Anyone ever "receive an offer" from a player for their G/U equipment?

[TNTtoys]

I've been having an ongoing discussion with another forum member over email related to making deals with players for their game used jerseys, bats, etc.

Has anyone out there come across this situation --

You show a player his original bat, jersey, etc. (it could be for his signature, etc.) and that player realizes the significance of that particular item from his career and then offers you cash on the spot for your item? or a trade for a different game used item from his own personal collection?

If so, please post stories!!

[012562]

In the late 1980's, I took a game used rookie jersey of a baseball player to a card show to get the player to sign it. The player was surprised and delighted to see it, and signed it as requested. When he signed it, he was sitting next to the show promoter at the table. The show promoter contacted me later since he knew me through the hobby and said the player really wanted the shirt back, but was too shy to ask me, so the promoter offered to buy it and give it back to the player. I gladly accepted the offer, and sold the shirt to the promoter for my cost, $100. Many years later, I saw a photo of the player's personal TV or game room at home, and I could see the jersey displayed in the corner.

Tom Duino

[island_style]

Nick, great post.

I've often wondered the same thing. I haven't had any offers from the players to get their equipment back, but they have always thanked me for showing me the items and graciously signed.

(This reminds me of Howard's classic, timeless story of his experience with Kirk Gibson at the ballpark and Gibson's game used helmet.)

How about his scenario: Has anyone ever had an auction on eBay that was pursued by a player or their agent?

Kind Regards,

Ron.

Rsamiano@aol.com

[Yankwood]

In 1987, Willie Mays signed a game bat for me. As I was walking around the card show after, the man who was representing Mays told me "Mr. Mays would like to know if you would sell him the bat." I had just bought the bat a few weeks prior for $600.(inflation?) He said Willie told him he was prepared to pay $1000. Even though the $400 profit seemed like a lot back then, I respectfully declned. The autograph cost me $10 that day. How I yearn for the old days.

[hblakewolf]

While living in Seattle in 1993, I went to the Mariners game when they were playing the Royals. At the time, I had quite a few game used Expos batting helmets, and had pitcher Chris Haney's rookie helmet. It was extremely nice, not only for the fact that it was a pitchers helmet, but it was also a rookie 1991 gamer with the Desert Storm sticker on back (the tough Canadian version as compared to the U.S. version).

I arrived during the Royals batting practice, and asked Haney to come over to the railing near home plate, in order to seek an autograph on the helmet. When I handed him the helmt and pen, he looked at me as though he had seen a ghost! Not only was he extremely surprised that I had it, he indicated it was indeed his from his rookie season! He then said, "I'd love to have this back". He indicated he collected some of his game used items, and would enjoy adding this to his collection. I informed him that I would trade him the helmet for an equal value game used item. He said he only had a backup Rawlings glove, and would trade me for the helmet. When I agreed, he went into the locker room, and came back with the glove. We made the trade, and I sold the glove the following day.

Another player who traded with me was pitcher Mike Jackson. When he came over from the Phillies to the M's, I went to the game with his rookie Phillies jersey in hand, in hopes of getting it autographed. When I approched him, it was a similar situation as Haney. In summary, Jackson said to come down near the dugout after the game, and he would work a trade. Sheepishly, I asked him for his game worn M's jersey. After the game, he handed me a brown bag, and asked if it was "O.K"????? Inside the bag was his current season's home jersey. At the time, M's jerseys were extremely scarce, thus, I made the trade.

The Kirk Gibson story? It will have to wait until another Forum reader makes a post seeking stories about players who desire to fight with fans.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[rose14]

I will be missing Sportsfest in Chicago this weekend to attend the Cardinals-Angels series in St. Louis. I am taking my two Vladimir Guerrero minor league jerseys for him to sign. One jersey is already signed on the front but I want to get him to sign it on the back as well. I haven't really thought about what I would say if he were to ask to get them from me. I expect he would want them back as they were his first two jerseys he wore as a professional. I would ask for a trade but I don't know what would be fair since these are so rare and basicly one of a kind compared to one of his regular Angels jerseys. Here are the jerseys.

What would be a fair trade if he were to want them back?

