Maris bat on ebay?

[dougiedshow]

What do you guys think a team index Maris bat is worth? I wouldn't mind owning it, but not sure what it's worth. Saw this one sold previously...
http://www.mearsonlineauctions.com/L...spx?lotid=8485

[earlywynnfan]

I think you have the best answer as to the value right there. Why somebody would pay over a grand for a bat that has less than 1% chance of being in Maris' hands is beyond me, but to each his own.

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

[MSpecht]

Here is the seller's wording (emphasis mine):

"This bat was likely ordered by the NEW YORK YANKEES team for use by Maris during the 1961-1964 seasons. The bats Roger Maris personally ordered directly were usually 35", but model O16 was his bat of choice and 35oz was a common weight for Maris. So, this bat may have been used by Maris or one of his Yankee teammates."


Here are the facts:

1) During the 1961-64 H & B labeling period, there are approximately 50 orders documented in Maris' records, totaling over 225 bats. Of those orders, only two orders, totaling 12 bats, were for model O16 (35 in / 33, 35 oz). Maris' documented use of model O16 was most prominent between 1956 and 1960.

2) The common weight for Maris during this period was 31 to 33 ounces, with only one order documented at 35 ounces.

Basically, while this is clearly a team index bat, and is stated as such by the seller, (although the auction title states "Roger Maris Game Used Bat,") the characteristics of this bat (model, length, and weight) do not compare favorably with the documented records of Maris' historic 1961 season or the 1961-64 H & B labeling period..

A search on GUU for 'team index bats' will provide alot of useful information. A note was sent to the seller, who replied with the following information:

"thanks for the information, I am not trying to mislead anyone here... I think I provided much more information than most sellers would. I only have the shipping records of HOF members, so I figure describing this as ordered by the Yankees should suffice. Your estimate of Maris potentially using this bat is equally underestimated in my opinion as selecting a bat from the bat rack in the 60s was not the science it is today, imo. thanks for the ordering info, I'll use it to better describe the listing. thanks!"

It is nice to have a seller be receptive to information provided, and with the But It Now price being in line with the previously noted MEARS sale, the pricing of the bat is consistent with an established level.

Mike jackitout7@aol.com

The subject bat can be found at http://cgi.ebay.com/ROGER-MARIS-GAME-USED-BAT-1961-1964-016-LVS-YANKEES-/280533482915?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&ha sh=item4151193da3