is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

[brianborsch]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

I disagree in regard to bats. In most cases, the players will select certain makes and models of bats and have bats made with certain traits relative to that player. So to me game issued bats do have a tie to the player. More so than a game issued jersey, since in a lot of cases the player is ordering the bat directly.

Of course game used is more of a tie to the player. My reasons for going game issued over game used:

1) No guessing games as to what it is or if it was used by the player
2) Its cheaper
3) Its cleaner looking

Hell, I think they are more rare than game used. Sometimes you canh't even find a game issued bat when there are 100's of game used ones out there.

[yankees24]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

I'm not starting another thread on this but if you had the choice of purchasing a future hall of fame player's game issued jersey or an above average bordeline superstar game used jersey, which would you prefer?

[legaleagle92481]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

I'm not starting another thread on this but if you had the choice of purchasing a future hall of fame player's game issued jersey or an above average bordeline superstar game used jersey, which would you prefer?

Neither I would save until I could get the gu one of the hofer because I do not like to collect guys below that standard as a personal prefereance, unless I really like the above average player then I would pick up his GU item. When a item is gu the player used it to accumulate stats which for hof caliber players is historic. To have a bat that Jim Thome or Arod used to hit a home run or that Jeter used to get a basehit or a jersey that Peyton threw a touchdown in. And stats aside the fact that the player wore it in competition even if he went o for 4 that day or did not throw a td. And to be able to see in photos the player using or wearing YOUR item is a cool thing.

[allstarsplus]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

I disagree in regard to bats. In most cases, the players will select certain makes and models of bats and have bats made with certain traits relative to that player. So to me game issued bats do have a tie to the player. More so than a game issued jersey, since in a lot of cases the player is ordering the bat directly.

Of course game used is more of a tie to the player. My reasons for going game issued over game used:

1) No guessing games as to what it is or if it was used by the player
2) Its cheaper
3) Its cleaner looking

Hell, I think they are more rare than game used. Sometimes you canh't even find a game issued bat when there are 100's of game used ones out there.

Brian - You definitely have a great collection of game issued bats. Like you said, they are tough to get if you are collecting the same brand/style that a player predominantly uses.

[yankeesjetsfan]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

I don't mind owing game issued stuff. The only bat I have is a Game Issued Jorge Posada and it was a gift. It means a lot to me that I own something that Posada ordered and probably handled as the handle is taped up.

I collect Mark Teixiera, Tino Martinez, Martin Brodeur, Yankees and Devils. I'm not rich and most of the game used stuff I want, I can't afford. I'm perfectly happy with owning a game issued item. If I could get a bat at an affordable price, I'd jump on it. But I'd settle for a Game issued bat.

[mariner_gamers]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

There is one instance game issued items really stand out to me and that is for a signing. I have been able to pick up reasonably priced game issued bats and then gotten them signed. Yes, game used is my preference, however, game issued for a signing outshines the standard 16x20, generic bat, jersey etc that most folks get graphed.

[Copa]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

Looking at these responses, I think my opinion is in the majority...as much as I would love to own game worn/used stuff over issued, I just don't have the money to spend on them!

One of the most prized pieces of my collection is a game-issued Mike Modano jersey, prepared for the home game he would have scored his 503rd goal, making him the highest-scoring American-born player in NHL history...since he scored the goal in Nashville, the home jersey wasn't used, but the equipment manager had written 503 on the fight strap, indicating when the jersey was to be used...Modano has long been my favorite player and this is the closest I'll ever come to owning such a significant piece of American hockey history.

[camarokids]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

I disagree in regard to bats. In most cases, the players will select certain makes and models of bats and have bats made with certain traits relative to that player. So to me game issued bats do have a tie to the player. More so than a game issued jersey, since in a lot of cases the player is ordering the bat directly.

Of course game used is more of a tie to the player. My reasons for going game issued over game used:

1) No guessing games as to what it is or if it was used by the player
2) Its cheaper
3) Its cleaner looking

Hell, I think they are more rare than game used. Sometimes you canh't even find a game issued bat when there are 100's of game used ones out there.

A bat is a bat is a bat. I have never seen a fake game used bat!

Do your homework and you will be fine.

There have been issues with bats being doctored.

I did read about a Cal Ripken Jr bat that had the 125 underline filled in, but that is a doctored bat.

For the majority of players, minus superstars. Buying a doctored bat is a non-issue.

With most of the big name players whoring their equipment, authenticity can be a breeze with buying their stuff.

To each collector their own. But a game used bat is where it is at!

An issued bat may have never even touched the said players hands.

I think you would have to speculate much more where the bat came form it is not used. If it used, you can check the ends for writing and compare to other know examples. You can check use characteristics with pics found on gettyimages.com etc......

If I were collecting coins I would want an unused coin as issued, but of course we are talking baseball bats.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

A bat is a bat is a bat. I have never seen a fake game used bat!

Do your homework and you will be fine.

There have been issues with bats being doctored.

I did read about a Cal Ripken Jr bat that had the 125 underline filled in, but that is a doctored bat.

For the majority of players, minus superstars. Buying a doctored bat is a non-issue.

With most of the big name players whoring their equipment, authenticity can be a breeze with buying their stuff.

To each collector their own. But a game used bat is where it is at!

An issued bat may have never even touched the said players hands.

I think you would have to speculate much more where the bat came form it is not used. If it used, you can check the ends for writing and compare to other know examples. You can check use characteristics with pics found on gettyimages.com etc......

If I were collecting coins I would want an unused coin as issued, but of course we are talking baseball bats.

nice post. and the prices really are not all that much different. for even most of the best current players a gu bat goes for only a few hundred, a gi one does not go for all that much less. obviously with jerseys the difference can be 1,000s but the bat market overall is very reasonable.

[mbenga28]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

game issued is fine, but who in their logic sense would pay this amount for an issued?

http://www.steinersports.com/derek-jeter-2-2009-yankees-game-issued-road-gray-jersey-w/-inaugural-season-patch

[brianborsch]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

Camaro,

While it is true that with a game issued bat it may have never reached a player's hands, the fact that it was made to the specs and intended for that player is enough connection for me to make the bat important and collectible. Even with a game used bat, it may have never reached the said player's hands either.

But to each his own. I like the clean look of a game issued bat and the fact that they could be cheaper, and less desirable. It means there will be more for me!

[brianborsch]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

Except that Jeter jersey is ridiculous!

[BULBUS]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

game issued is fine, but who in their logic sense would pay this amount for an issued?

http://www.steinersports.com/derek-j...l-season-patch

mbenga, the jeter jersey pictured has a world series patch on it. maybe the jersey was used during the regular season and then the patch was added and they called it "issued"? 2k would be a steal

[mbenga28]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

mbenga, the jeter jersey pictured has a world series patch on it. maybe the jersey was used during the regular season and then the patch was added and they called it "issued"? 2k would be a steal

after what happened with your Mitre jersey, perhaps!

[tigerdale]

Re: is there any shame owning a game issued instead of game used?

I don't think there is any shame at all in collecting issued. I like both the used & issued myself. Hopefully we all collect because we love this hobby & enjoy the items we have. If it makes you/us happy, than thats what its all about. I have some used items that I feel are just awesome...but also have issued which I feel the same about. For instance, some of my world series bats...to me , they're rare in itself, many are probably never used in game play. When you find one of these, issued or used, from your favorite player or team.....wow!!