Let's pull our resources together and try an experiment. It seems a few of us have been trying to interpret the numbering code on Sam Bats. For fun, I went through the Sam Bats I own and have sold, and also checked out a few online (eBay and retailer sites). I recorded the dates and code numbers on the barrel ends. Here's what I have so far:

Year-Date-Code-Player

2000 09/18 T.M. Tino Martinez
2001 05/24 A.P. Albert Pujols
2001 07/10 A.P. Albert Pujols
2002 02/18 J.D. Jeff DaVannon
2002 04/23 753 Albert Pujols
2003 02/15 2180 Kerry Wood
2003 03/27 2170 Eric Chavez
2003 04/30 2848 Matt Morris
2004 04/12 4442 Matt Morris
2004 05/19 4813 Jason Marquis
2004 08/04 4866 Marlon Anderson
2005 07/20 6507 Albert Pujols
2006 02/03 6848 Albert Pujols
2006 03/12 7545 Albert Pujols
2006 03/13 6848 Albert Pujols
2006 03/20 6896 Jay Gibbons
2006 04/19 7016 Ryan Howard
2006 09/07 7334 Eric Chavez
2007 04/10 7420 Alfonso Soriano

For the most part, the numbers increase consistent with the date. There's a hitch in early 2003 with the Wood and Chavez bats, and it seems the numbering backtracked and restarted in March 2006.

I ask that all collectors out there check your Sam Bats and post your manufacturing information. I'll compile the information and create a database to see what pattern emerges. If this works out, it may be easier to spot questionable Sam Bats. Thanks for your help.