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McGwire Signed Budig Ball-Authenticated by PSA

There are some mistakes that I have seen by TPA's that are easier to understand, such as the Jackie Gleason secretarials that for years were thought to be authentic.

In this case, I am struggling to understand why one of the top TPA's determined that this Mark McGwire signture on a Gene Budig baseball, is authentic.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARK-MCGWIRE-Signed-Autographed-Rawlings-OA...

the problem with this signature is that it is an attempt at a mid to late 80's Mac signature style.

the Budig ball (mid-nineties) and the STL25 (late 90's) would mean that he would have signed this with his later style, such as this:

I am not one to constantly berate TPA's for erring on their opinions. But in this case, I feel there is no excuse for this ball being authenticated. Obviously, someone with little knowledge of McGwire signatures rendered a decision on this. someone got screwed out of an authentication fee, but I doubt any knowledgable buyer will purchase this, despite the PSA sticker.

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Permalink Reply by Erich Jerozal on November 28, 2014 at 4:44pm

I see the difference.

I just picked this Mac up a couple weeks ago. Game used. Different style though. This is a Selig Ball. Newer style sig. This is not Authenticated.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on November 28, 2014 at 5:05pm

that is a recent signature. for many years he wouldn't sign on the sweet spot. that is way his Cardinals era signature on Coleman balls, sweet spot signed, were in such high demand. then he cut a deal with Steiner and started signing on the sweet spot, and these were very expensive.

when he started coaching he changed his signing habits, and now he freely signs on the sweet spot, with his newer, shorter signature.

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Permalink Reply by Erich Jerozal on November 28, 2014 at 5:09pm

how does PSA make such a mistake though...the two you have compared to up top IMO have no similarities.

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on November 28, 2014 at 5:12pm

I don't know the answer to that one, Erich

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Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on November 28, 2014 at 5:07pm

for comparison, this is an authentic mid to late 80's Mac signature

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Permalink Reply by David S on November 28, 2014 at 6:19pm

I picked this up recently in an auction lot - it's on a 1984 Olympic Ball. Not authenticated, but looks like terrier's above. I wonder if it's actually from 1984?