1996 Alex Rodriguez Game Used & Signed HR #15 Bat

[3arod13]

I’m curious to know if anyone has seen an earlier documented Alex Rodriguez Game Used & Signed Home Run (#15) Bat than this one. This bat has solid documentation from Alex Rodriguez (AROD Authentic), SCD Authentic, PSA/DNA, and also a letter from the Rawlings/Adirondack company verifying that this model bat (460B) was made for Alex Rodriguez in 1996, with only 12 being made.

Rawlings Letter: Per your email dated April 21, 2006, you have inquired about the following Rawlings/Adirondack Model 460B, Alex Rodriguez game model bat. Per our records, 12 bats of this style were made for Mr. Rodriguez during the 1996 season. Bill Steele, Professional Bat Operations Specialist

PSA/DNA Letter: Alex Rodriguez 1996 Rawlings Signed Home Run #15 Bat. Offered is what we believe to be the earliest documented Alex Rodriguez home run bat. This bat was used by Rodriguez to hit his 15th home run of the season (20th of his career) in 1996, his first full season in the Majors. The black Rawlings 34-1/2 oz. bat is composed of top grade white ash and features the name “Alex Rodriguez” stamped on the barrel in white black letters. The model number (460B), as well as the batch code (149) and year code (96) are stamped on the knob. All of the manufacturer’s stampings remain distinct and well defined. Rodriguez has inscribed the bat in sliver Sharpie (“10”) on the sweet spot of the barrel, “Alex Rodriguez – HR#15 – 1996.” The bat is uncracked and displays heavy game use throughout including a number of deep ball marks on the barrel and pine tar on the handle. The bat is accompanied by an LOA (signed by Rodriguez) from Arod Authenticated which reads, “I, Alex Rodriguez, hereby verify that this 460 Black Rawlings was the bat that I used on June 25, 1996 when I hit my 15th home run of the season, which was my 20th career home run. This home run was hit against the Toronto blue Jays off of Erik Hanson.” Prior to its consignment, this bat was submitted to SCD Authentic and received a grade of A10. A corresponding hologram sticker appears on the end of the barrel. Additional LOA’s from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic, and James Spence & Steve Grad/PSADNA.

Arod Authentic Letter: “I, Alex Rodriguez, hereby verify that this 460 Black Rawlings was the bat that I used on June 25, 1996 when I hit my 15th home run of the season, which was my 20th career home run. This home run was hit against the Toronto blue Jays off of Erik Hanson.”

Baseball Almanac: Click on this link to see the box score for this game between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jay on 25 June 1996. The box score is an accurate record of events for the baseball contest played on June 25, 1996 at Skydome, and reflects Alex Rodriguez hitting his #15th Home Run of the season off of Erik Hanson in the 5th inning, with 2 on and 0 out.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-...d=199606250TOR

E–Hitchcock (1). DP–Seattle 1, Toronto 1. 2B–Seattle Amaral (6,off Hanson); Strange (3,off Risley), Toronto Delgado (16,off Hitchcock). HR–Seattle Rodriguez (15,5th inning off Hanson 2 on, 0 out), Toronto T Perez (1,2nd inning off Hitchcock 2 on, 2 out); Brumfield (7,9th inning off Charlton 1 on, 1 out). SH–R Perez (2,off Hitchcock). HBP–O'Brien (12,by Hitchcock). WP–Hanson 2 (5). HBP–Hitchcock (4,O'Brien). U–Dale Scott, Al Clark, (none), Brian O'Nora. T–2:50. A–31,420.

Email: arod13tb@yahoo.com

[3arod13]

Re: 1996 Alex Rodriguez Game Used & Signed HR #15 Bat

Actually, he hit career HR #20 with this bat, HR #15 for 1996.

[3arod13]

Re: 1996 Alex Rodriguez Game Used & Signed HR #15 Bat

I realize being an early HR game used signed bat makes this a rare bat. But being that there were only 12 bats made for Arod of this model, does that contribute to it being even that much more rarer?

[3arod13]

Estimated Value of Game Used HR Bat

Forum,

Looking for an estimated value of my Alex Rodriguez 1996 Rawling Game Used #15 Home Run Bat. I was told the estimated value is $1,500. I have to believe that is pretty low for this HR bat.

Document:

SCD LOA (Graded A10)
PSA LOA
AROD Authentic LOA (Stating who he hit the HR off, verified by box score)
Rawlings LOA (Stating Arod ordered only 12 bats of this model in 1996)

Not looking to sell it. Just looking for your thoughts on an estimated value. Yes, I do know that it's also worth whatever someone is willing to pay.

Thanks! Tony

[CollectGU]

Re: Estimated Value of Game Used HR Bat

$1,500 - $2,500....

[CollectGU]

Re: Estimated Value of Game Used HR Bat

Leland's sold 3 HR bats all LVS of Arod as follows:

1999 Bat- $1,900
2000 Bat - 1,726
1998 Bat- $1,800


Hope this info. helps.

Regards,
Dave

[3arod13]

Re: Estimated Value of Game Used HR Bat

Leland's sold 3 HR bats all LVS of Arod as follows:

1999 Bat- $1,900
2000 Bat - 1,726
1998 Bat- $1,800


Hope this info. helps.

