MLB Logo/Louisville Slugger question

[godwulf]

I have been led to believe that the line-only, unfilled in MLB logo first appeared on LS bats in '99, and I still believe this to be the case. I've also heard that the filled-in logo appeared sometime during the 2000 season, and by 2001 had migrated around to the back of the barrel. Is that your understanding, as well?

I've got a couple of anomalous bats - Anomalous is a small company out of Connecticut - however, that make me wonder whether I've got the whole story, or if my timeline is correct.

One is a K100 fungo-type bat, with 'Bob Melvin, Arizona Diamondbacks' emblazoned on it, and the filled-in logo on the front; this bat could not have been made prior to 2001, 'cause that was Melvin's first year with the team.

The other is a 2001 Curt Schilling R205 bat with no logos on it at all, anywhere.

[Birdbats]

Re: MLB Logo/Louisville Slugger question

I personally don't think there is any way to narrow down the year of a bat from the type of MLB logo. The logo moved to the back in early/mid 2001. The first bat I saw like that was in June 2001.

Here's a previous thread on the topic:

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=8534&highlight=1999-2001

[Birdbats]

Re: MLB Logo/Louisville Slugger question

Just did a quick search of eBay and found two bats -- both from 2001 -- that have different logos.

One is a Fernando Tatis Expos bat. Tatis was traded to Montreal in December 2000, so this bat clearly was made after that date. It has the "solid" logo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fernando-Tatis-Game-Used-Bat-Montreal-Expos-Cardinals_W0QQitemZ220196047136QQihZ012QQcategoryZ60596QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The other is a Jeff Tabaka Cardinals bat. Tabaka was signed by the Cards in February 2001 and released after the season, so this bat also must be from 2001. It has the "outline" logo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jeff-Tabaka-Game-Used-Bat-St-Louis-Cardinals-Rockies_W0QQitemZ220196046870QQihZ012QQcategoryZ60596QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Would be interested to see if anyone out there has similar conflicting examples from 1999 and 2000.

[godwulf]

Re: MLB Logo/Louisville Slugger question

So it's obvious from what you said - and from the Tatis bat, and my Melvin bat - that there were some bats made in at least the first part of 2001 with the logo on the front.

Are you sure that the Tabaka bat has an "outline" logo? It's hard to see, but is it possible that it's just been hit a few times (there's definitely at least one big ball mark on it) and now it appears not to have been filled in? I have a few bats like that.

[Birdbats]

Re: MLB Logo/Louisville Slugger question

It's tough to see, but I'm certain that's an outline logo on the Tabaka. My buddy Don, who also posts on this forum, has a Tabaka Cardinals bat -- maybe he can confirm Tabaka's bats have the outline logo.

I'd bet most bats made for 2001 have logos on the front because the bulk of the production is done prior to the season. If the logo moved to the back on bats made after 4/1, for example, there would be thousands of 2001 bats with the logo on front.

[godwulf]

Re: MLB Logo/Louisville Slugger question

Since this is another LS labeling question, I thought I'd just tack it onto this thread, rather than start another.

Is 1991 really the first year that team names appeared on the barrel of the bat? Or is there some controversy or question about that, too?

[ironmanfan]

Re: MLB Logo/Louisville Slugger question

Yes...as far as LS is involved, 1991 was indeed the first year that team names appeared on the barrell.