Todd

[33bird]

1. I sent a mid -70's Twins jersey gamer of Harmon Killebrew to a show to have him sign it "game used". I got an email after the signing saying that Harmon didn't want to sign it because he wanted it back. The agent gave Harmon my number and sent my jersey back unsigned. He said Harmon would call me within the next 2 weeks and wanted to work out a deal. I waited and waited, but he never called. I didn't care if we worked out a deal or not, it would have been cool to talk to the Killer.
2. Chris Smith who has many of his game used items in the Reds Museum had Cesar Geronimo sign his game used 1976 Bicentennial bat at a show. Bat has real nice use and Cesar told him that he remembered that bat. When Chris asked him how? Cesar replied by the big Red bat rack steak that ran down the barrel of the bat. Chris didn't tell me if Cesar wanted the bat back, but I thought it was cool that he remembered the bat from 20-30 years ago. I have that bat now.
3. Pete Rose came to my dad's sports museum opening in Medford, Oregon in 1985. We hung out with him a lot. It was during my Junior year of high school basketball and we had a game that night. My dad was telling Pete how I was the best player in the state and Pete said I'll be there tonight to watch ya. He never showed. He said the next day that it would have caused too much of a ruckus if he showed up. Anyway, it would have been cool to tell people that Pete Rose came to see me play a game in high school.
Greg

[soxbats]

One of my GU collection focuses is jerseys, sneakers and shorts from Temple University Basketball players either in college or the pros (I have about 30). I had a great Mark Macon GU Nuggets jersey that I got for around $100. He was hired as a Temple asst coach and I brought the jersey to a "chalk talk" for season ticket holders for him to sign.

I approached him afterward and he held up the jersey and said he had been looking for one for years, that he was collecting these and that the NBA would not (or could not) even give him a reproduction. He announced this in from of about 20 onlookers waiting to speak with him. I should have asked him for a trade, but instead I just gave it to him. I guess I just felt like it was his and if I was in his position I would hope someone would give it back.

Of course my motives were not entirely pure, I asked him to help me get access to Temple basketball jerseys. These do not come into the market and I have been trying for years to find a source.

Macon never returned my calls or letters and I never got anything in return for my good deed. Further, I have been unable to find any Macon jerseys on the market so it has become a gaping hole in my collection to boot. OUCH:(

[TNTtoys]

This thought came to mind after 3 events --

1. an email conversation regarding possibilities of approaching ballplayers to make a trade.

2. recollection of the events around my buying a jersey last year. It was a 1982 baby blue Texas Rangers jersey issued to Ron Darling. Had Darling not been traded to the Mets prior to making his first start in the majors, this would have been his rookie jersey. Certainly an odd find, not a game used jersey, but nevertheless a rare collectible. Anyway, the guy who sold it to me told me that he brought it to Ron for a signature, and Ron told him that he would love to have the jersey. The guy politely declined, Ron signed the jersey, and some 15 years later it made its way into my collection.

3. tossing around a wacky scenario in my head. A few weeks ago, I met Bill Robinson at a signing. While he signed a ball for me, I struck up a conversation with him where I told him that I had in my collection his game worn alternate black Pirates jersey from their 1979 championship season. He seemed taken back by this but at the same time I could see that this made him hppy/proud -- as a collector, I could basically looked to add any player's item to my collection, but I chose his.
Now, reality turns to fantasy, and I could imagine the conversation taking a twist and Bill turning around to ask me if he could have the jersey -- and similar to Howard's story, I offer him a swap for one of his Mets jerseys from their championship season...which would mean far more to me... doesn't sound so far fetched the more I play it in my head, and the more I read here...

[hblakewolf]

1. I sent a mid -70's Twins jersey gamer of Harmon Killebrew to a show to have him sign it "game used". I got an email after the signing saying that Harmon didn't want to sign it because he wanted it back. The agent gave Harmon my number and sent my jersey back unsigned. He said Harmon would call me within the next 2 weeks and wanted to work out a deal. I waited and waited, but he never called. I didn't care if we worked out a deal or not, it would have been cool to talk to the Killer.
2. Chris Smith who has many of his game used items in the Reds Museum had Cesar Geronimo sign his game used 1976 Bicentennial bat at a show. Bat has real nice use and Cesar told him that he remembered that bat. When Chris asked him how? Cesar replied by the big Red bat rack steak that ran down the barrel of the bat. Chris didn't tell me if Cesar wanted the bat back, but I thought it was cool that he remembered the bat from 20-30 years ago. I have that bat now.
3. Pete Rose came to my dad's sports museum opening in Medford, Oregon in 1985. We hung out with him a lot. It was during my Junior year of high school basketball and we had a game that night. My dad was telling Pete how I was the best player in the state and Pete said I'll be there tonight to watch ya. He never showed. He said the next day that it would have caused too much of a ruckus if he showed up. Anyway, it would have been cool to tell people that Pete Rose came to see me play a game in high school.
Greg

Greg-

I visited this museum back in 1987. It was a converted bank, correct? I also believe there is a very sad ending to this, correct?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[33bird]

