American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

[suave1477]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

Byergo I have to play devils advocate on this one but I do agree with CollectGU. First of all PSA/DNA is not going to call you, you have to call them.

Is it possible the bat they have might be a Batting Practice bat?

If not give them hell!!! But find out first!!!

[Yankwood]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

You know what I think? I think this whole "batting practice means game used" crap we're hearing all the time now is exactly that. I guess if they state in very small print somewhere that "batting practice constitutes game use" that that covers some of these claims but it's still very deceptive to me. You know what. It's just as easy to write "batting practice bat" as it is to write, "game used, and game use can also mean batting practice". I know because I just typed them both and the first one was actually easier. Sorry to vent.

[CollectGU]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

I agree with you, but they all do it, including steiner on their game used bats....

[byergo]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

As Vince works with PSA/DNA and is listed as an expert on this web site, I used the Game Used Universe "Ask This Expert" function for him to read this thread and join the discussion. The American Memorabilia web site lists the COA as: "PSA Bats/John Taube And Vince Malta."

The exact message I sent is below:

------------------------------------------------------------------
Vince,
I own the real Bo Jackson game used 1989 All Star bat. The one PSA/DNA authenticated for the current American Memorabilia auction is not legit. Please refer to the following URL to join the discussion on the Game Used Universe Forum regarding this bat:

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=3382

I can see that you are listed as a game used expert in the Game Used Universe "Experts Corner" and you also work with PSA/DNA. I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding this issue.

Best Regards,
Scott Byergo
scottbyergo@lycos.com
573-639-1134, cell

[byergo]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

email auto response:
---------------------------------------------
Dear Scott Byergo,

Thank you for submtting a question to Vince Malta. We will send an email notification to you when your question is answered.

All the best,

Game Used Universe www.gameuseduniverse.com

[suave1477]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

Yankwood I agree with you but your looking at i the wrong way as far a why they are putting game used instead of it just being just as easy to write Batting Practice. The ANSWER IS. They don't want too!!! Its called marketing and more items will sell if you list it as Game Used than Batting Practice.That's a fact!!!

Think about it would you rather list 10 items called Batting Practice - and Sell 2.

OR

List 10 Items as Game Used - Sell 8 and debate with 2 buyers about it being Batting Practice.

[byergo]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

If the bat was used in batting practice and PSA/DNA says in their opinion that is THE game used Bo bat it is weak beyond all imagination! Frankly it pisses me off!

I shouldn't have to defend the integrity of my bat because the "industry standard" authenticator and auction house are too lazy or incompetent to conduct an adequate thorough investigation of the item prior to authentication.

[sylbry]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

Would the pink all star balls have been used in batting practice also? Just a thought.

[byergo]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

From the American Memorabilia auction description:

1989 Bo Jackson All-Star Game-Used Bat (MVP)

By now we all know Bo. It's difficult enough to play one professional sport but to excel in two shows unbelievable versatility. Bo Jackson was invited to showcase his gift in the 1989 All-Star Game. Jackson set the flow of the game with a monstrous home run, stolen bases and remarkable catches. The superstar heartily earned the MVP award for his crowd mesmerizing play. Jackson used this mighty Louisville Slugger (model J93) during the 1989 All-Star Game. The bat measures 34 1/4” and weighs 34.1 ounces. It shows excellent use with hit marks on the barrel, blue ball transfer marks and rack marks. For quick identification,"Bo" is marked on the knob and end of the barrel in black felt tip pen. Also to note, this bat exhibits smoke damage on the handle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Problems:
1. The pine tar is incorrect
2. Blue transfer marks are WRONG, not even a POSSIBLE color for a legit 89 All Star game as I depicted with a picture of the official game ball

3. The real bat isn't smoke damaged, because I OWN it!
4. The authentic bat has "Bo" written on NEITHER the barrel or knob ends
5. Does this bat even have "LOUISVILLE" on the back side? We can't see a pic of the reverse

[JimCaravello]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

I would suggest calling John Taube directly at his office to discuss the bats in question. If Vince is anything like me, I typically find out 10 days later that I have an e-mail on the GUU system.

