I don't know what made me think of this, but a number of years ago I used to work at a pub in New York City. The kitchen was kind of small and had a door that opened up to a side street. I don't know if they had problems with people trying to break in or steal food, but the cooks kept an old baseball bat near the door. One night when it was slow I picked it up and noticed that it was an uncracked Randy Velarde Yankees gamer. I asked everyone where it came from but no one knew. It had a few layers of grease on it and was pretty disgusting. And, no, I didn't steal it or try and swap it out for a nice, new store model.
One more similar story: When I was a kid I saw an episode of the A-Team where Murdoch (the crazy guy) was wearing an old solid blue Atlanta Braves batting helmet. I don't know if it was g/u, but the "A" had been removed from the front (still clearly visible) and it had one flap. Maybe it was a prop from "The Slugger's Wife," aka, the worst movie ever made.
Has anyone else noticed game used stuff in strange places?
Back in 1985, one night I was walking in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn when I passed a small store on a corner that sold kids clothes and other children's items. I glanced inside and saw what I thought was a Phillies uniform. The next day, when the store was open, I went inside and sure enough,it was an entire Richie Ashburn flannel home pinstripe uniform with the hat,pants and stirrups. It was a Wilson?? jersey with his name embroidered in the bottom front. I asked the lady if it was for sale but she said no, it was just for display and that it had been in her family for years. Eventually the store closed and I always wondered whatever happened to that jersey.
On a trip to my hometown (Peoria, IL) I went to a family owned sporting good store near my old high school (Limestone). After shopping I was heading out the door and noticed a bat hanging over the door. Upon closer inspection I noticed it was a game used Jim Thome bat. The owner said Jim gave it to him during one of his visits home during the off season. It was from his rookie year. Wonder if they still have it? Hope they at least put it in a safe place!