Yea, that's the place Howard. That was my father's. He had about everything: Babe Ruth complete uniform, Players rings, team trophies, tons of gamers, 3 Honus Wagner T206 cards, etc. I think he charged a dollar a person to come view it all. It really was amazing. This was mid-80's before everyone starting going crazy collecting the stuff. He did a lot of business with Rose. He had Rose's Hickcock belt and many of his bats, rings, etc. In two of Rose's books-Hustle and the Rose/Giamatti book it talks of their business dealings for a couple of pages. It all ended ugly in 1987 when Dennis Walker was found dead in a Vegas hotel. Foul play was what the FBI determined. All his stuff disappeared. It's a long story. My father was doing some shady things with some shady people unfortunately. My mom and his 5 sons had to move to Nevada to live with my Mom's parents. He left us with nothing. For my graduation in 87 he had given me a Michael Jordan rookie home jersey. BUT, we had to sell it two years later to pay bills. Sold it for 2,000! If nothing else he left us with the sports collecting bug and all of his sons are doing really well: College professor, Lawyer, High School teacher and coach, and two big time insurance guys. That's the story in a nut shell.
Greg

[dcrules01]

Guys great stories I have none to add ecept when I went to get my Mitchell & Ness Dykstra signed a few weeks ago he complimented me on the jersey as in his words bitching .I told him how it was an honor to meet him because he was my favorite player growing up.We had about a 10 minute conversation.We shook and he gladly posed for a photo.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/metsjerseys/Mets%20Autographs/elsid001.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/metsjerseys/Mets%20Autographs/elsid005.jpg

[GrndSlm]

I once showed Tony Perez one of his Rookie H&B bats and he freaked out. He looked at it, swang it and signed it on the barrell. Then he looked at me and asked if he could buy it for his family. I automatically said yes and told him that I originally paid 750 for it and that I would let it go for the same price. Eventhough $ 750 is a good deal for a rookie 1965 H&B bat......He said no and left it alone. I guess only us collector buy items for there memories !!!!

Juan Iglesias
GrndSlm@aol.com

[beavisrules]

Last year, I got a message about one of the Notre Dame game worn jerseys I had listed on ebay. It was a former player, who asked how I got his jersey, and wanted to buy it back. I went to return the message only to discover another ebay ID had already bought the jersey for the buy-it-now. So now I am trying to figure out how to handle the situation, because I want to get the jersey back to the player, but now have another ebayer who has not only bought it, but also already paid via paypal. Fortunately, the ebay buyer turned out the be the player's dad who also saw the jersey and bought it for his son before anyone else could get it. So the jersey is back in his possession now. That's the only time I've had that happen, but pretty cool story with a happy ending.

[indyred]

I think some player's either have no clue or play dumb on game used stuff. With checks they are cashing, I'm always amazed when they try to get stuff for next to nothing.

rose14.....let us know how it goes with Vlad. It seems he knows the market on stuff. Seems he has friends or something that move stuff of his on ebay. IE his pink bat was already on the market from 2007. I'd want his game used jersey in return (really would ask for sweet new red alternate) and a nice used bat.

[EricDavis44fan]

Hello everyone, first time poster here.

I am a huge Eric Davis collector. During the past year I have been given the chance to meet him on several occassions. I have his Orioles batting helmet and had him sign it. When I handed it to him, he perked up and examined the helmet closely then asked where I got it. He told me it was the helmet he wore when he came back from cancer. He said he had actually tried to find it. He signed it then asked if I ever decided to sell to let him know. I don't know how he knew it was that very helmet, but he was very interested in it. He has signed my game worn jersey's and a game worn hat since then. He gave me tips on certain things to look for in determining if it was really his gear and spoke of the many fakes out there. The good news is, every piece I have showed him has passed his inspections! Interestingly enough, Eric himself is a collector of game worn NBA jersey's.

Dave

[suave1477]

Ericdavisfan can you email me admin@gameuseddirect.com

[012562]

I thought of a couple other stories along the lines of a player wanting his own item.

About ten years ago, UCLA conducted a sale with game used equipment items in February before one of their home basketball games. The football season obviously ends in January latest for college teams. One of the better senior football players who had completed his eligibility was in the sales tent with his parents. I happened to see his jersey in one of the sales piles for $50.00, and picked it up along with several others I wanted to purchase. Within a few minutes, I heard him saying something about looking for and not being able to find his own jerseys as he was standing near me. Of course, I turned to him told him I had it in my stack of items selected for purchase, and he could have it if he wanted. He was very excited about this turn of events. He had graciously signed other items for me earlier in his UCLA career, and I knew the jersey meant something to him because he was there looking for it.

