Louisville Slugger Rookie Era Gary Sheffield bat

[brianborsch]

Hello,

I won an ebay autcion for this bat, and I wanted to see if it is indeed a bonafide rookie era game issued bat of Gary Sheffield. BMH? Anyone? It looks legit to me. It was going at a cheap price so I decided to buy first and ask questions later. Hopefully it is legit.

Brian B

[brianborsch]

Sorry,
Here's the pic:

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[brianborsch]

And some more:

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[chromecards]

Yes, it looks good to me. It dates from 1986 to 1989, and since his rookie year was 89 it is good.


Russell

[BMH]

My first question is the bat full dip clear or half dip clear? In the photos it looks full dip clear to me. Plus what's the length?

[brianborsch]

Its definitely full dip clear, as the gloss in the pics is even all around and the bottom view of the knob is glossy. Is that an inconsistency? As soon as I get it I can get you the length. BMH, what are your concerns here? You are the pro at this...

[BMH]

Well, the first thing that catches my eye is it's full dip clear. All of our Pro bats for game use are half dip clear if they order clear.

[metsbats]

That's an interesting point BHM and explain why I've never seen a natural wood blond gamer full dipped clear HB bat.

I do have a full dip clear Stan Musial HB replica M110 show bat which he was selling years ago. This bat has stamped on the barrel his batting champion years, National League, St. Louis Cardinals 1941-1963 and Musial signed them where his signature would have been branded in.

I also have full dipped clear Willie Mays The Say Hey Kid commerative bat which is autographed, Giants and Mets logos stamped with Mays HR, Hits, and AVG, MLB logo branded where Geninue, his name, Louisville Slugger would have been stamped. This bat as the 86-89 LV oval and the no. 4 stamped into the knob.

So are only special bats made for autographs full dip clear?

David

[brianborsch]

Are there any records of this type of bat early in Sheffield's career? What other details do you need? I can fill you in as soon as I get it.

Let me know...

BB

[BMH]

Well, the first two times he ordered the I13 they were both cupped in the beginning of 1989. His first order of noncupped I13's in 1989 were 34in/32oz but had no finish. His first order for clear no cupped I13's was in 1994, 34.5in/32oz. So I can't place this particular bat in 1989 as a gamer.

[brianborsch]

This bat looks like it is cupped. I can get you that detail when I get it. Was the cupped I13 bats a full clear finish? Is that detail there?

BB

[brianborsch]

Hey BMH,

I just got notice that the bat is being shipped. I can get you more detail when I have it. Let me know all that you need. I believe the bat looks cupped, but I will verify. Do you know if it is even possible that a game issued bat could have been requested with a full dip clear? I hope this bat is a legitimate game issued bat. But I did get it cheap, so no loss if it isn't. I just want to make sure the details all state one or the other and not in between. Keep me posted and thanks for all that you do!~

BB

[brianborsch]

BMH,

I just recieved the bat today, and it is a beauty. I am thinking it must be game issued as it is good wood. Low grain count too. Let me know what details you need...

[BMH]

What's the length? Is it cupped?

[brianborsch]

Hey BMH,

The bat is 34 inches and it is indeed cupped. Any other details needed to verify? Let me know...

Thanks!

Brian B

[BMH]

Well, here is the information that I have.

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