Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

[Auction robot]

Albert Pujols has quickly become regarded as one of the best and most dangerous hitters in baseball today. On In 2008 he became the first player in baseball history to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first eight seasons. Since his debut in 2001, Pujols has won the Rookie of the Year Award (2001), the Most Valuable Player Award (2005), and a World Championship (2006.) In 2008, Albert finished in the top 5 of each Triple Crown category, batting .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs. This six-time St. Louis Cardinal All Star, with a current 8-year career batting average of .334 and 319 home runs, is certain to be one of baseball's best players for years to come.

This bat is one of the most documented Albert Pujols bats in the sports collectibles hobby. Sourced from the Pujols Family Foundation (PFF), it comes with a PFF Letter of Authenticity personally signed by Albert Pujols on 5/21/08. Additionally, Albert's signature on this bat is authenticated with documentation from Upper Deck Authenticated (hologram SHO38034.) Finally, the bat is specific to 9/01/07 Cardinals 11 - Reds 3) and bears a MLB hologram (562645BB) attesting to the acquisition of this bat on that date. In addition, a CD containing 96 images of the 9/1/07 game photo matches this bat in Albert's hands .

This bat was signed by Albert Pujols as noted above. The signature is in silver, and is approximately 2.5 inches in length. It is clear and unhurried, and rates a solid "10 out of 10" in grade.

This bat was manufactured by SAM BATS and is dated specifically to the 2007 season. It measures 34 inches in length and weighs approximately 32 ounces. This two-toned brown / black bat shows characteristic Pujols use patterns, including ball marks, hit marks, and light, if any, evidence of handle preparation. Pujols' uniform number 5 is displayed on the knob in characteristic fashion. The barrel label reads "JB1(S)SG1 / ALBERT PUJOLS / RIDEAU CRUSHER" with "St Louis Cardinals appearing on the sweet spot. In the cupped barrel end, typical SAM BAT notations show the following: "34" / 31.5 oz / 07-26-07 / JB1(S)SG1 / A.P." This bat was cracked in the third inning of the Reds – Cardinals game on 9/1/07. As a result, there is a piece of wood missing 4 inches from the handle and extending approximately 7 inches in length. The area is located on the handle side opposite of the labeling, and is not visible when this bat is displayed with the labeling and Pujols' signature outward.

Don't miss this opportunity to get a great game used bat from one of baseball's current top stars, Albert Pujols, as his game used equipment is becoming harder and harder to find within the hobby. View Lot Detail page

[wjonesIII]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

Albert Pujols has quickly become regarded as one of the best and most dangerous hitters in baseball today. On In 2008 he became the first player in baseball history to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first eight seasons. Since his debut in 2001, Pujols has won the Rookie of the Year Award (2001), the Most Valuable Player Award (2005), and a World Championship (2006.) In 2008, Albert finished in the top 5 of each Triple Crown category, batting .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs. This six-time St. Louis Cardinal All Star, with a current 8-year career batting average of .334 and 319 home runs, is certain to be one of baseball's best players for years to come.

This bat is one of the most documented Albert Pujols bats in the sports collectibles hobby. Sourced from the Pujols Family Foundation (PFF), it comes with a PFF Letter of Authenticity personally signed by Albert Pujols on 5/21/08. Additionally, Albert's signature on this bat is authenticated with documentation from Upper Deck Authenticated (hologram SHO38034.) Finally, the bat is specific to 9/01/07 Cardinals 11 - Reds 3) and bears a MLB hologram (562645BB) attesting to the acquisition of this bat on that date. In addition, a CD containing 96 images of the 9/1/07 game photo matches this bat in Albert's hands .

This bat was signed by Albert Pujols as noted above. The signature is in silver, and is approximately 2.5 inches in length. It is clear and unhurried, and rates a solid "10 out of 10" in grade.

This bat was manufactured by SAM BATS and is dated specifically to the 2007 season. It measures 34 inches in length and weighs approximately 32 ounces. This two-toned brown / black bat shows characteristic Pujols use patterns, including ball marks, hit marks, and light, if any, evidence of handle preparation. Pujols' uniform number 5 is displayed on the knob in characteristic fashion. The barrel label reads "JB1(S)SG1 / ALBERT PUJOLS / RIDEAU CRUSHER" with "St Louis Cardinals appearing on the sweet spot. In the cupped barrel end, typical SAM BAT notations show the following: "34" / 31.5 oz / 07-26-07 / JB1(S)SG1 / A.P." This bat was cracked in the third inning of the Reds – Cardinals game on 9/1/07. As a result, there is a piece of wood missing 4 inches from the handle and extending approximately 7 inches in length. The area is located on the handle side opposite of the labeling, and is not visible when this bat is displayed with the labeling and Pujols' signature outward.

Don't miss this opportunity to get a great game used bat from one of baseball's current top stars, Albert Pujols, as his game used equipment is becoming harder and harder to find within the hobby. View Lot Detail page

Does anyone else think the three holograms on the bat next to the signature look extremely tacky? It looks like a kid played with the bat and decorated it with a bunch of shiny stickers.

