During each off-season, we all speculate about how the team should spend money to acquire players that would fill the perceived holes from the prior season. It is so easy to do, because we are not spending our own personal money, we are figuratively spending the owner's money.
There are ways that we spend our own money, including tickets, memorabilia, subscriptions, and jerseys. So let's have some fun today and talk about a pretty common investment made by many dedicated baseball fans - the purchase of a favorite player's jersey.
Making the decision to purchase a jersey is harder today than it was years ago. Teams are constantly shuffling rosters to optimize their build, and even top players are fair game for trades or free agent acquisitions. The cost of jerseys is also at an all-time high, running from $100-$200 for most selections. One would hope that when you open the wallet to buy that fan gear that it would be something you can use for many seasons. That is not a sure bet with today's roster volatility.
The last one I purchased was a Jeff McNeil #6. I figured it was a safe bet, since he was a valuable contributor to the team, and could play enough roles that the team would want to keep him. Well, that was partially true - they kept him for a while, but he gave his number to Starling Marte, so I was very quickly in possession of a historical artifact.
It is time now to shop for another, and maybe I will get a good price if there is an oversupply during a lock-out. But what should I choose?
One approach is to select the jersey worn by a Soto or Lindor. Neither is going anywhere soon, and neither is likely to offer their number to someone else.
Another approach is to choose an upcoming star like McLean, Benge, or Ewing. But a great season as a rookie does not guarantee long-lasting success. Think about those baby Mets that all seemed to be sure things - now they are frequently included in those speculative articles about trades with other teams.
I could go old school with a former Mets' hero like Hernandez, Piazza, or Beltran and not have to worry about obsolescence. But I already have a David Wright #5, so I think I have the past covered.
This leads us to the fun question of the day - what Met player's jersey would you purchase today?
6 comments:
Wright or wrong, I have never been a paraphernalia guy…but I do have a Seaver rookie card tucked away somewhere. I kept it because Duffy Dyer was on it. His real first and middle names? Donald Robert.
I used to wear a lot of this stuff, but I donated all of it, other than my Mets and Knicks socks. Also donated all y rock and vet merch. Now I just wear blank shirts
I also don’t care much for spending this kind of money to show my fandom. But, to answer your question in who I would buy if I were buying one today, I would go Benge first, McLean second, Soto third.
Merch sells better if ticket sales are better, The latter requires 88-74, not 74-88. Heck, at 88-74, I might even buy a ticket.
I hear that Peralta's is cheap.
Never bought a jersey. If I did it would be Casey Stengel. As I age gracefully, I can show my inner incomprehensibility accordingly
Post a Comment