How Do You Tell if a Baseball Jersey Is Real?

The sales of authentic replica Major League Baseball jerseys make up a large portion of the sports collectible market. These specially manufactured jerseys act as keepsakes, apparel and memorabilia for millions of fans. The savvy sports fan must guard against fraudulent MLB gear by closely investigating any product claiming authenticity. The official uniform manufacturer and Major League Baseball each take several steps to ensure the validity of official products. MLB fans and collectors must employ diligence and attention to detail to avoid the purchase of inauthentic items.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check the manufacturer's tag. The Pennsylvania-based sports apparel company Majestic Athletic designs and manufactures official Major League Baseball jerseys. The company sells Style 6200 as the official jersey worn by Major League Baseball players. Any official jersey should display a tag showing the company logo, style 6200 and the term "authentic."

    • 2

      Check the stitching. Authentic Major League Baseball jerseys are individually manufactured using high-grade professional tailoring designed to withstand the rigors of a full baseball season. The lettering of a player's name, the team name, the player's number and official team logo should be evenly stitched on while durable enough to withstand pulling, rubbing and rough handling. Check the official team colors to ensure that threads and material used on the logo matches the team's colors.

    • 3

      Check the Major League Baseball logo. Like many U.S.-based professional sports leagues, authentic Major League Baseball gear is manufactured with a League logo to verify authenticity. The now famous red/blue player silhouette was designed in 1968 by graphic designer Jerry Dior. During the manufacture process, the official logo is stitched into the uniform on the rear neckline and at the bottom front of the jersey.