MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

[legaleagle92481]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

Without really strict standards the authentication would not mean anything either. Some times their process and due diligence requires that they cannot call something game used even though all evidence points to such. The alternative, as you seem to be proposing, is loosening "GAME USED" standard and applying subjective rationale to items. Frankly, I've seen some items that are completely trashed that never saw a game (such as BP only bats).

While it sucks that sometimes things are not fully authenticated on MLB database, I prefer that their standards remain high and tight. I like that more than somebody applying their own bias and subjectivity to the process. A sterile, unbiased, objective basis is the ideal standard.

I agree. But if I were MLB I would cut out the holograms that they label issued totally it is better to put nothing on there because alot of novice collectors think MLB hologram= mlb authenticated.

[jbsportstuff]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

JBSPORTSTUFF - You came into my store today! Sorry I wasn't around when you were there. My email is rdeversole@gmail.com

Not a problem at all. E-mail sent!!

[rdeversole]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

JBSPORTSTUFF - You came into my store today! Sorry I wasn't around when you were there. My email is rdeversole@gmail.com

[stlbats]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

As far as I know, all of the Cardinals jerseys are just MLB authenticated as game or team issued as well. Some of the bats are stickered as issued, but a lot of them are directly linked to a game or even a certain inning/at bat.

Jason

[wllump52]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

have been happy with the SF Giants bat holograms -- all the ones i have purchased that had the holo show up with the game it was used in our as a bp bat. They do not always use the holos though as some bats i have from earlier this year do not have them.

[1970REDS]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

Would people not rather have a Jersey with good use that shows up in datbase as game issued rather rather than a Jersey that looks brand new that shows up as game used . I was at Redsfest and they was brand new looking jerseys there with holograms . It seems with the system that we have in place that when buying from the teams go back to the old days and pick out a Jersey with good use .

[frikativ54]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

As long as “team issued” is understood to be an umbrella term, there should be no problem. You get to look at an item, determine whether there is wear, use, player characteristics etc., and make an educated guess as to whether the item was used. MLB authenticators could do that, yet it is not their job to do so and I doubt that many of them would have the requisite knowledge. In not doing so, then, the term “game used” is exponentially bolstered, such that one can have nearly 100% assurance that an item marked as such is, indeed, game used.

The problem becomes when you buy a team issued item with an MLB hologram on eBay, and it has pictures that show use. Was it actually used by the player or was the use contrived? We may never know.

[LWMM]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

As long as “team issued” is understood to be an umbrella term, there should be no problem. You get to look at an item, determine whether there is wear, use, player characteristics etc., and make an educated guess as to whether the item was used. MLB authenticators could do that, yet it is not their job to do so and I doubt that many of them would have the requisite knowledge. In not doing so, then, the term “game used” is exponentially bolstered, such that one can have nearly 100% assurance that an item marked as such is, indeed, game used.

To respond directly to the point about the strict “team issued” label lowering the value of such items, I would make two claims. First, this only matters if someone looks up a hologram, sees “team issued” and takes that to mean that the item was absolutely not used in a game. Everyone reading this thread knows this not to be true, and anyone here who wants to sell an item can simply inform prospective buyers about the umbrella nature of the term, linking them to the many threads here which have discussed such a topic.
Second and more importantly, I believe that the strict nature of the labels makes items noted as “game used” more valuable. A subjective interpretation would inevitably lead to mistakes which would have people questioning the system; that it is so strict means that there are far fewer mistakes, and one can be confident buying an item said to be “game used”.

[jbsportstuff]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

Is that the consesus on this board that a jersey that never sees game use is game used? Game used by self definition means it was actually used in a game.

This jersey was NOT USED in the NLDS game as claimed by MLB certification. It never saw one moment of actual use in a game. Sitting on a bench is not game used. A replica jersey worn by a person in the stands saw as much "game use" as Edison's jersey saw.

What do others think about this?

[CampWest]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

If MLB ONLY authenticates stuff that is taken directly off the field, then the Reds screwed this one up BIG TIME. However, I cannot buy that MLB only authenticates stuff that is directly taken off the field. Why you ask??? Because there is an Edison Volquez currently on EBAY that is MLB certified GAME USED NLCS that is a HOME jersey. Sorry...but Edison only pitched in game ONE where the game was AT Philly. So this jersey could have not been game used in the NLCS.

