Do Players Change Helmets For the start of the Playoffs?

[skipcarayislegend]

Re: Do Players Change Helmets For the start of the Playoffs?

It depends on the player and the team. Your best bet, imo, is to concentrate on McGwire only and his at bats in '92. Some teams do issue new helmets and have for awhile, like the Braves for example going back to at least '91. It's ultimately the player's choice whether or not he wants to wear the new one. I have a couple '91 Braves helmets but neither was used in the post season.

I also happen to own an A's helmet that was used in three different World Series (1988-1990). The player obviously could've broken in a new one but didn't because he liked the feel of the old helmet. From the looks of yours, I'd guess that McGwire wore it in the regular season. Great helmet, btw!

[panthrotc]

Re: Do Players Change Helmets For the start of the Playoffs?

bump

[panthrotc]

I just won the McGwire helmet in Grey Flannel Auction. It says in the title
"1992 Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics Game-Used ALCS Batting Helmet (A’s LOA)"

I havnt gotten the item yet as it is in the process being shipped out. I have not read the A's COA yet. But I was wondering was it common practice for players in the early 90's to change Batting Helmets for the start of the playoffs? The use on the helmet looks pretty heavy. The a's last regular season game in 92 was Oct 4, and the LCS started Oct. 7. Granted McGwire had his best year since 87 that hitting 42 Homeruns, maybe out of superstition he would not change helmets? thats what im hoping, but I wanted to know if anyone here had heard of players changing helmets for the playoffs. Given the era and the kind of guy mcgwire was with his equipment, i can not see him changing helmets because of the playoffs. If anyone has any info or input please chime in. I basically have a bunch of long hours to kill as i await it's arrival. I have to read the Coa and see what it says obviously. In the 92 LCS McGwire played in 6 games, had 20 at bats and hit 1 HR. From the pictures it looks like this helmet saw more then 20 at bats, making my assumption soley based on the pictures that this was not just used for the ALCS. I have 2 pictures that i think are possible photomatches that i will compare once i get it in my hands.

Here are the pics from the auction page