Differently Named Bats

[Popinjaysnamesir]

I purchased an authenticated game used bat from the Rays. The bat was labeled with "Jake Lamb." I would imagine it's pretty common for players to try the bats of teammates, but I was surprised.

Any idea how common this is?

Is this perhaps the result of a player contacting a company and wanting to try a product so they send existing inventory as a sample?

[r_phelps]

It's actually pretty simple Jake Lamb traded bats with the Devil rays player who broke it. Could have traded in offseason, before a game, spring training, etc.

[Buccaneer Madden]

I would think its quite common. I have an Eddie Murray bat that was used by Chris Gwynn (Tony's little brother) when they were both with the Dodgers.

[Sulross]

It seems to be a pretty common practice. As one example, I almost bought a Pujols GU bat that had been auctioned in a "players' wives basket" on MLB.com. The date of manufacture was only about two months from the auction date so I tried to photomatch it. Turned out it had been used by Aybar who was regularly using Pujols' bats at the time.

[STLHAMMER32]

It seems to be a pretty common practice. As one example, I almost bought a Pujols GU bat that had been auctioned in a "players' wives basket" on MLB.com. The date of manufacture was only about two months from the auction date so I tried to photomatch it. Turned out it had been used by Aybar who was regularly using Pujols' bats at the time.

Then there was an MLB authenticated Aybar bat used by Pujols that popped up as well

[sox83cubs84]

I once saw a Davey Lopes Rawlings bat used in BP by Ryne Sandberg from when they were Cubs teammates.

Dave Miedema

[STLHAMMER32]

It's really common for other players to try different bats....players are always looking for a slight edge whether it's a better feel, little more pop...players try other players bats for a number of reasons. Sometimes to breakout of a slump, sometimes to try a different model, weight, length...etc.

I would estimate that on average every player in the league has likely at one time or another used a model that wasn't their own. There's a thread here actually with photos of players using other players bats and I'm sure there is plenty we could update it with now....

[BirdsOnBat]

Fisk was using a Burleson bat when he hit the homerun at Fenway.

[sox83cubs84]

In 1966, Tony Cloninger used a Denis Menke bat when he hit 2 grand slams in one game for the Braves. I saw the bat on display at the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Dave M.

[Oriolesfan29]

Jonathan Schoop of the Orioles last year used almost exclusively other players bats. I saw him at least use Manny Machado models, Adam Jones models, and even Delmon Young as well. It does happen a lot. This year hes used almost exclusively his own bats but every brand under the sun including Louisville Slugger, Marucci, Rawlings, and Victus. Makes it hard to collect every brand or style he has used as a collector.