Tadahito Iguchi
MLB Second Baseman and NPB Legend · Baseball - MLB / NPB
Chicago White Sox / Chiba Lotte Marines
Era
Circa 2005-2010
Item Type
Baseball
Condition
Good; signature shows moderate fading and 'bleeding' into the leather grain
Rarity
Moderate; common during his active MLB years, rarer in US market since retirement to Japan
Overall Assessment
A genuine but moderately faded example of a key member of the 2005 World Series champion White Sox
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic (90% confidence)
Signature Style
Stylized Kanji-influenced script with Western initials 'T' and 'I' integration
Signature Characteristics
Angular vertical strokes, fast execution with consistent pen lifts between the first and last name components
Ink & Medium
Blue ballpoint pen on synthetic or leather baseball surface
Item Description
Standard size baseball with red stitching, lacks official league branding on this panel
Estimated Value
$40.00 - $75.00 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Consistent with 2005 World Series era authenticated samples
Authentication Tips
Look for the distinct 'A' shape within the Iguchi surname and sharp, jerky pen strokes typical of his fast signing style
Certification Recommendation
JSA (James Spence Authentication) or PSA/DNA
Red Flags
The fading is significant and characteristic of ballpoint ink reacting with certain synthetic leather coatings
Provenance Notes
Best coupled with Chicago White Sox or Chiba Lotte Marines memorabilia for context
Historical Context
First Japanese-born second baseman to win a World Series title (2005)
Market Trends
Stable; niche interest among 2005 White Sox 'World Series' collectors
Investment Potential
Low; primarily a player-specific or team-specific collectible rather than a broad market mover
Similar Autographs
Sohey Ohtani, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideo Nomo
Display & Preservation
Keep in a UV-protected cube; avoid direct contact with sunlight to prevent further fading
Interesting Facts
Iguchi is one of the few players to be a member of championship teams in both MLB and NPB