Question for Mike Specht

[10thMan]

Mike, I recently saw a 1990 C263C L.S. T. Gwynn Bat. Looking at my Newer Malta Book, it lists almost all the C263C Gwynns as m,p,*, or f*...

The Bat I saw had Genuine C263C Tony Gwynn & the bottom line was burned "batting Champ"

Did he use any of the models labeled "batting Champ" or is this a Promo/Miscellaneous???

Thanks,

Sean

[MSpecht]

Hi Sean--

Regarding Tony Gwynn's orders of C263C (cupped) bats in 1990, the computerized H & B records do not indicate the use of the words "Batting Champ" below Tony's name. While that type of information often appears on the hand-written bat cards used from approximately 1930 to 1981, there is no field on the post-1981 computerized records for that information.

Here are Gwynn's specific orders of that model during the 1990 season. Remember the following assumptions:

1) Bats shipped to Baseball Miscellaneous or Baseball Promotions WITH a specific weight are presumed to be for the player's professional use;

2) Bats shipped to BB Miscell and BB Promo WITHOUT a specified weight are presumed to be for a promotion or some purpose other than the player's professional use;

3) Bats shipped to the San Diego Padres follow the same guidelines as noted in #1 and #2 above;

4) Bats shipped to John Boggs Associates without a specified weight are promotional bats. Boggs was Tony Gwynn's agent since 1986 and assisted and partnered with Gwynn in many marketing efforts over the years.

5) Bats shipped to J Boggs WITH specified model / length / weight / finish are a bit more problematic. The specified weight could indicate that the weight was requested by the player presumably for his use. The fact that such a shipment went to Tony's agent may indicate that the bats were meant to be promotional and the agent and player either wanted them to be exact as to dimensions, or may indicate that the bats were for Tony's personal use and were to be used for some promo purpose after use. On these orders, note the number of bats ordered as a possible guideline.

1990 Orders of C263C bats -- Tony Gwynn Signature Model

1/18/90 -- 33 in / 31 oz / Gwynn Finish / 12 bats / J Boggs Assoc
1/18/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 24 bats / J Boggs Assoc
2/19/90 -- 32.5 in / 0 oz / FT Finish / 1 bat / BB Promo
4/2/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 1 bat / BB Promo
4/4/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 24 bats / SD Padres
4/19/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 24 bats / SD Padres
4/25/90 -- 33 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 24 bats / BB Miscell
6/14/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 12 bats / BB Miscell
7/6/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 2 bats / BB Promo
7/12/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 24 bats / BB Miscell
7/25/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 18 bats / SD Padres
8/10/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 0z / FT Finish / 18 bats / SD Padres
8/13/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 24 bats / BB Miscell
11/20/90 -- 32.5 in / 31 oz / FT Finish / 36 bats / SD Padres
11/20/90 --32.5 in / 0 oz / FT Finish / 1 bat / BB Miscell


Note-- many of the orders in 1990 that did not specify weight (promotional orders) were for uncupped model C263 bats. Other models sent without specified weight included R161, B267C, and G170. Additional models sent that are presumed to be for Tony's personal professional use include: K55C (to BB Miscell and J Boggs Assoc).

Back to your original question -- whether Gwynn requested the use of the words Batting Champ on his game bats. I do not have that information, and will forward the question to Brian who may be able to shed some light on that after the All-Star Week activities. In the meantime, check through photos of Gwynn specific to the 1990 season and see if a bat with that barrel labeling can be found.

Good luck

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com (Jackitout7@aol.com)