Ryan Braun Auto ??

[RealBrianD]

While I agree 100% that it's not a real Ryan Braun ball, something to consider is there was also another player named Ryan Braun, a pitcher I believe. It could be that Braun. Idk. And yes, it's a very cheap ball not worth much. Synthetic leather or "made in China" balls are terrible! That pioneer league ball is a good one though, it's still full grain leather etc. ROMLBs are hands down the best balls for sigs though. Also, Rawlings makes an ROML ball, it's their "spec ball", same exact qualities as a ROMLB, for a third of the price. Looks slightly different (black ink, different stampings etc) but same quality. Can be found on Dicks.com I have a Jon Lester "spec ball" and it looks great and has retained quality very well. It was signed in 2011 according to the mlb authentication database and still looks incredibly fresh...I wouldn't buy that Braun ball if I were you. It's a suckers dream and a knowledgable collectors nightmare!

[RealBrianD]

On a REAL Braun auto, I have seen him write "#8" with the number sign, but that sig is horrible fake! On his legit autos the "R" in Ryan and the "B" in Braun are almost identical looking, just slight difference. This is a terrible forgery lol

[dscards]

I checked it against signatures of the pitcher Ryan Braun before posting. Wasn't his either.

I would recommend you stay away from the Rawlings 'specs' balls for signatures you want to retain value. I haven't heard good things about those long term, and regardless, only OMLBs actually have value among serious memorabilia collectors.

[RealBrianD]

I've never heard a single negative thing about spec balls (aside from "value of item"- which don't matter to me as I just collect, don't sell). I don't see how they could be so much worse than an ROMLB since both are made from 100% exact same leather, same stitching, same cover, same cover. It's made to "the exact specifications of the official ball" so where could a difference be? Not trying to be a smart a s s I'm just honestly asking

[dscards]

I don't believe they're made from the exact same leather. A rep from a sporting good store once quoted me that the leather is "a grade below what is used in ROMLBs". When they say 'exact specifications', I assume they mean: size, weight, stitch height, etc.

My question would be: if these spec balls are actually made of the exact same materials and methods as an OMLB, and the only difference is the color of the ink stamped on them, why would they sell them for 1/3 of the price?

I'm sure if you're careful with them, keeping them in a 100% UV-protected case, they might just hold up with time. However, I wouldn't take the risk with any big names.

The same as you, I'm in no way trying to be a smart-a. I'm simply trying to pass some advice on collector-to-collector. When I was younger, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Johan Santana used to sign before every Twins game. I had dozens of cheap baseballs signed by each that have since faded to absolutely nothing. Would hate to see others make the same mistakes I did.

[quackhead]

Wow, you're right about another Ryan Braun playing ball. From Canada I believe. And some great info about which balls to use for getting autographs. Thanks again.

[runningthis15]

if you look close the ball was autographed before but faded and the person tried to copy the sig to make it look new again thats why it says 5 and not 8 you can see the outline slightly