and the jersey could have been made then hence why the script is in a different place and no set tag is present.

[sox83cubs84]

I woulda said it, but Rudy beat me to it.

Dave M.
Chicago area

[RJB44]

So, is it fair to say that what I have is a 1987 Rawlings, that was perhaps pulled from storage and prepared for Ray at the end of 1990 season, including adding the AAB Jr patch.

[Birdbats]

So, is it fair to say that what I have is a 1987 Rawlings, that was perhaps pulled from storage and prepared for Ray at the end of 1990 season, including adding the AAB Jr patch.

I think you're right on. Year flags are rare on '87 Cardinals jerseys. In my experience, if the Rawlings word mark is in the sleeve field (not the blue banding) and there's no year flag, the jersey was made in 1987.

Also, I've personally seen more pre-1990 jerseys with the AAB patch than actual 1990 shirts with the patch. The team recycled shirts back then.