1989 Canseco Game Bat on Ebay

[JasonM33]

Re: 1989 Canseco Game Bat on Ebay

At this point I think you have to say it's the real deal. Canseco labeled it as the home run bat. A trusted authenticator like John Taube thinks it's the real deal. The use and inscription are exactly how it should look. So, it's real unless Canseco is either mistaken or lying. Those two senarios are possible I doubt that's the case.

I'd feel better about it if the LOA from Canseco was an original instead of a copy. The dvd screen cap from the highlight video gave me a little bit of doubt. However, I know for a fact that they edit those highlight videos with closeups from different at bats. They did in the 1988 video. Also the person in blue behind him in the close up seems not to be there in the wide shot.

Bottom line. There is no conclusive evidence proving that it isn't the bat nor is any likely to surface. The only way to prove that it is the bat with 100% certainty is to photomatch it. I doubt we'll ever be able to photomatch it but you never know.

The only other things I can think of is to.......

A. Talk to Canseco himself about the bat if possible

B. Try to get our hands on a tape of game three in it's entirety exactly as it aired in 1989 and see what we can find.

That's my 2 cents worth.

-Jason M

[CansecoPower33]

Re: 1989 Canseco Game Bat on Ebay

As of now, I don't think the status of your bat should be affected in any way by the bat on ebay. There is, or was, no home run inscription on that bat, no claim by the seller that it was the home run bat from Game 3, and no more evidence to support it being so. Your bat is the only one we know of that comes with Canseco's home run inscription. I can't say I like the sharp "33" on the knob of the ebay bat either, whether that makes much difference. Between that bat and yours, I'd have more faith in yours being the 89 home run bat.

Still, you're left in a somewhat uneasy position, despite John Taube's reassurances. I understand he has good standing within the collecting community, but his response doesn't help put this case to rest. It's simply not enough to point to the photos on Getty and the bat inscription, and say that the bat is unquestionably the home run bat. That leaves too much doubt in the mind, and we enter the area of likelihood and probability.

Considering the importance of the game, I find it hard to believe there are no photographic records of that home run. Jason suggests attempting to obtain the full broadcast of the game, which may go some ways to providing the evidence needed. My secondary suggestion would be to contact the various agencies and newpapers covering the game. I don't know how cooperative they'd be, but there has to be photos of the at bat and home run. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but it's worth a shot.

How good is your relationship with Jose? If he's willing, definitely ask for his help.

[Canseco44]

Re: 1989 Canseco Game Bat on Ebay

Thanks, I wasn't trying to prove that the ebay bat wasn't the homerun bat, I was just noting the simialarites between the two which are supposed to be from the same World Series. And I was trying to point out that not only the League Champion bats were used during that series. I tend to agree that my bat is the real deal but I cannot sale it and get a fair price for it on my beliefs, so it will probably remain in my collection. I am still waiting to hear from Ames or Canseco. I do have many more bats that I may soon sale so if anyone has anything specific they are looking for let me know. Thanks to everyone for their help. I am curious to see if the ebay bat will get a bid considering mine did not at under $1000. Happy New Year to everyone.


Todd

[CansecoPower33]

Re: 1989 Canseco Game Bat on Ebay

Considering your bat never got a bid at under 1K, I don't see this one getting any bids for that money, especially not at this time of year. I wish you all the best in finding the match - would make it a treasure.