Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to provide an update on the Braun bat. Based on the information posted in this thread, we went back to the person from whom we received the bat to try to determine more information about the history of the bat. According to the person from whom we received the bat, the bat had multiple owners before it was received by us. Specifically, the person from whom we received the bat acquired it from someone else in the same condition that it is now in. According to that same source, the original owner of the bat, who received the bat directly from Ryan Braun himself, did remove a personalization on the inscription. Again, as per Mike's post above, there is no apparent visible evidence of the removed personalization. This is based on Mike's physical inspection of the bat with the bat in hand. I know someone posted that they think the can see faded letters in the image but I think Mike's assessment based on physically having the bat in hand is more accurate.

Based on that information, we have gone back and updated the item description to include the information about the personalization part of the autograph inscription. We have also updated the description to note that Braun does typically use Sam bats in games although there is verifiable photographic evidence via Getty Images of him using blond Louisville Slugger M9s in games as well. We have also noted Braun does use Louisville Slugger bats in BP so it is difficult to determine how much use on this bat can be attributable to BP and how much can be attributable to actual game use.

In addition, we are going to contact both the current high bidder on the item as well as the under-bidder to make sure they are aware of this information. Given the updated information in the description, we will give them the opportunity to retract their bids if they chose to do so given the update.

I also want to thank everyone who participated on this thread. I think it is great that we have a mechanism like this where information can be shared about a specific item and the description can be updated to make sure potential bidders understand everything about that item before bidding. In this case, given the lack of visible evidence of the removed personalization, it likely would not have been known without the posting of the person who physically witnessed Braun handing the bat to the original owner. I think it's great that the system can work as it did here. It confirms in my mind that this format is of great benefit to the process.

Again, thanks to everyone who participated on this thread. Your input is much appreciated.

[GoTigers]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

My questions about this bat are:

Ryan Braun uses a Black Sam bat in the vast majority of his at bats, however there is photographic evidence of Braun using a blonde M9 in two games. (Getty# 82292596 vs. Cubs, and #81256297 vs. Pirates). However, all images of Braun in Batting Practice show him using a blonde M9 (Getty #81866038,81246114).

This, coupled with the fact that Braun Game Used Bats are extremely rare leads me to my first question: What are the odds that one of the very few Braun bats to make it to market, is one of the very rare game used M9's??

I have never seen a Braun bat with a general inscription such as "all the best" make it to market. I have either seen a "G.U" inscription, or no inscription at all. Was this bat presented to someone? Was this inscription added at a fan day/show or other later date? How was this inscription obtained?

How was the bat itself obtained? Since this bat was probably used this season, I would imagine that it has had only 1-2 owners. Is it possible to track down the original owner and ask how it was obtained? Is the cosigner the original owner? Was it purchased from a dealer? Given to someone from Braun? The history of the bat should not be too hard to track given the rarity, and age of the bat.

- Braun rarely uses a blonde M9's in games
- Braun does use blonde M9's in BP
- There is no provenance that this bat was used in a game and not in BP
- There is no G.U. inscription that Braun has used in the past.

I find it very hard to believe that GUU is marketing this bat as "game used". Why should anyone believe that this is not a BP M9, when that is more likely?? This bat AT LEAST deserves a disclaimer that it may have been used in BP.

I would like to know what makes GUU believe this bat in one of the VERY RARE M9's used in game. The burden of proof should be on the auction house.

[yanks12025]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

It kinda looks like there are letters but very faded but that may be my eyes playing games with me.

[MSpecht]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Here is a photo of the area immediately above the inscription "All the best." The photo was taked this morning (10/4) and accurately represents the bat in its current condition and as it was received by GUU. If there was apparent visual evidence that a personalization had been removed, that aspect of the bat would have been researched before the auction began, and before the bat was posted. In the absence of such evidence (see Chris' post # 7 above,) that was not an issue in the authentication of this bat.

[yanks12025]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Chris,
Where is the Goose Gossage Bullpen jacket that was on the list you posted about 2 weeks ago. Thanks

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Honestly, the first time I saw this bat, I was suprised to see a "game used" M9..Since Braun uses a black Sam Bat most of the time.

There are some honest questions about this bat, I think the admin. should ask some more questions of the owner besides "was there an inscription removed?" That seems obvious to me.

