Kris Bryant
MLB Third Baseman and 2016 NL MVP · Baseball - MLB
Chicago Cubs
Era
Peak fame period - circa 2015-2018
Item Type
Signed Baseball
Condition
Good to Very Good; the ink shows some minor bleeding into the grain of the cover, and the ball appears to be a lower-quality synthetic version susceptible to yellowing
Rarity
Moderate signer - Bryant signed extensively during his Cubs tenure, particularly through exclusive deals with Fanatics
Overall Assessment
An authentic-looking, attractive signature on a budget-friendly ball. Ideal for a Chicago Cubs fan or a collector building a 2016 World Series set.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic - high confidence level
Signature Style
Highly stylized modern signature featuring an upright 'K' and a sprawling 'B' with a distinct 't' cross and a jersey number '17' inscription
Signature Characteristics
Fast, fluid script with heavy pressure on the initial 'K'. The middle of the name is often compressed, followed by a wide-sweeping flourish for the terminal part of the surname
Ink & Medium
Thin-tip red permanent marker on a synthetic or leather-covered baseball
Item Description
Baseball featuring a UABA logo and 'CHINA' stamp, characteristic of retail or youth league souvenir balls rather than Official Major League (OMLB) quality
Estimated Value
$60 - $100 USD (Unauthenticated on non-OMLB ball); $150+ if certified and on an OMLB
Comparison to Known Examples
Consistent with early-to-mid career examples, specifically the way he loops the 'B' and adds the tail 't' cross seen in Fanatics-certified pieces
Authentication Tips
Look for the specific 'B' loop that often looks like a 'W' and the shorthand 't' at the end that resembles a small 'z' or cross; check for fluid motion without hesitation
Certification Recommendation
JSA (James Spence Authentication) or Beckett Authentication Services (BAS)
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the flow and speed are consistent with his natural hand
Provenance Notes
Commonly found at Fanatics signing events; lack of a hologram or COA suggests it may have been an in-person stadium signature
Historical Context
Bryant was the cornerstone of the 2016 Cubs team that broke the 108-year World Series drought, making any items from this era historically significant to Chicago fans
Market Trends
Values peaked in 2016-2017; currently stable but softer compared to his MVP years due to injuries and team changes
Investment Potential
Hold - as a World Series hero and MVP, his legacy in Chicago is permanent, ensuring long-term demand despite current performance fluctuations
Similar Autographs
Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber (2016 Cubs core)
Display & Preservation
Store in a UV-protected acrylic cube; keep away from direct sunlight to prevent the red ink from fading and the ball from browning
Interesting Facts
Bryant has had exclusive memorabilia deals for much of his career, which actually helps keep 'street' signatures like this rarer than official 'hobby' versions