Jose Albert Pujols ball
iahawks55000000
Posts: 46
Not really sure where to ask for help on this, but I thought I would try here. A little story behind this ball, and then some information I have gathered.....
I bought this ball 3-4 years ago from a local American Legion umpire in Springfield, Missouri. Pujols played in two tournaments here, documented in several articles.
“I saw it with my own two eyes,” Stone said, grinning. “It was another shot. I’ve never seen anyone hit it over the tracks — but that wasn’t the farthest ball I saw him hit.”
That came in an American Legion contest in Springfield, Mo., where a Pujols blast was estimated at more than 570 feet.
That’s Mickey Mantle territory — Pujols was a high school kid when he connected.
“We were playing in Springfield and he hit a ball to left-center field,’’ Stone said. “The fence was marked 420 feet. After the game, we went out and stepped off where the ball hit and it was at 50 yards. I’ve never seen one hit that far.”
News Article
So, I contacted his now retired Legion coach, Gary Stone, via email, and this was part of his response......
"Albert played for me (Hiboy Drive In/Post 340) in 1997-98. He played in the Springfield Holliday Tournament during both those years. He wore #13, and his given name is Jose Alberto Pujols. I only have team pictures from those years."
So, I have this ball, but the signature would be from either 97-98, after he had been in the US for 1-2 years and there is NOTHING to compare this signature with. So, I am doubting the ability or willingness of any of the authenticators to pass this ball, as it would be too risky for them to do it. But, knowing the story behind the ball, and some of the other documentation I have come up, I have no doubt it's authentic. Any ideas?
Sorry about the pic, I tried about 10 times to get a good picture.
I bought this ball 3-4 years ago from a local American Legion umpire in Springfield, Missouri. Pujols played in two tournaments here, documented in several articles.
“I saw it with my own two eyes,” Stone said, grinning. “It was another shot. I’ve never seen anyone hit it over the tracks — but that wasn’t the farthest ball I saw him hit.”
That came in an American Legion contest in Springfield, Mo., where a Pujols blast was estimated at more than 570 feet.
That’s Mickey Mantle territory — Pujols was a high school kid when he connected.
“We were playing in Springfield and he hit a ball to left-center field,’’ Stone said. “The fence was marked 420 feet. After the game, we went out and stepped off where the ball hit and it was at 50 yards. I’ve never seen one hit that far.”
News Article
So, I contacted his now retired Legion coach, Gary Stone, via email, and this was part of his response......
"Albert played for me (Hiboy Drive In/Post 340) in 1997-98. He played in the Springfield Holliday Tournament during both those years. He wore #13, and his given name is Jose Alberto Pujols. I only have team pictures from those years."
So, I have this ball, but the signature would be from either 97-98, after he had been in the US for 1-2 years and there is NOTHING to compare this signature with. So, I am doubting the ability or willingness of any of the authenticators to pass this ball, as it would be too risky for them to do it. But, knowing the story behind the ball, and some of the other documentation I have come up, I have no doubt it's authentic. Any ideas?
Sorry about the pic, I tried about 10 times to get a good picture.
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Comments
and as far as your pics go, make sure you have the macro setting turned on (looks like a tulip) That is for closeups and should get rid of that blur.
PSA will not make any mistake on someone like Pujo's so no need to worry there. My kids will also get my entire collection but at least now I know without a doubt that they are genuine and have more liquidity to them than before. As far as getting your Pujos ball authenticated thats up to you but if your like me i just had to know, and I'm glad I did. TB
<< <i>That came in an American Legion contest in Springfield, Mo., where a Pujols blast was estimated at more than 570 feet.
That’s Mickey Mantle territory — Pujols was a high school kid when he connected.
“We were playing in Springfield and he hit a ball to left-center field,’’ Stone said. “The fence was marked 420 feet. After the game, we went out and stepped off where the ball hit and it was at 50 yards. I’ve never seen one hit that far.”
>>
His longest HR in MLB is 455', but he hit a 570+' HR at age 18?
<< <i>His longest HR in MLB is 455', but he hit a 570+' HR at age 18? >>
what are you talking about 455'? There's been plenty hit beyond that
<< <i>Thats a fake. >>
of course it is, you don't own it. Every piece of Pujols memorabilia is fake if you don't own it. All of the ones that you own are 100% authentic.
<< <i>Awesome ball!!
and as far as your pics go, make sure you have the macro setting turned on (looks like a tulip) That is for closeups and should get rid of that blur. >>
Also get some good photo tips
here are some better pics of interested.....
