MLB FanFests

With the Padres Fan Fest being next Saturday, I thought I should post all the other Fan Fests and Caravan events around the league. Most of them are this month before the teams set out for Spring Training. I have links to the clubs' websites with more info.

Angels' Yard Sale

This is the first baseball jersey I ever purchased. It is a replica home Angels Majestic Athletic home jersey without a name on the back. I got in a sports apparel store for around $60 many years ago. It is worn out because I went to a lot of games wearing it.

Three years ago before the baseball season started, I received an email from the Angels promoting a game used yard sale that was going to be at Angels Stadium. They were going to have jerseys, balls, bats, and other things on sale. I wanted a new jersey because I admired fans at the Stadium wearing their replica or authentic Guerrero, Anderson, or Figgins jerseys. Also my replica jersey had seen better days.

I got to the Stadium gates about the same time they were about to open. There was a small line forming outside leading to the plaza near the team store. Through the gates I could see what was for sale. When I saw this, I couldn't believe it, I didn't know the team still had these, and I knew I was going to go home with one. I kept hoping the people ahead of me didn't have the same idea.

This is an Anaheim Angels Authentic Road jersey issued/possibly worn by Mark Lukasiewicz.

After their World Series win in 2002 and the ownership of the team changed hands, Artie Moreno, the current owner of the Angels re-branded the team the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. These road jerseys went away and the ones that replaced have Angels word mark on the front just like the home jersey on top of this post. I love the old Anaheim jerseys because I like when team font spells out the home team city like Los Angeles with the Dodgers' script. This jersey reminds me of when they won the World Series.

When I saw these few classic road jerseys on the racks outside the stadium, I thought to myself, "I'd spend $200 for one of them". I believe the team charged me less than $150.

After grabbing one of these, I wanted to get an alternate red jersey because I didn't have one and I may as get something a little more modern. I should mention with these yard sales teams are getting rid of jerseys of players that aren't on the roster. That means 75% of jerseys on sale are of middle relievers of days past that most people won't buy. Oddly enough there were a few people at the event excited to buy the Bat Boy jersey.

I found this jersey on the rack and I had to buy it because I liked the player cause he was a reliable and consistent reliever for the Angels and the other teams he was on. 

This is a LaTroy Hawkins Authentic Alternate Angels jersey. There isn't much to say about it. I paid less than $100 for it. The Angels had different prices depending on jersey. I believe the lowest price for a jersey was $75. I bought these two jerseys and a few unused line up cards.


Last year the Angels had their Yard Sale before a game on the Saturday before Mothers' Day. I went again because I was hoping to snag another Anaheim jersey or possibly a Disney Angel jersey. There was also a particular player I wanted because I know no one else would wear his name.

Joe Blanton. If you're a fan of the Angels, you know who he is. If you aren't completely sure just click the link to Baseball Reference. Blanton earned $6.5 million for one season with the Club and he went 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA. His tenure with the Angels was a disaster but he rebounded with the Royals and Pirates. Currently, he's with the Dodgers.

I bought another jersey because whenever I do this I buy in twos. 

This is my first Authentic Angels Home jersey. Hank Conger was a fan favorite backup catcher for the Angels. He is currently with Houston Astros. The interesting thing about the jersey is Velcro strips next to the word mark.

This is the only Angel jersey that I own that has any Velcro on it.
 The Angels were selling jerseys for $50 each. I also bought this bat for $50.

This is a game issued Raul Ibanez bat. Ibanez was great player who spent the twilight years of his career in an Angels uniform. I am tempted everyday to take it a batting cage but I don't want to break. It could have cork in it. :)

The Angels nor the Padres have announced when they are having this season's yard sales. I will post it on here when I have exact dates. These events I went to were open to the public.

Dodgers Fan Fest

Last year the Los Angeles Dodgers had their annual Fan Fest. This Fan Fest had meet and greets with players, state of franchise address, and an apparel sale. I picked up two jerseys for forty dollars each, both of them rare.

This is an authentic Dodgers blank road jersey circa 2001. It was made by Rawlings instead of Majestic Athletic, which produces all the MLB jerseys. Notice the white outline around Los Angeles, the Dodgers word mark, and the Rawlings logo on the left sleeve. Another interesting feature is the jock tag is inside the jersey instead of outside like the current Majestic jerseys.

This is a Spring Training jersey issued to Scott Elbert, who used to pitch for them. This is unique because it is green. During St. Patrick's Day several teams don green jerseys such as the Dodgers and the Red Sox.

One last thing, Majestic Athletic is having a clearance sale on their jerseys. http://www.majesticathletic.com/Authentic/l/609. There are many good deals on here.