Presented here is a San Francisco Giants road jersey attributed to being game used by the scandal plagued slugger on August 9, 2001 when Bonds launched his 543rd career home run (and 49th of the record-setting 2001 season) in a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati, OH. The grey knit jersey is lettered “San Francisco” across the front and features the name “Bonds” on the reverse. The number “25” appears on the reverse directly below the name. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in black on orange tackle twill. A “Russell Athletic” label is located on the left front tail, directly below which is a white “2001 Barry Bonds Authenticated” label. A San Francisco Giants team patch adorns the left sleeve. The jersey has been signed and inscribed on the reverse in black felt tip marker, “Barry Bonds - HR 543.” The jersey is completely original, with no alterations. The jersey is accompanied a certificate of authenticity from Barry Bonds Authenticated.
In addition to Bonds’ career being immersed in controversy, so has gone the way of much of his game used memorabilia. Barry Bonds Authenticated—the company that was at one time the direct source for Barry Bonds memorabilia—was run by Bonds’ best friend (and best man at his wedding), Steve Hoskins. Over the course of Bonds’ historic home run chase, Hoskins purportedly acquired a number of Bonds’ game used items and sold them through the Barry Bonds Authenticated company. All was well until the steroid scandal came to surface, and in 2003 Bonds and Hoskins terminated their friendship for unknown reasons (Hoskins was a key witness against Bonds in his perjury trial several years later).
Shortly after their friendship was terminated, Bonds begin to make accusations that the game used memorabilia and autographs sold by Hoskins through Barry Bonds Authenticated were not authentic. Hoskins countered by saying that Bonds was making such accusations because he did not claim the proceeds he received from Barry Bonds Authenticated on his tax returns.
Those in the collecting community are torn as to who is telling the truth in this situation. Some side with Bonds, while other believe Hoskins stance. Many authenticators (included JSA and PSA/DNA) have refrained from certifying any further Bonds material with Bonds Authenticated association. That being said, we are offering this lot with full disclosure of its origins and current standing within the hobby and ask that you bid accordingly based on this information. One thing that is for certain is that regardless of which side is correct, this jersey undoubtedly stands as a piece of baseball history—albeit a notorious history!