Sam Bat manufacturing code database

[Birdbats]

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.

[andyt7499]

Hi,
I have a Victor Martinez Sam Bat that I purchased at the National this year. On the knob of my bat it has a sticker over the number with a maple leaf and I believe it says made in Canada. Martinez wrote his number over the sticker so I don't really want to remove it. I will post later tonight when I get home as Martinez has written a series of numbers on the end of the bat that may have the code you are looking for.

Thanks,
Andy

[Birdbats]

Hi,
I have a Victor Martinez Sam Bat that I purchased at the National this year. On the knob of my bat it has a sticker over the number with a maple leaf and I believe it says made in Canada. Martinez wrote his number over the sticker so I don't really want to remove it. I will post later tonight when I get home as Martinez has written a series of numbers on the end of the bat that may have the code you are looking for.

Thanks,
Andy

Andy, don't remove your sticker on the knob. The code is, indeed, on the barrel end of the bat. You'll see the length, weight, date of manufacture, model number and the code. Thanks!

[BoneRubbedBat]

2002 06/25 1043 Pudge Rodriguez
2003 07/21 3536 Jeriome Robertson
2003 08/14 3760 Andruw Jones
2004 06/10 5031 Jason Lane

[Nilbog]

2007 6/12 7629 Ryan Braun

[camarokids]

I have Eight Sam Bats.

Ben Grieve - NO CODE - 1 - 34" - 31.4 oz - 03 26 01 - KBv1 - B.G.
Aubrey Huff - 2005 - 5970
Jonny Gomes - 2004 - 4538
Jonny gomes - 2005 - 5967
Greg Vaughn - NO CODE - 34 - 32oz - 03 25 02 - 2K1 - GV
Jose Cruz Jr. - 7 13 2004 - 5319
Jose Cruz Jr. - 09 12 2004 - 5536
Toby Hall - 2004 - 4425

[Birdbats]

Ben Grieve - NO CODE - 1 - 34" - 31.4 oz - 03 26 01 - KBv1 - B.G.
Aubrey Huff - 2005 - 5970
Jonny Gomes - 2004 - 4538
Jonny gomes - 2005 - 5967
Greg Vaughn - NO CODE - 34 - 32oz - 03 25 02 - 2K1 - GV
Jose Cruz Jr. - 7 13 2004 - 5319
Jose Cruz Jr. - 09 12 2004 - 5536
Toby Hall - 2004 - 4425

David,

Thanks for the input. It's tough to tell from the photos, so if you can give me some clarification, I'd appreciate it.

Huff: Is the date 4/19/05? And are you sure that's 5970, or could it be 5930? That 7 kind of looks like a 3 with the bottom half faded.

Gomes 2004: Can you make out the date at all? Looks like a 16 before the 04... hard to tell.

Gomes 2005: Is the date 2/8/05?

Hall: Can you make out the date beyond 2004? Looks like maybe 6/12... again, tough to tell in the photo.

Thanks for your help!

[Birdbats]

Along with the date and code information, could you also please note whether "Wilson" is on the barrel and whether it's the small or large version (both are visible in David's photos). This probably applies in 2004 and 2005 only. We'll know for sure as your input keeps coming in. Thanks!

[eGameUsed]

Jeff,

Great idea on the database! I do not have that data in my bat inventory, but will get some of the ones I have handy later this evening. I remember talking to the owner of Same back in 2003 or so. My question was in regards to the date. I had bats that were dated "26-5-03." Obviously, some European and other foreign countries put the day before the month. The reason I brought this up was that a bat labeled "4-5-03" might mean 5/4/2003 or 4/5/2003 depending on how it is interprested. Obviously, "26-5-03" means 5/26/2003." Not sure if that makes sense, but I think they have adopted the "American" (is that PC?) dating system. Has anyone else experienced this? This could explain the numbers being out of order.

Also, are you planning on putting the database on your site? Maybe you could not the source of the bat to give collectors a chance to compare and inquiry about specific labeling. Just a thought! Might be too much info!

One last question, has anyone found duplicate numbers? Rawlings using a batch code per 2, 6, or 12 bat case. I wonder if Sam does that?

Thanks,

[whatupyos]

Jeff...
I'm sure you got my email...all three of my bats are Wilson. Hope this helps.
Aaron