Earlier this year, a seller on eBay offered a game-worn flannel of a popular 60s-era reliever. The player had recently signed the jersey at a card show, and reportedly became quite emotional upon being briefly reunited with his old togs.
Had I been the seller, I might have offered the jersey to him right then and there: "Awww, here ya go, ya big lug. With my complements."
Thus, a question for the panel: Have you ever sold or given a player his old equipment? Naming names isn't required, but I'd like to read some stories.
At one time I owned a home knit of Rick Henninger who pitched in a handful of games for the Texas Rangers in the early 1970's. I had little or nothing invested in this jersey & I wrote him asking him if he wanted it. He called me one evening shortly thereafter (he was very appreciative) and eventually I sent it to him free of charge. I told him that it may not mean that much to him, but that his children and grandchhildren may appreciate it having it back in the family. The good feeling I rec'd in giving it to him outweighed and monies I would received for it selling it elsewhere.
Always looking for unique items related to the careers of Cal Ripken Jr., Sr. & Billy.
A few years ago I acquired a bat used by the immortal Rob Belloir, the former Braves second baseman from late 70s. I got it for $10 and eventually had him sign it. He's a pastor now and we spoke a couple of times on the phone. Super nice guy. I ending up offering it to him and he said his kids would enjoy having it. So I sent it to him.
-jason
I had a few old Angels jersey's of Jeff Juden and Mark Johnson, that didn't mean to much to me at the time. So I wrote each player a letter asking them if they had an interest in their jerseys and if they did would they minding trading with me. I've always wanted a game used glove, so in my letter I asked if they would trade me an old glove for their jersey. I wrote Mark Johnson when he was with the Mets. He sent me a letter back saying he had been looking for his Angels jersey. So the next day I sent him the jersey care of the Mets. I would say two days later he was sent down to Norfolk. I'm thinking great he won't get it, so I wrote him in Norfolk. I included my e-mail address and he e-mail me and said he got it. He send me his gamer a few weeks after the season. as for Jeff Juden, his wife wrote me back and said they would love to have his jersey back and that they wanted it for their kids. So with that in mind the next day I sent the jersey to him. I spoke with him on the phone a few times, and he said thanks for the jersey and that he would send me a glove. Two years+ later no glove. So there are two different stories and two different endings...I'm still happy I sent both jerseys, I made out great with Johnson but no so great on Juden. Still the jerseys are where they belong, with the players.
I've read some things about him and he sounds like a real jerk.
Supposedly in 1996, when the Giants released him, as he left the locker room area, the Giants team bus with the players was leaving. He supposedly flipped off the bus as he was walking away.
The guy's definitely confrontational and loves to throw at people. After a game where he hit someone, he then said to reporters after the game, "Had he charged the mound, I would have shown him what kind of man he is."
In short, he's a real class act... A credit to the game.
