Obscure Pirates Pitchers Romo & Scurry

[The Lumber Company]

Jim,
Thanks for the insight. I guess my question should have been more pointed. I do not understand these mysterious bat records. Are there records of all players that ever ordered through LVS? Can I find population reports on any player and not just the more popular players?

I scour all corners of the earth for these odd ball bats but sometimes I would like to know if I am chasing a dead horse. I know these bats are tough to find but I am trying to find out what my chances are.

I don't know if maybe the records exise but no one cares to tabulate all of this non-mainstream data for the less popular players.

Who holds these records? Are there an annointed few or are these records part of the public domian?

Thanks for any insight....
And the question that I always close with.....
Any Pirates bats for sale???
Regards,
Marty

[JimCaravello]

Hi Marty - to answer your specific questions:

1. I don't think that the records are mysterious, although at times they may seem to be. As has been mentioned in previous posts on Game Used Universe in the past, there have been a few people who have made their way into Louisville Slugger and found the right person who would assist in helping consumers with questions about bats. People like myself, Mike Specht, John Taube, Vince Malta and Dave Bushing are a few of the people I know that have had success over the years in obtaining records from Louisville Slugger. I now of other collectors who have also found their way into the "vault" and received a few records over the years. I found the right person who could help me several years ago - Karen Devoto. She is no longer with the company and took early retirement I believe last year. She was very helpful and fortunately, before she left Louisville Slugger, I obtained hundreds of records for my own personal collecting purposes. It all started for me several years ago when I was researching that Aldo Caravello bat that I mentioned in one of my blogs in the Expert's Corner. When I bought that bat - and with my very uncommon Italian name ( except in Sicily, where you will run into a few Caravellos ) - I wanted to do as much research as I could and I started with Louisville Slugger and found Karen.

2. I have found in my research of player's records that if a player played professionally ( which includes the minor leagues and semi-pro ball ) and they used Lousville Slugger bats that they ordered from Louisville Slugger, there should be a card for them on file which would detail all their orders. I have a good friend of mine who lives in Charlotte - his Dad played semi-pro ball for a New York team in the 50's. My friend had two block letter Louisville Slugger bats that his Dad left him - When Karen was still at Louisville, I requested that record and sure enough - he had about 10 orders in the 50's. He played the equivalent of A or AA ball back then.

The block letter aspect brings up another point. If a player had block letter bats, they did not have an exclusive contract with Louisville Slugger but were able to still order bats. Once a player signed a contract with Louisville, the bats they ordered were produced for them with their signature on the barrel.

Some examples of players who used both Adirondack and Louisville Slugger bats during their career but had contracts with Adirondack and not Louisville Slugger were Mike Schmidt, Willie Mays, and Willie McCovey. Their Louisville Slugger orders were all block letter model bats. Their Adirondack orders were all signature models.

I am sure there is a simple file in the archives of Louisville Slugger that lists every player that has ever ordered a bat from them since they started keeping records. I have never thought to ask for that in the past. I wouldn't even know who to call these days - but you can always try to place a call into the corporate office and see if you can be directed to someone who might help you. If you are successful and can find that person and list, you should be able to find out if the players you are collecting ordered bats from Louisville in the past - then you will know if your pursuit is valid in trying to collect those bats.

3. Lastly - you are correct - no one seems to care about the non-stars.........except me! If you ever want to see my George Zeber bat from the 70's - let me know. The bat is awesome and I cherish it. I collect 77 and 78 Yankees bats and Zeber was a member of both teams.....you are not alone in your quest for non star bats............

Let me know if I can be of any further help and good luck in your collecting pursuits!! Jim - jcaravello@nc.rr.com