Regards,
Dave

Dave, It does, thanks! I would think considering this bat is a Rawlings (more LVS' out there than Rawlings used by Arod), and with a letter from Rawlings stating only 12 bats ordered by arod, would demand a premium price than the above.

[ironmanfan]

Re: Estimated Value of Game Used HR Bat

Since it appears as if you purchased this bat within the past couple years, I would think that whatever you paid for it would be a pretty good indication as to the value (I really don't think ARod items have gone up in value that much during that time period...if at all).

[3arod13]

Photo match help for Arod 1996 Gamer

I searched every photo website I could find, looking for a photo of arod using this Rawlings bat that was used in a game against the New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays on 25 June 1996.

Thanks, Tony

[3arod13]

Re: Photo match help for Arod 1996 Gamer

Tough to find many photo's from 1996. However, there may be some websites I'm not familiar with.

Thanks, Tony

[Carlevv]

Re: Photo match help for Arod 1996 Gamer

Still looking for a picture of Arod's first HR. Anyone?

[3arod13]

$50 for anyone who can photomatch my 1996 Alex Rodriguez Home Run #15 (20th career) Bat

I will pay $50 to the first person that can find me a photomatch for my arod bat. It must be a 100% photomatch. I have searched and searched, but 1996 pictures are very little.

Good luck!

Regards, Topy

[Yankwood]

Re: $50 for anyone who can photomatch my 1996 Alex Rodriguez Home Run #15 (20th career) Bat

I believe this is a pretty good match. I'll take that in cash.

[bscott]

Re: $50 for anyone who can photomatch my 1996 Alex Rodriguez Home Run #15 (20th career) Bat

This is an intersting post. An offer of money to "photomatch" a game used sports item.

hmm...

The Future is... Photomatching?

I have been thinking about the future of the game used sports authentication business. From information I have gathered reading posts on GUU, it appears that Mears and PSA/DNA do mostly competent work, and, although I've never met the guy, there seems to be abundant evidence that an authenticator named Lou Lampson does questionable work at best. In between the good and bad authenticators, there are many companies that proclaim to authenticate game used sports items. Either way, there seems to be a missing component to all of their authentication services: photomatching.

It seems that a natural progression of the authentication business might result in an authentication service that specializes in "Photomatching." While not foolproof, photomatched game used items offer the collector tangible evidence that their item is actually game used. Further, I believe that photomatched game used items will carry a premium in value if they are photomatched. I know this is only one example, but I noticed that a photomatched Gary Sheffield game used bat that recently sold on ebay for $436.00, when nearly identical game used Sheffield bats have sold for nearly half of that price. (the bat was also photomatched to a day when Sheff hit a home run.. against Boston.. so there are other variables in the high hammer price.)

I am aware that photomatching does have its drawbacks, most notably the lack of photos, films and videos available to match vintage game used items. The science of examining nicks, chips, paint marks, stains, rips, tears, ball/seam marks, pinstripes, seams, stitches and buttons in photographs and comparing them to ones seen on actual items like uniforms/jerseys and baseball bats often ends in inconclusivity. Further, photomatching will undoubtedly have many unforeseen drawbacks, and I'm sure the day will come when a doctored photo is discovered to be an accessory to/culprit of a game used item scam.

I do not have any interest in starting a company that specializes in the photomatching of game used sports items, but if anyone does, the domain name "photomatchsports.com" is available to buy.
Just a thought. Maybe there's a better name.

I would like to add that photomatching seems like a solid way for authenticators (Mears, PSA/DNA) to back up their analyses, especially regarding modern items. The proliferation of digital cameras (cell phones, high-def cameras, etc.) will make the task of photomatching items increasingly easier in the near future. Getty Images is a great starting point, but think of the thousands of other photographs that exist. One case in point: think of the camera flashes that went off when Barry Bonds was swinging for 756.


The capitalist in me knows and accepts the following:
As a collector, I would pay a premium for an item that is photomatched.
As a collector who uses (and pays for) authentication services, I would pay a premium to have a game used piece "photomatched."
If I were a dealer, I would want to obtain photomatches for items I am selling, knowing that photomatched items may sell for more money.

So why is photomatching not more predominant in the Game Used Universe?

Until now, Photomatching is done primarily, if not exclusively, by collectors. And it is time-consuming work. So if anyone out there wants to accept the challenge, photomatching game used sports items could be a lucrative business that helps verify the key component of these sports items we all cherish.

By the way, I couldn't find a photomatch for your A-rod bat.
For $100 bucks, I might look a little harder, though...
For $200 bucks, I'll find a match in 48 hours...

See what I mean?

-bscott.

[staindsox]

Re: $50 for anyone who can photomatch my 1996 Alex Rodriguez Home Run #15 (20th career) Bat

Tony, you should contact the Seattle Times. They very well may have what you are looking for. You could also see if Seattle or Washington has a historical society. I'm sure they too may be able to help you. I am sure finding a photo of that homerun is very do-able...whether or not you can photomatch from it is another question. Good luck.

Chris