It could have been game used and it was game used.

You are clearly mistaken. You are stating that something cannot be used by an individual who did not play. Items can be used by a player, in the course of a game, even if that player doesn't play.

Game used, means he used it in the game... whether he played or not or recorded any stat is really meaningless to this discussion. Players who suit up, but don't play still used/wore the jersey in the game. So the jersey was "Used" in the "Game". Coaches have "game used" items. There have been "game used" bug spray bottles. Its the same as saying "Game Worn". So in your example, I think the classification by MLB was correct and proper.

http://www.mlb.com/mlb/authentication/index.jsp

Authentication
Major League Baseball uses a third party authenticator at each and every game, who witnesses all items that received a signature or that were removed from the field. Every item, once witnessed, will receive a sequentially numbered, tamper-proof hologram created by OpSec, U.S. to easily identify its Major League Baseball authenticity.

[schubert1970]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

If a jersey that was tagged as "Team Issued" has the "proper look" of a game used jersey, so what? The purpose was that the authenticator did not see it come off the field. That's what separates MLB from all the other joe blow authenticators out there.

At least MLB holds an integrity to actually having to WITNESS a piece being used in the game before they call it game-used. To me, something that is "Team Issued" is no problem with me. It means that it actually came from the team itself and not someone who ran the item into the dirt and then washed it to make it appear like it had use on it (like we all know some here on this forum has done with all sorts of items).

I couldn't agree more.

[April 10, 1962]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

If a jersey that was tagged as "Team Issued" has the "proper look" of a game used jersey, so what? The purpose was that the authenticator did not see it come off the field. That's what separates MLB from all the other joe blow authenticators out there.

At least MLB holds an integrity to actually having to WITNESS a piece being used in the game before they call it game-used. To me, something that is "Team Issued" is no problem with me. It means that it actually came from the team itself and not someone who ran the item into the dirt and then washed it to make it appear like it had use on it (like we all know some here on this forum has done with all sorts of items).

I also think MLB is not really concerned about the resale value some people here complain about. MLB is really trying to just say, "Yes, this came from (enter team name)" or "Yes, so-and-so used this on said game". I for one do not sell anything I buy. I collect because it is a cool item and it has meaning to me. Having an MLB logo over "PSA/DNA", blah, blah, blah is worlds better in my opinion. In the end, I agree, take the MLB hologram off if you do not like it. At least MLB did it's part to help certify the item.

I've talked to a couple of MLB authenticators when I've visited different ballparks and they seem to hold the same standards for anything they put a hologram on.

[schubert1970]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

Very annoying that they do not take care of this better. I have a game used base form 2004 that I have auction recepts for and hologram and MLB refuses to put it in their database.


Also, I had a couple game used batting helmets that took 3 months to show up in the database, but if they would have never shown up.... there would have been nothing I could have done.

I also have another batting helmet listed as "game issued" that is pounded with use and I was able to get photomatches of as well and they will not change it, so if I ever try to sell it I will have to deal with that to the buyer... and hope I am not accused for faking the use

Remove the MLB sticker, if you have a photo match who cares about the MLB sticker.

[jake33]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

Very annoying that they do not take care of this better. I have a game used base form 2004 that I have auction recepts for and hologram and MLB refuses to put it in their database.


Also, I had a couple game used batting helmets that took 3 months to show up in the database, but if they would have never shown up.... there would have been nothing I could have done.

I also have another batting helmet listed as "game issued" that is pounded with use and I was able to get photomatches of as well and they will not change it, so if I ever try to sell it I will have to deal with that to the buyer... and hope I am not accused for faking the use

[happyyoungster]

Re: MLB Authentication, WHY BOTHER?

Some great points made by Wes.

Here's my take:
While an item being authenticated as "Game Issued" could possibly hurt the resale of a particular item, most dedicated collectors use their own common sense when it comes time to purchasing an item from their favorite player(s).
When I find Ryan Braun GU items that are marked "game issued," I do a little homework. Usage, player characteristics, sizes, etc. If I'm satisfied with my research, the "game issued" item becomes just as valuable to me as something authenticated as "game used."

Basically, it just comes down to being a product of the system in place.

ON A SIDE NOTE: This may or may not be common knowledge, but, you will start to see teams using the invisible marking pen to further authenticate game used jerseys as "game used" and not merely as "game issued."