need opinion on McGwire bat

[devintolly]

can anybody tell me if this bat is legit?






was told it is either from 98 or 99

[TNTtoys]

The bat you have photographed is a 1998-2008 Rawlings professional model. It's definitely not a 1998 due to the font in which McGwire's name is printed on the barrel. You can find out what year it is from rather easily by the markings on the knob.

That said, the bat does not look like it was used by McGwire at all, although it looks like his signature. The biggest red flag is the lack of pine tar on the handle and the centerbrand. Big Mac's bats were prepped for use with thick pine tar in the center as well as the handle. In fact, game issued bats should have these characteristics as well.

Personally, I would stop there. It's his model bat with his signature; however, it was not prepared for his use. Any use on the bat is very likely not his.

[jsage]

The 1998 game bats I have seen from McGwire are stamped on the bottom of the handle with year and MAC 25

[TNTtoys]

The 1998 game bats I have seen from McGwire are stamped on the bottom of the handle with year and MAC 25

All of Mac's bats from this era are the "MAC 25" model. How you could tell a bat is from 1998 (which this one is not) is by the year and batch stamp on the knob.

Attached is a photo of the knob of my '99 McGwire bat. Notice the model number "MAC 25" atop the year and batch -- "99" (for 1999) and batch 239:

[devintolly]

thanks for your help guys