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

[Shipp_96]

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

I tend to only buy used, but I agree if I can get a player I love and the only one available from that team is issued, I'm buying it.

I did that with a Bobby Engram Chiefs jersey (bought directly from the team). He only played a handful of games with KC, so it is probably as close as I was going to get. It also has the AFL patch on it, so that was a bonus for me. The sleeves are cuffed the same as they are on his Seahawks game worn jerseys, and it has a custom cut as well (just not as short as his gamers).

I see no shame in that.

[island_style]

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

I collect items of Onan Masaoka (Dodgers pitcher, 1999-2001) and have some of his game used jerseys. He was traded mid-season to the White Sox organization and added to their 40-man roster, but never made the parent club. I was able to obtain a White Sox game issued road jersey. Although it's not game used the jersey is an important piece in my Masaoka collection.

Kind Regards,

Ron.

Rsamiano@aol.com

[solarlottry]

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

No. Why would there be any shame? I have an entire 1990 Joe Montana team issued uniform framed at home. Red Wilson jersey, tan Wilson pants, striped game socks (last year they wore them) and Easton sweat bands. Joe never wore them, but one look and you can tell it's from the team. It has no letter, but since I aquired it in person, I know it's real. It means as much to me as anything in my collection.

coffeebeanjoe- Hi! Ed Cooper (Coop) from SF gave me your email a while back and said that it was OK to email you about questions I had regarding the style and font of 80s 49ers gamers. I tried but it bounced back. Could you please email me at garciajones@yahoo.com. Thanks much.

Coop and I are good friends and he has a GREAT collection of vintage 49ers gamers. He was very complimentary of yours as well. It would be great to be able to get in touch with you to exchange info about what both of our collections are like.

Thanks much
Paul
garciajones@yahoo.com

[coffeebeanjoe]

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

No. Why would there be any shame? I have an entire 1990 Joe Montana team issued uniform framed at home. Red Wilson jersey, tan Wilson pants, striped game socks (last year they wore them) and Easton sweat bands. Joe never wore them, but one look and you can tell it's from the team. It has no letter, but since I aquired it in person, I know it's real. It means as much to me as anything in my collection.

[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.

not anymore, me thinks someone from Steiner peruses the forums.

[LastingsMilledge85]

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

There definitely no "shame" in it because this should be a "fun" hobby. I just think issued jerseys are a waste of money if it's more than an authentic because they really are the same thing. Maybe if alterations are made for that specific player, than there is some leeway with me thinking is worth what is spent. But, it's your dime so who cares how you spend it. Have fun with it, issued or used.

[panthrotc]

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

great thread. we all would like to own a game used instead of game issued. But sometimes we cant.

For example, here is a 1998 game ISSUED McGwire Jersey. It signed and inscribed "70HRS98". When did you ever see a Game used mac jersey from 98 that is auto'd have that inscription?? prolly never. But yea i wish it was used, but it is still a rare peice nontheless, and it prolly did hang in his locker but he never wore. We cant buy everything, but sometimes the 2nd place item is better then nothing

[camarokids]

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!

Brian,

I am not knocking u for collecting unused bats. If u are happy that is all that matters.

I listed a few ways for you to be more comfortable buying used bats. There are always uncracked bats that usually have less use and still have a nice look that u like. There are a few members here who only collect uncracked bats.

If the writing on the knob is that players uni # you can be pretty confident that they used it. For example, on the Devil Rays, two of the stars were McGriff & Boggs.

Both wrote their uni # in a certain writing. Based on that and use characteristics, you can be pretty certain they used the bat.

Now back to unused. I have a few bats in my collection that were numbered on the ends but not used. I have a Greg Vaughn that is numbered and the knob is taped. Has rack marks. But I cannot find any ball marks. Still I nice bat. Like Dale says about WS bats, you usually only find them in unused condition. Reason the player will keep the used one and give away the other. Players usually get two bats. More recently they receive more bats than that.

I just think you should venture into game used of the players you like. You will be surprised how easy it is to do. Plus you have a great tool to use for help, right here at GUU!

[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!!

[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!

[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

[brianborsch]

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

Except that Jeter jersey is ridiculous!

[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!

[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

[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.