<< <i>
<< <i>His longest HR in MLB is 455', but he hit a 570+' HR at age 18? >>
what are you talking about 455'? There's been plenty hit beyond that >>
By him? What's your source?
EDIT: I stand corrected. He does have some over 455', but I couldn't find any by him over 469' at hittrackeronline.com.
I like to photo my balls with a black background and use the flash but at just enough angle that it doesn't show the flash. I use black bookcase and put the ball deep in the corner.
<< <i>
<< <i>His longest HR in MLB is 455', but he hit a 570+' HR at age 18? >>
what are you talking about 455'? There's been plenty hit beyond that >>
Aluminum bat.
<< <i>Thats a fake. >>
Why?
<< <i>Thats a fake. >>
...as you use your alt "Dizzle" to PM a offer...
<< <i>Thats a fake. >>
That's just sad. Guy comes on here with a cool Pujols item, and rather than
give him some advice and compliment him on the killer piece, you spew forth
a 3-word sentence dripping with jealousy and offering nothing of value to this
thread. Even if you legitimately think it's a fake, at least give the guy some
knowledge and tell him the reasons it's not authentic.
To the OP:
Cool story, iahawks, and a sweet baseball! It's definitely worth following the
advice some have given to contact PSA/DNA. They might not have an exemplar
to compare with, but your ball could give them some knowledge on the evolution
of Pujols' signature. Good luck and thanks for showing it off.
Mike
<< <i>The main question I have is why would someone have gotten some kid's autograph on a baseball rather than the whole team? Makes me think it's a fake. >>
Back in 1987 & 88 in Hamilton & Cincinnati Ohio, there were quite a few people getting single signed Mark Lewis and Ken Griffey Jr. autographs on baseballs. both drafted into MLB in 1988/89. I would imagine a lot of people were getting Lebron James Autos too before he got out of High School.
Point being ,sometimes you just know they are going to make to the big show. and everyone knows a single signed item is worth more than a team ball with a bunch of high school kids & 1 MLB player. JMHO
I've seen a lot of variations in early Pujols sigs. 1st I want to tell you that neither of the2 authenticators are going to pass the ball. They might just push it back to you. There exemplar files dont go back past 2000 so they wont authenticate any early items without having exemplars.
I have a bat from the 2000 MWL All Star Game signed by both teams & Jsa or Psa wont pass the Pujols. I know its real but they never seen this auto variation before.
If you know its real then just keep it & sooner or a later other early Pujols items will be released.
Best regards!
1992 GCL, 93 Stadium Club, 93 Greensboro,, 93 South Atlantic League, 93 Topps Marlins & Rockies,, 94 Classic Tampa, 94 Procards Tampa, 94 Florida State League & 95 Columbus Clippers.
<< <i>There exemplar files dont go back past 2000 so they wont authenticate any early items without having exemplars.
I have a bat from the 2000 MWL All Star Game signed by both teams & Jsa or Psa wont pass the Pujols. I know its real but they never seen this auto variation before.
If you know its real then just keep it & sooner or a later other early Pujols items will be released.
Best regards! >>
Would it do any good to track down the umpire again and get him to write out a statement, or is that inconsequential? I probably should have done it when I bought it, but future value and authenticating wasn't anything I was planning to do at the time.
Again, thanks for all of the advice.
There's no reason anyone [but you] would believe it. I mean -- what happens if I write a letter and pretend to be an umpire. Provenance in that form usually only works when people know the person from whom it is coming.
(or sometimes, to a lesser extent, when it is a Babe Ruth ball, bat, etc., that has been in a family for 80+ years, with an accompanying photo or something...)
<< <i> << The main question I have is why would someone have gotten some kid's autograph on a baseball rather than the whole team? Makes me think it's a fake. >>
Back in 1987 & 88 in Hamilton & Cincinnati Ohio, there were quite a few people getting single signed Mark Lewis and Ken Griffey Jr. autographs on baseballs. both drafted into MLB in 1988/89. I would imagine a lot of people were getting Lebron James Autos too before he got out of High School. Point being ,sometimes you just know they are going to make to the big show. and everyone knows a single signed item is worth more than a team ball with a bunch of high school kids & 1 MLB player. JMHO >>
I laughed in 1990 or so when a bunch of my football buddies decided to get the autograph of some high school basketball player that played for a visiting team. I knew back them that making it to the NBA was nearly impossible. Who knew that the kid would be an NBA future Hall of Famer. His name was Jason Kidd.
