This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2012
Blonde Mike Schmidt 1988-89 Philadelphia Phillies professional model bat exhibiting heavy use. Although Mike Schmidt favored Adirondack bats during his 18-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, he also regularly ordered and used Louisville Sluggers. As a non-contract H & B player, his Louisville Slugger bats are only found with his name in block letters on the barrel label. This bat contains some of Schmidt’s known personal characteristics, specifically his uniform number written on the knob in a characteristic manner, and an often seen pattern of pine tar on the handle. Also evidenced are other game use characteristics, including ball marks, hit marks, rack marks, and cleat marks. This unbroken bat is a very rare model that Schmidt ordered only three times in his career for a total of 24 bats, and is historically significant as it was used towards the end of Schmidt’s Hall of Fame career. One of the most interesting traits on this bat is evidence of a tape application near the middle of the handle exactly where it would be on Adirondack bats. As an Adirondack contract player, Schmidt likely did this to make a H & B bat he was using appear to be an Adirondack with the use of a ring of red tape. This is not evidenced on all of Schmidt's game-used Louisville Sluggers, but is significant when found to place the bat directly in his hands.
Incredibly rare and popular Mike Schmidt war club.
(Michael Specht Authentication)