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]

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

[3arod13]

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]

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]

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

[CollectGU]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Thanks, Tony