1956 Brooks Robinson San Antonio Missions Game-Worn Cap

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Posted By: James Feagin

Hello everyone,

I would like to show off my 1956 Brooks Robinson San Antonio Missions game-worn cap. Last year, Mr. Robinson was cleaning out his garage and came across this old cap from when he played for the AA San Antonio Missions of the Texas League. Through arrangement with a local card shop, some of these items he found in his garage were put up for auction. I was surprised when only 30 people showed up, and I got this for what I consider "a steal". The cap shows incredible game usage, soiling and sweat staining. This cap came with a signed statement from Brooks indicating this was the only cap he wore for that club. Photos below and then some questions....





1.) Brooks is doing a signing nearby next month. I am considering having Brooks signing the underbill. I would have him sign "Brooks Robinson #17, 1956 San Antonio Missions, My Texas League Gamer". Do you think him signing that would decrease or increase the value? Note...I'm just having him sign the underbill.

2.) I have no plans on selling this piece at all. However, if I were to have a financial crisis and needed to sell...what price range would you give this?

Thanks,

James

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Posted By: Bob Lemke

James, what a great find. If I had it, I'd go for the auto, but not the inscription you propose. I'm afraid that when written with a Sharpie, the inscription would get terribly blurry as it would have to be so small. I'd go for just the sig on the cap underbill, and then see if you could shake loose a photo of Brooks in that cap back in '56.

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Posted By: Mark Steinberg

I agree with NOT doing the inscription. I think these often look cheap and contrived, and a simple autograph might be better (if you must have it signed). If you have the signed letter attesting to the game-usage, that should more than suffice.

Also... Brooks does not have the world's most attractive penmanship. Would it be rude to say his writing looks like my son's writing in 4th grade? As much as I respect him and his accomplishments (he single-handedly ruined the 1970 World Series for me) I think it would look sloppy and might actually de-value this already beautiful piece.

I also hate it when people have beautiful game-used flannels signed. Especially, when the player writes "My Gamer" or something similar. Just let the historic piece speak for itself! Amazing pickup, BTW!

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I vote NO to all the above. I just don't like signatures on items like hats and jerseys. I think it's fine that you have the letter signed by Robinson attesting to the authenticity of the hat.

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Posted By: Greg Theberge

I agree with NO SIGNATURE at all.



It's a great piece of history. Have him sign a go-with piece of paper explaining the piece. You could type one up, have him sign it, and take a photo of the three of you (you, him, and the cap) for documentation and enjoyment.



As the great philosopher, Bill Belichick, says, "It is what it is". Personally, I think a signature would cheapen the historical aspect of the item (you don't see Hank Aaron's signature on his jersey in the HOF to the best of my knowledge).

Edited to just say I just saw you already have a signed document. If you get to meet him, take the hat and get a photo with him. Something nice to show the grandkids one day.


Just my two cents,

Greg

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Posted By: Rhys

I would take a photo of the cap and have him sign the photo with an inscription if you feel you want something other than the letter it came with. Cool item!

Rhys

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Posted By: Jon Canfield

I'm of different thought as those who posted directly above me. I would get the signature but not the inscription. I have quite a few Mattingly game used pieces (my favorite ball player growing up). I had purchased a wonderful Mattingly game-used home jersey from 1993. I went back and forth over whether to have Don sign it. Finally, I decided to get it signed it brought it to him. I simply had him sign the jersey "Don Mattingly #23." I love it signed - it looks great and was happy to have it done. In terms of value, I'm not sure if it increases or decreases value to have it signed. I would guess it does neither. Simply put, some may enjoy it signed (like me) while others may not.

======================================
For the premier online souce of information on baseball-related cigarette packs, visit http://www.baseballandtobacco.com

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Posted By: Rhys

I think the downside to getting it signed is that it can never be undone. In the case of a modern item like the Mattingly jersey (who I love growing up as well too) it is replaceable in that there is not only one knoen to exist. In the case of this hat, it is the only one in the world. If someone that would want it signed buys it they can always do that later, but there are a lot of purists out there who would not want it signed and for that reason I would leave it.

Rhys

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Posted By: Clint

James, I wouldn't get it signed either but if I did it would only be his name. Awesome hat and Brooksie is my favoite player. I have one of his game used hats from 1969 and have no desire to get it signed.

