What Game-Used stuff is most valuable/ sought-after?

[thekingofclout]

There's something about slipping a players glove on your hand or gripping & ripping with your favorite player's game used bat that is simply magical.

I had a beautiful Clemente game used bat with tons of wear but had to sell it a few years ago due to a divorce. I learned...now it's me, the dog, and my roommates Babe, Lou, Joe, and Mick.

I'm also fond of Hats and I have a few pro models (one Yanks c. early 1960's MEARS LOA) but was most likely worn by a bat-boy, batting practice coach, or a bullpen catcher, but it does display wonderful.

In a SCP auction in the last year or two, I was the under-bidder on a pair of Ted Williams stirrups with his name sewn in. I ran into a very determined bidder on that one

I do own a circa 1970-71 Manager Ted Williams used BAT before games as skipper of the Senators, un-cracked and shows tremendous use. Exact model ordered by Williams during the time period. PSA/DNA Authentic graded GU-9.

It's quite a thrill to hold it, close my eyes, and start dreaming how Teddy Ballgame would lecture his players on the science of hitting, then step into the box and show them how to do it. I can almost feel the crack of the bat as I swing and yet another wonderful ball mark was ingrained onto my bat.

Sorry, I got carried away a little. Best to all, Jimmy

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[drc]

Gloves are less popular than jerseys and bats, but are a lot more rare. You don't find gloves for many players, so it's tough rate a glove versus a bat for a player. Jerseys and bats are by far the most popular, but they are also relatively plentiful. Can find only a few Mickey Mantle gloves, but a lot of bats. Also, the most expensive items recorded will be like a Ruth or Cobb jersey, whereas with a lesser player like Don Money it could be a glove. So in some cases the glove will be most expensive, in others a bat or jersey.

Considering player to player and other variations, the below is my value list.

Entire uniform (jersey, pants, cleats, socks, etc-- doesn't require fielding glove or bat).
Jersey
Fielder's Glove
Bat
Cleats
Helmet
Face Mask
Hat
Pants
Shin Guards
Equipment Bag
Game used ball
Batting Gloves

[base_ball]

In terms of value, I'd say a glove. It's a tool used by a player for, in some cases, years. Next would be a bat, then a jersey and cap, I suppose.

For me, however, the best kind of collectible is one that you can actually use in your everyday life, like a watch. So nothing beats a game-used jacket. I wear a couple of 1950s "game" (or so I've been sold) jackets as part of my Fall/Spring outerwear on occasion.

[drc]

I agree with you. There's something good about a piece of memorabilia you use, even if it's just an antique baseball pencil box you store your pencils in on your desk or a stadium chair you use as, well, a chair.

[danc]

I will go with the following:

1) Jersey
2) Bat
3) Fielder's Glove
4) Helmet
5) Hat
6) Cleats
7) Face Mask
8) Batting Gloves
9) Pants
10) Equipment Bag
11) Shin Guards

I think it's all a matter of a preference, but jerseys and bats appear to be "the king" and gloves are usually a personal item kept throughout a career and rarely offered, but with the right names, fetch $$$. I have some jerseys and bats --no gloves.

DanC

[perezfan]

A couple of comments...

A main reason that Hats don't rank higher is the lack of tagging/markings that collectors like to see. Often, there's a "leap of faith" required, when the only marking is a uniform number hand-written on the under-side of the bill. The much older caps (1930s and prior) had names embroidered into the sweatbands... and those always go for BIG bucks!

You left Jackets off the list. They often lack specific tagging as well, but can serve as gorgeous display items. Mastro had an Earl Averill Indians Jacket a few years ago, that may have been the most beautiful game-used garment I've ever seen. I will try to post a few of my favorites shortly, as I currently have no camera access...

[baseballart]

For some reason, "gloves" pop to the top of my mind



although it isn't baseball, I have to agree with Mark on jackets...

[perezfan]

That is simply gorgeous, Max.... nothing in sports today approaches that level of elegance!

Here are a couple of my sickest jackets (just to further convey the point...)

The Boston Braves Jacket was worn by Warren Spahn in the late 1940s (from Halper)

The Redlegs Jacket was worn by Sam Mele in the mid 1950s. Seeing it again confirms that I want to go the grave with this one (and be buried in it!)

[ksfarmboy]

My picks are as follows:

Jerseys
Bats
Gloves
Helmets
Hats
Cleats

The rest of the stuff I wouldn't give a second look at. I think that a Brooks Robinson glove or Ozzie Smith would definitely be much higher than their jerseys or bats. Similar gloves by players known for their defense would usually be higher.