Current game used jerseys with mlb authentication question
 

Does MLB wash the jerseys before they sell? Anyone know? I noticed that jerseys dated do not photo match and look very clean. Or are there multiple "game worn" jerseys per game or both?

I guess my direct auestion is: Does anyone know if mlb washes the game used jerseys before they sell?
For instance.. if soaked in gatorade.

Can't speak for every team but I have seen many Mets jerseys dirty or mud caked. I'm not even sure the MLB hologram would stay attached through a wash cycle and I'm pretty sure its applied when the player takes the jersey off.

Don't know about MLB but for the most part the NFL does.....

Jays don't wash there's.

I've seen game-worn jerseys with dirt on them in the Amazin' Memorabilia store at Citi Field.

Best photo I can provide, however, is this one from the 2013 MLB All-Star Fanfest in New York. Among the items available for purchase in the Authenticated Game-Used Memorabilia section of the MLB Clubhouse Store was a David Wright jersey with plenty of dirt on it. Didn't note the price or the MLB Authentication hologram number so I can't provide any further details...

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3749/9...1df06907_b.jpg

I'm told by the guy in charge of the authentication program that they have to see the jersey, cap, etc. come off the player to call it "game used" as opposed to "team issued." (If they don't see it come off, then it's team issued even if might have been worn during a game. Consequently, you can sometimes find team issued items with signs of dirt and wear.) IF they are truly holding to this standard, then the sticker has to go on as part of a tight chain of custody, so it would tend to go on fairly quickly. I agree that the sticker would not hold up to washing. Personally, I will also add that the MLB authenticated gamers that I have or have passed through my hands have all had some kind of wear or dirt. I hope this helps.

From the Phillies

Yes and no. Primarily any of the special jerseys worn throughout the year are not washed before we get them. Any of the regular jerseys we get following the season will have been washed after they were last worn.




John Hollinger

Philadelphia Phillies

Citizens Bank Park

One Citizens Bank Way

Philadelphia, PA 19148

(p) 215-218-5215

(f) 215-463-8765

Major League Baseball officially defines "team issued" as follows:

"Team Issued is a designation by an independent third-party authenticator who attests that the item was issued by the Club to its clubhouse. This designation is not intended to determine use of the item in any capacity."

(Source: https://www.mlb.com/authentication)