Why did this BJ Upton GU Fielding Glove go so Cheap?

[LWMM]

Re: Why did this BJ Upton GU Fielding Glove go so Cheap?

LWMM, does your glove of Gomes have the area code 707 on it? I read that Gomes puts his area code on his cleats and gloves.

You know, I was looking at my 2005 cleats (from LRM) the other day for just that. Neither the cleats nor the glove have a 707. That also can't mean much, however, as the cleats are rock solid in terms of provenance. I imagine that some of his cleats, and some of his gloves, have the 707, but not all.

[joelsabi]

Re: Why did this BJ Upton GU Fielding Glove go so Cheap?

I wouldn't call that a smoking gun. I have a 2005 Mizuno glove of Gomes, which was either his backup or used late season. His other 2005 glove went through Locker Room Memorabilia, and, while I'm not sure of the provenance of mine, it is stylematched and perfectly fits in with Mizuno's records. It's entirely possible that the Upton glove in question was given to a friend, relative etc., who eventually turned around and sold it.

Mizuno provided you with record? How easy was that?

What I am trying to say is that you need to take caution when purchasing a fielders glove. Right now there are no less than three dealers who periodically sell Rawlings PRO-RV23 for $400-$500 unsigned. You could style match it easily. You could easily put use on it and attempt to sell as game used using your own COA. Most glove and Alex Rodriguez collectors won't buy into that because they know who handles his game used equipment.

Could you buy a Albert Pujols or Vlade Guerrero's fielders glove, whether issued or game used, that was likely given to a relative or friend? Yes. Will it have the same resale value as a glove from Albert's Foundation? No. That's all I was saying. There is the main equipment handler for a player and then there is everyone else. For scarcer items like fielder's gloves and batting helmets, I would look to the most likely person to sell the item.