[bigtruck260]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

Agreed about the look of the bat - but for authenticity's sake, there is no better provenance than the PFF (Family Foundation) sticker...it is really big. If the item came with that paperwork alone, it would cover just about everything, including the sig.

Upper Deck is Albert's autograph agent though, and they oversee all of his signatures, so they need to be represented too...(I guess). Otherwise, it is one mean bat. The auto is perfect.

[salukidave]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

Does anyone else think the three holograms on the bat next to the signature look extremely tacky?

The placement of authenticity stickers on memorabilia is a total joke in the hobby.

[wjonesIII]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

The placement of authenticity stickers on memorabilia is a total joke in the hobby.

I though Albert's Foundation director was a collector? He couldn't have possibly though the hologram should be placed in such a distracting location could he? Imagine a Babe Ruth bat with a huge hologram where the foundation put this one! Albert's one of the best ever, and they are making his memorabilia look tacky like this? It's in bad taste IMO.

[Toddp2]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

Yes, I am a collector.

Right or wrong, there is a method to the “stickers” that are on each of the Pujols Family Foundation authenticated items. Please allow me to shed some light on the reasons:

1) When Albert gave the Foundation his 2007 Game Used inventory of bats last November, all but one of those bats were cracked. Four of the twelve bats had MLB stickers on them officially documenting the bat to the specific game where the bat was cracked. These stickers are applied by a MLB representative, in the Cardinals clubhouse almost instantly after the bat is retired. We have no control of where and how those holograms are applied.

2) Albert has a three-year, exclusive agreement with Upper Deck for his signed memorabilia. This deal has jurisdiction over any item that is sold, at retail or auction, bearing Albert’s signature. Any Game Used/Worn item offered by the PFF over the past year and a half, has been signed by Albert and authenticated by Upper Deck. UDA insists on placing their hologram as close to the actually signature as possible. The only exception to this rule I have seen is when UDA stickers our Game Worn batting gloves, they will place the hologram on the wrist band (because that is the only place it will stick).
We have no control where they place their holograms.

3) I do have control over where the PFF hologram is placed. So why would we sticker our bats with the PFF hologram right on the front?

Just spend a month with me at our office and you will quickly know why. We get a steady stream of e-mails and calls questioning items for sell at auction houses, eBay and by other collectors. 95% of those questions boil down to: ….“Is it real?”

I have stated this many, many times, and will do so again for he record: “I am not an authenticator!” And 90% of the time, my answer to the BIG question is “I don’t know.” Keep in mind, many of these people have just dropped thousands of dollars on a Pujols “Game Used” item…and when it comes to the actual authenticity of that item, the best they can do is hope.

So, why do we ‘tacky’ up the bats with our stickers? So when you see that PFF hologram on an Albert Pujols Game Used item, you can KNOW that the item is exactly as described. Even better, most of these items (as is the case with he bat offered here) come with a letter from Albert saying he did indeed use the bat in Major League play!

Sure, we can place the hologram on the back of he bat and that may be something that we consider down the road. But, we put them on the front to immediately dispel any doubts; This is the real deal! In a world of bad and suspect merchandise, this is by far the most important fact about your Albert Pujols Game Used item.

Bottom line, this is perhaps the best documented Pujols bat to EVER hit public auction… MLB, UDA and PFF authenticated, with a letter directly from Pujols and almost 100 photos matched images with this bat in his hands!
That’s the kind of ‘tacky’ I would want in my collection any day!

Peace,

Todd Perry
Executive Director, The Pujols Family Foundation

[shoremen44]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

Todd,
Thanks for the response and the insight...

guys... below is my Pujols bat... basically came with the same description of a CD of photos from the game... I was able to photomatch mine, and while I generally do not like stickers on the bats I have... with a CD worth of pictures to match a bat to... Much like me I don't the winner is going to mind all that much

[bigtruck260]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

To the buyer -

There you go. More provenance....

Just print out the page and include it with the bat.

For the record Todd - my suggestion is to make the PFF hologram narrower, or smaller if possible. The image on the current hologram is terrific, but it is one of the bulkier ones out there.

At one point, I had a signed PFF baseball, and the sticker looked HUGE on it.

Otherwise, thanks for all you do for the Pujols collectors out there. We appreciate it.

[allstarsplus]

Re: Albert Pujols 2007 SAM Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat (Pujols Foundation/MLB Auth)

To the buyer -

There you go. More provenance....

Just print out the page and include it with the bat.

For the record Todd - my suggestion is to make the PFF hologram narrower, or smaller if possible. The image on the current hologram is terrific, but it is one of the bulkier ones out there.

At one point, I had a signed PFF baseball, and the sticker looked HUGE on it.

Otherwise, thanks for all you do for the Pujols collectors out there. We appreciate it.

PFF isn't the only one with large holograms. I have seen many player holograms that are the size of a dime and are blue or red or green and really are an eyesore.

My thought for Todd is that if you have a MLB hologram for the game use and a UDA for the signature, you have the best of the best in authentication. Then you probably don't need a PFF hologram that you just should issue a PFF letter (LOA) stating the information and reference the hologram #'s from the MLB and UDA.