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12-05-2004, 05:27 PM
Posted By: <b>Robert Plancich</b><p>The Memorabilia Road Show is advertising itself as a different breed or auction house stating that their items come directly from the players or the player's family and as such, said items have "impeccable provenance" and therefore authentic. <br /><br />Their recently concluded auction offered and sold a purported Ferguson Jenkins 1971 game-used glove (Lot #185)that was used by him during the 1971 season, a season in which he won the National League Cy Young award. I emailed Memorabilia Road Show president, Russell Friedman, and informed him that the glove that they were selling was actually made in 1988. I told him that this was not an opinion, that this was a fact. Mr. Friedman emailed me back stating that the glove came directly from Mr. Jenkins and that this glove was accompanied by a "notarized affidavit" from Mr. Jenkins stating that the glove was the one that he used during the 1971 season that he and his company were "satisfied" with the "provenance" and the "authenticity" of the glove. I emailed him back and told him that the glove in question had a manufacturer's code stamped on it (REO01) and that this code verifies that the glove was made in 1988, well after Jenkins retired from MLB. The glove that they say was used in 1971 wouldn't even be made until 17 years later. While I am still awaiting Mr. Friedman's response to my second email I must admit that I don't have much hope in receiving such a response.<br /><br />This is yet another example of money over reality. Just becomes it comes from a player doesn't mean that it's real. Michael O'Keeffe a sports writer for the new York Daily News recently did a story about Alex Rodriguez and Authentic Sports Inc. (ASI) the Florida company that has an exclusive contract with Rodriguez to sell his memorabilia. I can't remember the exact model of glove that ASI sold but it was advertised as a game used glove and sold for about $7,000.00. The glove came with an ASI LOA and a letter from Rodriguez attesting to it's authenticity. Additionally, the glove was autographed by Rodriguez in silver Sharpie. When O'Keeffe attempted to interview Rodriguez about this particular glove he told me that "Rodriguez literally ran away from me" and refused to answer any questions about the glove. as it turns out the model glove that they sold as a Rodriguez gamer was a pitcher's model glove. Can anyone tell me the last time that they saw Alex Rodriguez pitch in a game?<br /><br />