I also couldn't figure out who the autographed picture of a baseball player was on one of my coaches office wall was. His name was Randy Johnson.
It would have been nice to find an old game used high school jersey of Randy Johnson in the storage room.
Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
I am but live in Columbia for school.
John
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
<< <i>The main question I have is why would someone have gotten some kid's autograph on a baseball rather than the whole team? Makes me think it's a fake. >>
umm simply because he was the only one to hit 570 foot homers?
Also besides the aluminum bat he also wasn't facing MLB pitching at that time.
I have no idea if it's realor fake but I'd rather have it than some jock strap that has surfaced around here from time to time
or some bat that was supposedly used for some historic purpose which at this time I have forgotten.
Steve
Or are you saying he was the umpire?
I ask because the article claims he was the coach. If so. why wouldn't he just have Pujols sign it himself.
Or was Stone just part of the provenance story?
Did I read that article correctly?
It is after all 3 am.
too new and untouched.....he would have signed a GAME USED BALL...
also that auto showes a "reverse flow" of the "A"....even though autos change during the years, the "trajectory" of the pen remains the same...he drew that "A" backwards the way he does now....
sorry, thats my opinion.....
and i think my opinion matters in this case because I would be the high bidder if i wanted it...
<< <i>I'm a little confused, did this person named Stone buy it from an umpire?
Or are you saying he was the umpire?
I ask because the article claims he was the coach. If so. why wouldn't he just have Pujols sign it himself.
Or was Stone just part of the provenance story?
Did I read that article correctly?
It is after all 3 am. >>
The ball was bought off the umpire. Trying to verify a few things, mainly the fact that it was signed #13, I contacted Stone to see if he recalled what number Pujols wore in Legion, to which he confirmed it was number 13.
<< <i>i dont like the ball itself...
too new and untouched.....he would have signed a GAME USED BALL...
also that auto showes a "reverse flow" of the "A"....even though autos change during the years, the "trajectory" of the pen remains the same...he drew that "A" backwards the way he does now....
sorry, thats my opinion.....
and i think my opinion matters in this case because I would be the high bidder if i wanted it... >>
A couple of questions and comments....The ball actually does have some light dirt marks on it. It's not the same whiteness one would see from a newly bought ball. However, it doesn't have heavy game use, for sure.
A question about the "A". Are you saying that it is drawn differently than he currently does, making it suspect, or it is drawn the same as he currently does, making it suspect?
Thanks again
Good luck whatever you do - it is a nice item with a cool story!
Hawks thanks for the clarification.
I also saw where you said in your OP you were not looking to sell it, that seems to have been lost on a few here.
Steve
<< <i>The used ball theory is flawed, if anyone would have a decently clean ball it would be an UMPIRE.
Hawks thanks for the clarification.
I also saw where you said in your OP you were not looking to sell it, that seems to have been lost on a few here.
Steve >>
Steve - even though he said he doesn't want to sell it now it looks like he his trying to find value in it to pass it down to his kids... the OP did say his kids will probably sell it off in Vegas - I'm sure he was kidding but I do think he like to know what the true worth of the ball is.
However, I believe your story and do like some of the similarities between your auto ball and the one in MinorLeagueSource's sigline. I am by no means a reference on autos though. I can imagine a young kid signing a ball for one of the first times is not going to have a sig that even closely resembles his later signature. Personally I don't sign my own signature enough for it to look the same signing after signing and I've had years as an adult and lots of occasional practice. That comes with years of signing insane numbers of requests. If I were you, I'd keep it, if it can later be authenticated it would obviously be worth considerable money. Without authentication people will pay a lot less considering it a gamble.
>>
Steve - even though he said he doesn't want to sell it now it looks like he his trying to find value in it to pass it down to his kids... the OP did say his kids will probably sell it off in Vegas - I'm sure he was kidding but I do think he like to know what the true worth of the ball is. >>
Yeah, I was kidding about my kids. No, I have no intentions on selling a ball. The main question was just asking whether it was worth sending to a 3rd party authenticator, which, after the help here, has helped me determine the answer to be no.
<< <i>Only a professional handwriting analyst could give you the confirmation you're looking for. >>
Any ideas on who to contact if I were to go that route?
Steve
<< <i>Google it and see.
Steve >>
Link
p.s. It would be laugh out loud spewing liquid on my monitor pissing my pants funny if the sig on that ball was not only deemed authentic, and then put up for sale to anyone but fandango. Well, maybe not that funny, but I'd definitely chuckle.
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