I've posted here talking about the inventory I got with my purchase of Sports Warehouse and how it ran toward common players and colleges. Every so often, though, I run into something that appears to be a gem.

However, given the tone of my talks with folks about the past ownership of the company, I am a little hesitant to jump up and down in excitement when a rarity shows up.

This brings me to the meat of my post. I have found a 1997 Cleveland Indians Marquis Grissom road gray. As you may recall, the Indians went all the way to game seven of the World Series before losing to the Marlins that year. You may also recall that Grissom was the MVP in the six-game ALCS against the Orioles. I checked GettyImages.com, and the Tribe wore their road grays for three games in the ALCS and the first two games in the Series. There was no special Series patches worn that year, and the Getty site clearly shows the 1997 All Star Game patch still on the road grays in both the ALCS and World Series. The Grissom I have matches the photos. There doesn't appear to be any number or nameplate change. It has one of those "Purchased from Clevelnad Indians" stamps in the tail.

I have not seen set numbers on any of the 1997 Cleveland jerseys I have, including the Grissom. Some of the older jerseys from the semi-famous Sports Warehouse deal with Cleveland around 1994 do have set tags.

I guess I am a little gun shy about putting up for auction a jersey that should draw a pretty decent price. I've heard too many disturbing stories about the past, and I am certainly looking to distance myself from those stories. So much so, that once I got a tip on what this jersey might be, I pulled it off eBay before it was bid on so I could ask this forum about it.

So, are there any Indians collectors out there who can give me some tips on what to look for in an authentic jersey vs. something that might have a more dubious history? Even if it is the real deal, is there any way to tell if it was worn in April or in October?

Many thanks,
Zeb