Wade Boggs Bat on Ebay

[zenithsports]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wade-Boggs-H...item23488e4510

I actually had previously purchased this bat and had to file a paypal claim to start the return.

Many concerns with the bat. Pine tar is incredibly, incredibly sticky. Almost like it was just put on in the last six months.

The ball marks were a mixture of dark blue and light blue ball marks. Basically a mixture of American League and major league baseballs.

My conclusions and opinions were it wasn't used by Boggs in the period, and despite the autograph, I wasn't comfortable that it was used by Boggs period.

[metsbats]

You don't see many legit 91-92 Boggs Red Sox game used bats out there.

Plenty of pre 1990 Red Sox, 1993-97 Yankee and 1998-99 Devil Ray bats though.

Just an observation.

[adambirenbaum]

I truly appreciate reading these type of threads. Very educational. If that observation is accurate about 1991-1992 GU bats, what do folks think of the following (I ask as I just got swept up in the auction frenzy and purchased it!):

http://sports.mearsonlineauctions.com/lot-84733.aspx

Thanks in advance,
Adam

[metsbats]

Adam

Just by going by the photos in the auction the bat seems legit.

This is based on the model number, location of the pine tar, presence of ball marks on the right side the bat, and green bat rack marks.

What is not show is the number on the knob and the way it was written.

Boggs wrote his number 26 in a particular way consistently throughout his career.

Of course the pine tar on this 22 to 23 year old bat should be dry to the touch unlike the bat on ebay.

David

[metsbats]

I also believe cracked Boggs gamers are very rare because he was such a great hitter he rarely would swing at bad pitches or got jammed.

[zenithsports]

Adam.

I loved that boggs gamer. Perfect boggs use characteristics with heavy clusters underneath the labeling. Looks just like my 96 WS year Boggs. I was one of the under bidders(prob drove your price up ....you got a great bat.

[metsbats]

Looking at the Mears photo the bat looks long enough to be a 34".

Can you measure it and let us know (as Ken suggested) what the actual length is ?

[earlywynnfan]

That MEARS bat, at least from the pics, doesn't appear to be cupped, so I believe it would need to be 34.5" to be legit.

To the OP: this is just my opinion, but when I see records where the same exact bat was available to the player and also to the public, I'd need some incredible provenance to want it in my collection. Too many Schultz's and Dolphinboys out there making gamers out of crap to ever feel safe. Boggs bats aren't that rare or costly, you might want to wait for a better model.

Troy at MEARS is excellent to talk to, he's a former collector himself. I'd suggest talking to him about this, see if he has any more insight as to why this bat was graded authentic when it doesn't match factory records.

Ken

By the way, I don't search ebay as much anymore; has Dolphinboy still been selling?

[zenithsports]

Certainly worth a discussion with Mears regarding the length for sure. But from an overall use perspective the Boggs characteristics look outstanding to my eye.

[Nnunnari]

The Mears bat is cupped and definitely looks legit. Mears is sloppy and frequently has typos with the model numbers, lengths etc. They were off by a number on the Frank Robinson model number.
I would be shocked if this Boggs bat is not legit, correct tar patterns on lower handle and concentration of ball marks on right barrel- I was an under bidder as well. Nice pick up!