Blog: April 19-April 25, 2010

April 19, 2010. Nothing new in tonight's games, so let's look at the auction circuit... This is a tragedy... Not sure how this Pujols jersey made it through MEARS. The number on front is too large and too far right. It looks like the LOA says the number is 5" tall; it should be less than 4" tall. Also note from the buttons that it's a spring training jersey... Somebody paid a lot of money for this, and I'm not sure why. Jerseys in 1962 had names on the back, starting in spring training. This jersey has no evidence of letter removal and the number is too high to accommodate a NOB. Not sure how to explain this jersey, given the chain stitching, but the lack of a NOB is not consistent with 1962 jerseys... Someone also paid big bucks for a 1931-ish jersey with a felt patch on the front. As every Cards collector knows, the birds on bat have been embroidered since 1922. I'm guessing the sold jersey is a salesman's sample since Rawlings was trying to win the Cardinals business back at that time... Finally, I'm still trying to figure out what this jersey is in REA's current auction. I know for certain it's not from 1922-23, based on photos I've been able to find from those seasons. That style of birds-on-bat logo was used from 1924 through the 1926 regular season (not in the '26 World Series). However, road jerseys in those seasons were pinstriped. Plus, the '24 jersey would have a uniform number on the left sleeve, and the '25 jersey would have the National League's Golden Anniversary patch. Any ideas?

April 20, 2010. Bryan Anderson became the fourth player to catch for the Cards this season. In spite of being on the road, he was clad in red gear, head to toe (except for some blue accents on his helmet). His Mizuno chest protector made him look like a red stormtrooper... I'd like to thank the readers who responded to my March 31 post requesting donations to keep the site going. Because of the generousity of some very kind people (you know who you are), birdbats.com will keep the content coming. Thank you so much!

April 21, 2010. Schumaker was using a new bat tonight -- still an X-Bat, but instead of a natural handle, it had a Hornsby handle. Must have helped -- he went deep... On the last homestand, I bought a 2009 Rasmus bat because I wanted an example with the Louisville Slugger 125th anniversary logo. As a result, I no longer need the Rasmus bat I bought from the team last May (and got signed in January at the Warm Up). It's a great bat -- black LS ash with heavy use, a very minor crack and a team LOA. Best of all, it's one of the first bats Colby used for the Cards. I'm asking $400. Will post photos soon. Let me know if you're interested.

April 23-25, 2010. Please excuse the abbreviated entry this weekend, but time is short and there isn't much to report from San Francisco... On Friday, Jaime Garcia used a Walker-finished LS M9. Don't see the Walker finish much anymore... That's it. Really. Three games and one bat variation. Let's hope something happens Monday.