Twenty years ago, another UCLA senior football player who had finished his eligibility sold me his Rose Bowl and Pac 10 championship ring, along with a game used jersey since the school gave him four of his jerseys. Like many college kids, he needed the money at the time. About 15 years later, I heard through a mutual acquaintance that he had established himself in the business world and wanted the ring. I never pursued this any more since this ring is a great item that I want to keep, and still have the ring in my collection.

Tom Duino

[Eric]

Hello everyone, first time poster here.

I am a huge Eric Davis collector. During the past year I have been given the chance to meet him on several occassions. I have his Orioles batting helmet and had him sign it. When I handed it to him, he perked up and examined the helmet closely then asked where I got it. He told me it was the helmet he wore when he came back from cancer. He said he had actually tried to find it. He signed it then asked if I ever decided to sell to let him know. I don't know how he knew it was that very helmet, but he was very interested in it. He has signed my game worn jersey's and a game worn hat since then. He gave me tips on certain things to look for in determining if it was really his gear and spoke of the many fakes out there. The good news is, every piece I have showed him has passed his inspections! Interestingly enough, Eric himself is a collector of game worn NBA jersey's.

Dave

Good stuff. Next time you see him, tell him to come by the forum.
Eric

[metsbats]

Last year I traded Ed Hearn's wife the jersey that he wore on the field for the 86 Mets reunion ceremony which I had won in the MLB auction for the unworn jersey the Mets sent him home with.

A couple of years ago when I showed Gary Carter and his agent Mead Chasky a photo of the 4 milestone bats I own, Mead game me his card because he wanted to see if I'd like sell them back to him. I offered to trade a game used jersey for one of the bats but he declined.

David

[Eric]

David-

I found an article about your collection including the 4 Carter bats you mentioned above. Good stuff!

http://www.psacard.com/smrweb/backissues/smr0504/collector.chtml

Eric

[metsbats]

Thanks Eric!

Glad you enjoyed the article.

-David

[dcrules01]

Awesome article....

[B1SON]

I used to be a HUGE Duke collector and one day on Ebay I found a Brian Davis (Laettner's best friend) game-used shoe from when he was with the T-Wolves. It was signed "Brian Davis T-Wolves". Laettner had gotten him a tryout a couple years after graduation. Anyway, in big bold letters on the heal of the shoe was written "HURLEY" which I thought long and hard about and did some research and figured out it was at the time he had had his accident and it was a tribute to him by Brian. Well for my honey moon :D my wife and I went to a celebrity basketball game at Duke and Brian played. People were having him autograph programs and such. When I handed himn the shoe, he was "shocked" to say the least and when I showed him the heal it "brought back memories" I could tell. He verified the story I had made up in my head about how "HURLEY" got on there and personalized it to me. I look back now and figure he probably would like to have had it, but he knew what it meant to me. Anyway, he never asked for it, but I know he appreciated seeing it again for sure.

[sportscentury]

I used to be a HUGE Duke collector and one day on Ebay I found a Brian Davis (Laettner's best friend) game-used shoe from when he was with the T-Wolves. It was signed "Brian Davis T-Wolves". Laettner had gotten him a tryout a couple years after graduation. Anyway, in big bold letters on the heal of the shoe was written "HURLEY" which I thought long and hard about and did some research and figured out it was at the time he had had his accident and it was a tribute to him by Brian. Well for my honey moon :D my wife and I went to a celebrity basketball game at Duke and Brian played. People were having him autograph programs and such. When I handed himn the shoe, he was "shocked" to say the least and when I showed him the heal it "brought back memories" I could tell. He verified the story I had made up in my head about how "HURLEY" got on there and personalized it to me. I look back now and figure he probably would like to have had it, but he knew what it meant to me. Anyway, he never asked for it, but I know he appreciated seeing it again for sure.

B1SON,

That's a great story. If you wouldn't mind, please email me at rgf2@hotmail.com - I'd love to hear about your Duke Blue Devils collection!

Best,
Reid

[Jags Fan Dan]

I just saw in the news forum the article about Al Leiter wanting to buy the pitching rubber that the guy brought in to a card show for him to sign that has guys with no-hitters signatures on it. Very cool piece. The offer of $2,500 is a joke, in my opinion.

[skipcareyisfat]

I just saw in the news forum the article about Al Leiter wanting to buy the pitching rubber that the guy brought in to a card show for him to sign that has guys with no-hitters signatures on it. Very cool piece. The offer of $2,500 is a joke, in my opinion.

I bet it's the last time that collector brings his daughter to a show with him. ;)