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A first ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1979, Willie Mays was a true 'five-tool' player who was unequaled at the skill level he exhibited throughout his career. While statistics only hint at his true greatness, along the way Mays won a Rookie of the Year Award (1951), a batting title (1954), four Home Run Crowns, two Most Valuable Player Awards (1954, 1965), and a World Championship (1954). He finished his Hall of Fame career as a member of both the 3.000 Hit Club and the 500 HR Club.
For years, Willie Mays used the All Star Game as his personal showcase. He was an All Star every year after he returned from military service in 1954, playing in 24 All Star games in 20 years, setting records for At Bats, Hits, Runs, Extra Base hits, Triples, and Stolen Bases.
On July 10, 1962 the first of two All Star games was played in Washington D.C. In attendance was President John F. Kennedy, who threw out the first ball. One of the bat boys in that game was ten-year-old Greg Taylor, a bat boy for the hometown Washington Senators in 1962, 1963, 1969 and 1970. As fate would have it, this was one game where Mays did not shine. He was hitless with one walk in four at bats. After the game Mays gave the bat to Taylor, , who documented the bat on the barrel in blue ball point pen as follows:
All Star Game at D.C. StadiumJuly 10, 1962N.L. Wins 3=1MVP Maury Wills
Willie Mays 0-3Fly Out in firstWalk in thirdFly Out in sixthFly Out in eighth
Greggie T.bat boy
Greg Taylor remained in the sports memorabilia hobby for many years afterward, becoming a noted collector of Atlanta Braves memorabilia, Washington Senators memorabilia, and vintage baseball bats. This bat has remained in his family since acquisition.
This bat measures 35 inches in length and weighs approximately 34 ounces. The number 24 is written on the knob in vintage black marker. Also appearing on the knob is a pencil notation of 33 ½ , indicating the weight of the bat at the time of shipment. The bat was manufactured by Adirondack, and exhibits labeling characteristic of the 1961-1967 period. The model number 282C is stamped into the knob – while not as common as Adirondack A and B series models of the era, Adirondack C series bats are documented as used in Major league games and have been found in player's personal collections. This bat matches known examples of Mays professional model bats of the period in model, length, and weight. This bat exhibits pine tar remnants on the handle, approximately 14 inches from the knob, with blue/green rack marks and hit marks in evidence. This bat does not have the All Star legend in the labeling – it is a regular season bat, attesting to some players' use of their own bats in the All Star Game rather than the special labeled bats.
Willie Mays has autographed this bat in black Sharpie on the sweet spot. The 3 ½ inch signature is perfect – clear and unhurried.
This bat is accompanied by vintage photographs showing Mr. Taylor at the All Star reception (with D. Murtaugh, D. Donovan and F. Frick) and on the field (with announcer B. McColgan) in uniform, a 1962 All Star Game field pass for the on-field activities (with his name on the reverse), a Letter of Provenance from his family, and a hand-written note card from Mr. Taylor. The note card states:
"Willie Mays Adirondack Baseball Bat model 2820 (sic0. 35" – 34 oz – uncracked with good use by Willie. Bat was used in All Star Game @ DC Stadium in 1962. After game given to me by Willie as he thought it brought him bad luck. Years later he signed it @ Cracker Jack Old Timers Game @ RFK 1982."
This is an opportunity to acquire a professional model bat used by New York / San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays during the early 1960's. Although the bat does not contain specific All Star Game markings associated with bats made directly for this special event, attribution to Mays' use in the Summer Classic is suggested by the source, one of the visiting clubhouse bat boys for the 1962 All Star Game, who acquired the bat following the game. View Lot Detail page
For years, Willie Mays used the All Star Game as his personal showcase. He was an All Star every year after he returned from military service in 1954, playing in 24 All Star games in 20 years, setting records for At Bats, Hits, Runs, Extra Base hits, Triples, and Stolen Bases.
On July 10, 1962 the first of two All Star games was played in Washington D.C. In attendance was President John F. Kennedy, who threw out the first ball. One of the bat boys in that game was ten-year-old Greg Taylor, a bat boy for the hometown Washington Senators in 1962, 1963, 1969 and 1970. As fate would have it, this was one game where Mays did not shine. He was hitless with one walk in four at bats. After the game Mays gave the bat to Taylor, , who documented the bat on the barrel in blue ball point pen as follows:
All Star Game at D.C. StadiumJuly 10, 1962N.L. Wins 3=1MVP Maury Wills
Willie Mays 0-3Fly Out in firstWalk in thirdFly Out in sixthFly Out in eighth
Greggie T.bat boy
Greg Taylor remained in the sports memorabilia hobby for many years afterward, becoming a noted collector of Atlanta Braves memorabilia, Washington Senators memorabilia, and vintage baseball bats. This bat has remained in his family since acquisition.
This bat measures 35 inches in length and weighs approximately 34 ounces. The number 24 is written on the knob in vintage black marker. Also appearing on the knob is a pencil notation of 33 ½ , indicating the weight of the bat at the time of shipment. The bat was manufactured by Adirondack, and exhibits labeling characteristic of the 1961-1967 period. The model number 282C is stamped into the knob – while not as common as Adirondack A and B series models of the era, Adirondack C series bats are documented as used in Major league games and have been found in player's personal collections. This bat matches known examples of Mays professional model bats of the period in model, length, and weight. This bat exhibits pine tar remnants on the handle, approximately 14 inches from the knob, with blue/green rack marks and hit marks in evidence. This bat does not have the All Star legend in the labeling – it is a regular season bat, attesting to some players' use of their own bats in the All Star Game rather than the special labeled bats.
Willie Mays has autographed this bat in black Sharpie on the sweet spot. The 3 ½ inch signature is perfect – clear and unhurried.
This bat is accompanied by vintage photographs showing Mr. Taylor at the All Star reception (with D. Murtaugh, D. Donovan and F. Frick) and on the field (with announcer B. McColgan) in uniform, a 1962 All Star Game field pass for the on-field activities (with his name on the reverse), a Letter of Provenance from his family, and a hand-written note card from Mr. Taylor. The note card states:
"Willie Mays Adirondack Baseball Bat model 2820 (sic0. 35" – 34 oz – uncracked with good use by Willie. Bat was used in All Star Game @ DC Stadium in 1962. After game given to me by Willie as he thought it brought him bad luck. Years later he signed it @ Cracker Jack Old Timers Game @ RFK 1982."
This is an opportunity to acquire a professional model bat used by New York / San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays during the early 1960's. Although the bat does not contain specific All Star Game markings associated with bats made directly for this special event, attribution to Mays' use in the Summer Classic is suggested by the source, one of the visiting clubhouse bat boys for the 1962 All Star Game, who acquired the bat following the game. View Lot Detail page
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