Hello James,

I am getting some more information regarding the signature inscription and will post it later. As for your quote above regarding the bats Braun uses, I think you are correct that he does use a black Sam bat most of the time. However, here is an image number from the Getty Images website that shows an in-game photo of Braun where it seems pretty clear he is using a blond Louisville Slugger M9 bat (you can click on the image to enlarge it once it comes up):

Image #82292596

Again, I will follow-up on the autograph question but I think there is clearly a precedent of Braun using an M9. Also, if the original post stating Braun gave the bat directly to someone is true, I'm not sure what else needs to be asked besides a clarification of the signature inscription. Is there something else I'm missing?

[GoTigers]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Since the Admin. is obviously still in touch with the owner of the bat. I'd like to know the story behind it. Honestly, the first time I saw this bat, I was suprised to see a "game used" M9..Since Braun uses a black Sam Bat most of the time.

There are some honest questions about this bat, I think the admin. should ask some more questions of the owner besides "was there an inscription removed?" That seems obvious to me.

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Since Mike currently has the bat, I will ask him to see if he can post a close-up on that area. In addition, as mentioned above, I will follow-up with the person from whom the bat was received to see if the signature had a personalization. Again, if there was one it isn't showing up visibly on the bat now.

Honestly, most of the bat collectors I know are buying a bat for the bat and not the signature. Even so, the signature does seem to be an authentic Braun signature. As such, we really didn't focus on trying to determine if there was a personalization on the signature that was removed when there doesn't appear to be any visible evidence that there was one. Is that unreasonable?

[As2533]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Is there any way you could post a picture that focuses on the area above the "all the best?" I don't know at what point or by whom the personalization was removed but I know it was there having seen Ryan actually sign the bat.

[ChrisCavalier]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

WOW! I'm curious myself about this. If this is true, thats shady business to not disclose this.

I can assure you there is nothing 'shady' going on. The bat was evaluated and written up in the exact condition it was received. I asked Mike Specht (who did the write-up) to go back and see if there is any visible evidence on the bat of the removal of a personalization. Here is his response:

I could find no evidence of the removal of a personalization--- neither could [my daughter] or 3 of her 15 yr old friends (with their 15 yr old eyes)---i used magnification and red and blue light sources---plus there is no "break" in the wear, dirt, stains, etc exhibited on this bat that you would expect with the removal of a personalization---especially medium tip Sharpie and especially if you figure that a personalization was likely the same size as the "ALL THE BEST" which is pretty large--(3/4 inch high and 3.25 inch long).

Again, that is the exact condition of the bat currently and the exact condition as when we received it. Said another way, the current signature shows no evidence of a personalization. I will ask the person from whom the bat was received if there was a personalization on the signature and will provide any update. If there was a personalization it certainly isn't showing now.

One last point. We created the format for our auctions so potential buyers can ask any and all questions they like to make sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions about the items they purchase. We designed the system so that every question can be answered and, as such, you can tell empirically that there isn't anything we are trying to hide. If there is more information about an item than we know or could determine, we want the system to make sure that information is provided and disclosed. As such, I think it is self-evident from the system we designed that our goal is to disclose everything possible to help people make informed decisions and there is nothing 'shady' about anything we do.

[SkubeBats]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Hello,
I was the first person to place a bid on this Braun bat. I'm glad now that I was outbid on it. I think Admin. should do more research on the items they have in the auction. I'm verry disapointed in the way they researched this bat. It would be nice to see one auction house have an auction without any problems. Thanks for the heads up on the bat, now I won't waste another bid on it.
Thanks,
Jamie
jlschultz180@wi.rr.com

[GoTigers]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Wow... All I can say is that I am very disappointed.. I was going to bid very high on that bat. One of the few items I wanted from this auction. Now I probably wont bid at all.. on anything. I guess its all up to the members to do homework, not admin. Very weak... I'd LOVE for ONE auction house to do their own homework.

[whatupyos]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

WOW! I'm curious myself about this. If this is true, thats shady business to not disclose this.

[As2533]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

Again I saw this bat used by Braun during BP in San Francisco this year and handed out to a guy next to me by the dugout. The bat originally had a personalization above "all the best." I'm curious to see how well this was removed as the current photos hide it.
There is good photo of Braun with this bat during BP on Getty images. July 8th.

[As2533]

Re: Ryan Braun 2007-08 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Used, Autographed Bat

This exact bat was handed out to a kid next to me by the dugout in San Francisco. I was him holding the bat and there definitely was a personalization. Show close up above all the best and this will be clear.