John's website and contact info just in case you don't have is:

www.gameusedbats.com

Jim - jcaravello@nc.rr.com

[byergo]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

Just emailed John Taube at: info@gameusedbats.com to invite him to this discussion. It would be nice to hear from both of them...

[b.heagy]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

Without reading the LOA it is tough to determine who is at fault. PSA Bats - John and Vince authenticate a bat as game used (per auction listing) - consignor says or was lead to beleive that the bat was used in the all star game, auction house goes by what they are told and we have this situation. I would really like to read the LOA on this one. I dont know either way how the description came to be but this is an interesting thread.

Bill

[byergo]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

I recieved a quick follow up from John Taube. Case closed!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Scott,

American Memorabilia is revising their write up. It should be online
tomorrow. The bat is Bo Jackson's 1989 All Star Game bat. Two bats
were shipped to Bo on 7/6/89. Based on the documention you have, your
bat was Bo's ASG gamer. The bat in American Memorabilia's auction was
used in BP or after the ASG. We authenticated the bat as being an All
Star Game bat that was used by Jackson. We did not make any claims as
to use in the All Star Game.

Thanks for the email. If you have other questions, or require
additional information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

John Taube
PSA/DNA Pro Bat
Authentication Services


John Taube (gameusedbats.com)
e-mail: jtsports@digitalfm.com

[trsent]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

I also called American today and was told they have had the bat reevaluated and the auction will be updated in the next day. There appears to be red marks on the bat, let's wait for the auction update on the American Memorabilia web site to see.

Great work guys, this forum does work!

[byergo]

Re: American Memorabilia Bo Jackson bat

One last statement of facts and commentary surrounding this issue. The party that I bought the actual Bo Jackson 1989 All Star gamer bat from on ebay (zanebats), ran a subsequent auction for another bat which was similar in production and markings but displayed absolutely ZERO signs of game use. According to PSA/DNA this had to be the only other "game issued" bat (as they clearly state two were produced by Louisville Slugger and sent to Mr. Jackson), and again it was sold with no game use what so ever, and clearly sold as game issued only. I am 100% certain this is correct because I was in fact an underbidder on this 2nd bat, as I wanted to "lock them both up" in order to prevent this sort of disaster from occuring. Perhaps Zane would care to enter the discussion?

This means that if Taube and Malta are correct that only two bats were produced and sent to Bo, and we all know that mine is 100% without question the real game bat used in both the All Star game and Home Run Derby per multiple photo and video evidence; and then the other UNUSED bat was sold on ebay with NO signs of use, NO pine tar, No ball marks, no smoke damage, No red/pink marks were noted until I brought it up, etc...

What can we conclude about the "game use" that now magically appears on the FAKE bat that was recently sold without any game use (17 years after the game was played in Anaheim)? Again with "Bo" incorrectly written on both the handle and knob, incorrect pine tar which anyone can see with a quick Internet search, smoke damage that wasn't there a short while ago, incorrect blue ball transfer marks that aren't even possible for a legit Bo All Star gamer, etc...?

I'm not looking to be a whistleblower or a jerk, but the simple fact is that I own the real bat, it's the centerpiece of my collection, my pride and joy; and I won't just sit back and watch it's value and historical significance destroyed without fiercely fighting back!

One last comment: I noticed that "Hockystik" at Game Used Universe has had a Bo Jackson AS bat with the large LOUISVILLE logo listed on his web site which you can access from

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=106&page=2:

http://www.geocities.com/hockystik/bats_page4.html

Jackson, Bo #16 large Louisville label 86-89 $600.00

I've been wondering if this was the source for the fake American Memorablia bat, or just one of the reproduction bats which was produced with the incorrect model number.?