Clint

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Posted By: dstudeba

Great piece James, I remember when you first posted it. I would not get it signed. I have GU jerseys that have been signed and I wish they weren't.

Another point is I don't like putting a signature on it years and years after it was used. I have a Yaz gamer hat with a period signature that doesn't bother me, but I hate it when people go back and sign their stuff. IMHO it makes it look like a replica/presentation jersey.

As for the value of the hat, I am not sure, but I would likely bid on it.

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Posted By: brock

I'm kinda in the same boat as you, but my item is not worth as much. I have Chris Chambliss's yankee era game worn hat and i dont know if i should have him sign it. I want to bring it up to him and ask him about it. By the way nice hat.

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Posted By: Greg Theberge

dstudeba brought up a great point. If the signature was period to the hat it would mean something. Having something signed years after in a sharpy pen at a sports show doesn't mean as much. To be honest, I think it's almost defacing history.

The only modern piece in my collection is a game used base from game 2 of the 2004 Worlds Series. During the same auction, there was a base from game 1 signed by Johnny Damon for sale. My base, of course, went for more just because I was after that specific one, and it was from game two, the bloody sock game. Had I bought the other base, I would have to look at the Turncoats signature every time I saw the base. At one time, I was thinking of getting Schilling's signature on my base, then I thought better and realized that the base was better off left the way it left the field.

then again, that's just my opinion.

Greg

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Posted By: Tom Hufford

In general, caps are all alike. Aside from the size tag, there is nothing to distinguish one from another - no year tag, no number, no name, like a jersey has (or may have). These days, if a player needs a new cap, he just goes into the clubhouse, where there are boxes of each size cap, picks out one his size, and puts it on. Unless he writes something under the bill (his name, nickname, or usually his uniform number), no one will ever know who wore it after he takes it off.

A cap - signed or unsigned - will never have the value that a jersey would have.

If this cap were ever to be separated from the letter of authenticity, someone in the future may be able to identify it as a San Antonio cap, but probably not the year, and certainly not the player who wore it. If you had bought this from a yard sale in San Antonio, it may well have been Brooks', but no one would have ever known, or been able to prove, it.

That being said, I would have Brooks sign it under the brim (a better writing surface than on top), something like "Brooks Robinson - my 1956 cap".
And I'd have him do it in ballpoint - they didn't have sharpies in 1956.

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Posted By: Greg Theberge

"A cap - signed or unsigned - will never have the value that a jersey would have."



What???



It all depends on the item. This statement is much too generalized. I can think of a great Harry Hooper cap that I look at every now and then sold in Leland's years ago that I would take over the jersey of the same year.



In regards to the above statements by Tom, the fact of the matter is that the cap DIDN'T get a name placed in it when the ballplayer was playing ball in that cap. Putting it there fifty years later isn't the same thing.



I guess it all depends on how you view historic preservation. It doesn't matter if you're talking sports stuff or other pieces.

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Posted By: James Feagin

Lots of interesting discussion and advice! For the record, I think Rhys' idea is great!

Thanks

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Posted By: Clint

Tom, there are ways to date Wilson hats like the Robinson I have. I was told by a former player that the hat was used in 1969. At the time I had no way of knowing. Later I learned a way of dating Wilson caps that put the manufacture in 1968. This gave added credence to the story that the hat was used in 1969.

I'm sure there are other hat manufacturers that can be dated also. Now if you were talking about modern day hats I have no clue.

Clint

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Posted By: James Feagin

Sorry to bump an old thread. But I am getting insurance on this and need a ballpark range. What say you?

James

[Orioles1954]

Got a picture of Brooks Robinson today with the cap! Ever the gentleman, he stood up and shook my hand and we talked about our native Arkansas for about 5 minutes. He told me a neat story how he used to deliver newspapers to Bill Dickey on his paper route when he was a boy in Little Rock. There were about 4-5 toddlers there named Brooks. Still much loved in Baltimore.

[Jay Wolt]

Brooks turned 74 on May 18th, a more beloved figure in Baltimore doesn't exist.

[Orioles1954]

I also got a LOA.

[Mark70Z]

Love the Brooksie hat! Please post some further pictures of the hat; I'd love to see it. What do you collect? I can only assume part of it's the O's

[Neal]

Nice hat!