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Tony Gwynn was statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year career (1982–2001) for the San Diego Padres. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 9, 2007 .Gwynn made a name for himself by being one of the most consistent contact hitters in the history of the game – unbelievably he struck out only 434 times in 9,288 career at-bats, and never batted below .309 in any full season, although he hit .289 in his rookie season. Between 1984 and 1997 he won eight batting titles, tying him with Rogers Hornsby for the most ever by a National League player. In 1994 Gwynn batted .394, the highest batting average in the National League since Bill Terry hit .401 in 1930 and the highest in the majors since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Had the 1994 season not been shortened by a strike, Gwynn would have had the chance to become the first batter to eclipse the magical .400 mark in more than 50 years. In the end, Gwynn fell three hits short of the .400 mark in the shortened season.
This is a Tony Gwynn rookie era (1982-83) game-used professional model baseball bat manufactured by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company. It is a signature model with Gwynn's name stamped in script on the barrel as he had an endorsement contract with the company at the time of manufacture. This bat has what is commonly referred to as 1980-83 era labeling, however is specific to shipments to Tony Gwynn in 1982 and 1983. The Model Number K55 is stamped into barrel of this bat. The bat has a hickory finish. It measures 33.5 inches in length and currently weighs approximately 31 ounces. A review of Gwynn's personal Hillerich & Bradsby factory shipping records during this period documents two orders of model K55 bats specifically matching the dimensions (35.5 inches / 31 ounces) and finish (hickory) of this bat. Those orders were shipped to Gwynn on 8/28/82 and 2/9/83.
The faded number 19 is evident on the knob of this bat, written in white marker. Gwynn wore uniform number 19 throughout his career with the Padres, into his final season, 2001. This bat exhibits a significant number of game use characteristics, including cleat marks, hit marks and ball marks (most below the label.) There is very slight evidence of checking above the label, opposite of the primary hitting area. This bat appears uncracked but had a very slight crack in the handle approximately ten inches from the knob. The crack has been expertly repaired and is virtually undetectable, giving this bat an outstanding display quality.
Tony Gwynn has signed this bat on the sweet spot in silver Sharpie. The signature is a full five inches in length and rates a solid "10" in quality. This is an opportunity to obtain a great bat, documented in H & B shipping records, from the rookie era (first two seasons) of Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn. It is unlikely that you will ever have the opportunity to obtain an earlier Tony Gwynn bat. View Lot Detail page
This is a Tony Gwynn rookie era (1982-83) game-used professional model baseball bat manufactured by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company. It is a signature model with Gwynn's name stamped in script on the barrel as he had an endorsement contract with the company at the time of manufacture. This bat has what is commonly referred to as 1980-83 era labeling, however is specific to shipments to Tony Gwynn in 1982 and 1983. The Model Number K55 is stamped into barrel of this bat. The bat has a hickory finish. It measures 33.5 inches in length and currently weighs approximately 31 ounces. A review of Gwynn's personal Hillerich & Bradsby factory shipping records during this period documents two orders of model K55 bats specifically matching the dimensions (35.5 inches / 31 ounces) and finish (hickory) of this bat. Those orders were shipped to Gwynn on 8/28/82 and 2/9/83.
The faded number 19 is evident on the knob of this bat, written in white marker. Gwynn wore uniform number 19 throughout his career with the Padres, into his final season, 2001. This bat exhibits a significant number of game use characteristics, including cleat marks, hit marks and ball marks (most below the label.) There is very slight evidence of checking above the label, opposite of the primary hitting area. This bat appears uncracked but had a very slight crack in the handle approximately ten inches from the knob. The crack has been expertly repaired and is virtually undetectable, giving this bat an outstanding display quality.
Tony Gwynn has signed this bat on the sweet spot in silver Sharpie. The signature is a full five inches in length and rates a solid "10" in quality. This is an opportunity to obtain a great bat, documented in H & B shipping records, from the rookie era (first two seasons) of Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn. It is unlikely that you will ever have the opportunity to obtain an earlier Tony Gwynn bat. View Lot Detail page