I Have a Serious Question
The other day I saw that the MLB store has a sale going that you can get an authentic personalized jersey for $99. I forwarded it to my wife as a possible Christmas or birthday gift. She asked me if it should have my name on it or a player's name on it? This caused a bit of consternation in my mind. In the past, I thought that a personalized jersey with your own name on it was stupid. I mean there's no one named "Massey" on the Rangers. According the baseball-reference.com, there have three Masseys in the big leagues in history: Bill Massey played 13 games for the Cincinnati Red in 1894 (apparently the 5-11 168 lb Massey was big enough to be nicknamed "Big Bill"), Mike Massey played 31 games for the 1917 Boston Braves, and Roy "Red" Massey topped them all by playing 66 games the following year for those same Braves. In football, the only Massey I know of was a 90's Defensive back named Robert Massey. He even made the Pro-Bowl one year.
Anyway, having a Ranger's jersey with Massey on it seems the ultimate of loser-dom. However, if I get a player's name on it, what if they are traded or starts to really stink or starts fighting dogs or something like that? I mean, what if in Dec 2000 in those heady days after the Rangers stunned the world and signed A-Rod to the most ridiculous contract in history and it looked like he could be playing in Arlington for 10 years, I had run out and bought an A-Rod #3 jersey? I would be even more angry than I am now that they traded him. Perhaps a Michael Young #10 jersey would be a good idea. He signed a big contract in the off season and signed through 2013. Now we can debate the wisdom of that contract, but logic would say that he is here for the long haul right? Maybe he'll become to the Rangers what Craig Biggio is to the Astros, not quite to Hall of Fame level, but fan favorite level. But maybe not. Maybe he declines starting next year and by 2013 he's been released or traded for a spare starting pitcher with the Rangers picking up a lot of that contract. Either one could happen.
If I get a jersey with my name on it, I know I'll never get traded. I mean, honestly, if I've stayed with the Rangers this long, bad baseball isn't going to cause me to leave my fandom at the door.
So what should I do? Jersey with my own name on it, a player's name, or is there a 3rd way? I need to know what you guys think.
8 comments:
1) No on the Massey jersey.
2) If you go with a current player, Young is probably your safest bet, and one you can wear with pride.
3) You asked for a third option, and I've got one for you: throwback. Get an early 90s Nolan Ryan. Great player, and you never have to worry about him getting traded or the uniform changing. It's safe on all counts, and most importantly, it's way cool.
I echo Chris' statement. As someone who had a Nieuwendyk Stars jersey that was hopelessly out of date until he retired (Now, it's a throwback..), I recommend going with a historical player. For the Rangers the obvious pick is Ryan, but what about someone like Rusty Greer. I think either of those would be good choices.
What about players with the last name Russell? That would be funny. But I'm just your wife, what do i know about your nerdiness factor?
Your mother thinks you should put Jeanette on the back or is that too long?
You could get ahead of the curve and get an A-Rod Cubs jersey.
Funny related story: a guy over at armchairgm.com recently posted that before going to a Chicago Bears preseason game, his wife presented him with an orange alternate personalized jersey. The damage? Instead of wearing his safe and always cool Singletary throwback, he went in an orange alternate (Strike One) personalized (Strike Two) jersey that read 'Briggs', doubling as the jersey of he who had a little trouble with his Ferrari recently (Strike Three, you're out!)
Well, what about a Ryan 24 in the current main jersey? Obviously he never wore that jersey. Or do I need to find a replica of a jersey he actually wore?
Gotta be one he wore. Sorry, I know that isn't on MLB's sale list. But if you do a little searching you may be able to find it somewhere else for a reasonable price. For example, I searched Amazon and found a throwback Ryan Astros jersey for $99.
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