1996 Alex Rodriguez Game Used & Signed HR #15 Bat

[3arod13]

Re: Looking for video or photo - $200 to you if you find it

Here is A-Rod posong with a Rawlings bat like yours sorta. This card is also from 1996.

Thanks for adding a picture of this card. This is the first time I have seen a Rawlings Bat in Arod's hands. Still doesn't mean he used it, but it's still a first picture with him and a Rawlings.

Regards, Tony

[3arod13]

Re: Looking for video or photo - $200 to you if you find it

Rudy,

Would like to ask a favor from you. The picture where you show the bat label and and no ring, with the arrows. Can you do the same for the other picture, having and arrow pointing to the "poweried" and "label?"

Would like to use these in my documentation as proof that the bat in Toronto was a "Louisville Slugger" and not a "Rawlings" as stated by Arod in his LOA?

If you could email me both pics, it would be greatly appreciated.

arod13tb@yahoo.com

Regards, Tony

These pics

[3arod13]

Re: Looking for video or photo - $200 to you if you find it

Pictures too small to tell.

Would be nice to find a clearer photo. Definately doesn't look like a LVS label.

Tony

[3arod13]

Re: Looking for video or photo - $200 to you if you find it

Would be nice to find a clearer photo. Definately doesn't look like a LVS label.

Tony

[3arod13]

Re: Looking for video or photo - $200 to you if you find it

It's amazing I was able to obtain a copy of the game Seattle at Toronto on 25 June 1996 from Canada, but can't get a copy of the game Boston Red Sox at Seattle on 31 May 1996. Still pressing on until I do.

Regards, Tony

[3arod13]

Re: Update on my 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat

I will be posting the final results of my research on my 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat next week.

I'm waiting for one last piece for my research to be completed.

Regards, Tony

[3arod13]

I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

As you all are aware, I had what I was made to believe to be an authentic 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used HR #15 1996 Bat. The bat accompanied 3 LOA'S (AROD Authenticated, SDCA (Signed by Troy Kinunen), and PSA.

After extensive research by myself, I have proven the bat was not used to hit not only HR #15 1996, and went as far to prove it wasn't used to hit career HR #15.

I provided the proof to Arod and his representatives, and they were more than willing to correct the error.

The inscription HR #15 1996 was removed and replaced with Game Used 1996. Document and visual proof was provided.

Following this, I contacted Troy at MEARS and asked to him correct the initial LOA I paid for then. He is willing to do so, but feels he needs to add the history of the signature, that it was authenticated as a HR #15 bat, then changed to a Game Used Bat.

I disagree. If there was additional information about the "game use" of the bat (found out later someone other player used it, etc.), then I agree. We are only talking about an inscription being change. Game Use is not a question.

I've dealt with a lot with this bat. I'm just a collector who trusted those who authenticate game used memorabilia.

At this time, the bat is a 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat, with documentation that states so. I don't see why MEARS can't provide a letter stating so, with proof and documentation provided.

If I were to send the bat to PSA, with all documentation, that's how it would be authenticated.

Yes, we know what it was previously authenticated as, but that has been corrected. I see need to indicate this in the new LOA, unless there was new informatoin about the bats use.

I really need your thoughts on this.

Regards, Tony

[3arod13]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

I want to add that I know how many of you feel about Arod and his signing of memorabilia.

I can honestly say that he did everything to correct this matter, and then some.

However this was signed and authenticated as a HR #15, I have no idea. But Arod was willing to everything possible to make this right.

Regards, Tony

[worldchamps]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

If there was anything written/autographed on an item, and then removed, yes i personally think it is fair to know....i am glad to know MEARS is sticking to this. If a bat was personalized and then removed i would want to know, and i dont think it hurts the value, but it should be disclosed.

It is a different subject but the more concerning thing is AROD is authenicating something over 10 years old, but looking at what he was told to write on a bat on a white index card. They were already wrong once, how do you really know it was ever used by him at all. I bet he would sign a retail bat game used if they told them to.

[Kid4hof03]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

I agree with MEARS 100% on this one. I do not think it would ever be fair to another collector to purchase this bat and not know all of the history behind it.

[Rboitano]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

I dont care about third party LOA's. If its a team LOA or a player LOA then I care. I think its still a really cool bat, I was wondering if you still had it.

[WadeInBmore]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

Tony...

Did you get anything other then the new inscription? That would suck to shell out the cash for a Arod HR bat and simply have it changed to game used As far as the documentation goes, even though it is unnecessary I would say that it keeps a paper trail consistant for the bat. If people track it down to your original purchase and then know about your issues with it being hr#15, it only adds to this bats unique story; I would assume the value has already gone down given the non-HR documentation. Let Mears do what they do, as I don't see it effecting the value of the bat, but maintain its story for whatever collector has the bat next.

wade

[bigtruck260]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

I dont care about third party LOA's. If its a team LOA or a player LOA then I care. I think its still a really cool bat, I was wondering if you still had it.

Agreed Tony. I think you did enough research (and some guys here) to merit the removal of the false inscription - and as long as A-Rod re-did the inscription...to me, it's as if it was never inscribed before.

I have yet to see a Rawlings A-Rod bat as nice as yours. It's a really nice piece of history, regardless of whether or not it was used to hit a HR. With nearly 600 HRs to his credit, it just may be a HR bat...have you totally eliminated that possibility? Did you ever find photo proof that he used it in a game?

D

[emann]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

Echoing the same thoughts, I also agree with MEARS on this one. I think it needs to be mentioned, but probably won't affect the value.

I'd also consider asking A-Rod's company to reimburse the cost of MEARS LOA or put up the cash toward a LOA from Taube. This is their mess and they still should clean it up...

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: I Need Your Help - 1996 Alex Rodriguez Rawlings Game Used Bat (Final Results)

If there was anything written/autographed on an item, and then removed, yes i personally think it is fair to know....i am glad to know MEARS is sticking to this. If a bat was personalized and then removed i would want to know, and i dont think it hurts the value, but it should be disclosed.

I disagree.....totally. If the inscription on the bat was wrong to begin with, and that is obviously proven by the research done (by Tony), what is wrong with removing the incorrect inscription, as it SHOULD BE removed, and just left as a "game Used 1996" inscription with a new letter? What significance is there to the LOA stating that the bat was previously incorrectly listed as H.R. #15 from 1996? I don't see the relevance. It was an erroneous notation on the bat that was removed....WHY does there need to be a record of that?

It is a different subject but the more concerning thing is AROD is authenicating something over 10 years old, but looking at what he was told to write on a bat on a white index card. They were already wrong once, how do you really know it was ever used by him at all. I bet he would sign a retail bat game used if they told them to.

A-Rod is supposed to be able to trust his "people" who look after his stuff. Obviously mistakes are made by human beings, so what would make us think that a mistake or three throughout the years could not occur with his handled items? I think it's reasonable, and predictable, that there is that possibility. You, on the other hand, appear to be insinuating that his people are possibly doing things wrong intentionally, and I think you are quickly approaching dangerous ground there. It is disturbing to everyone that A-Rod has made inscriptions on at LEAST one (and most likely a handful) of game used pieces....but what kind of a FOOL would he be to make that practice commonplace? We all have the ability today to "photomatch" stuff via videos, tapes, photos, etc. I think all in all his stuff is golden, and I'm not even that big of an A-Rod fan. That said, I do own some of his items, and I certainly hope they are all legit. But no need to throw stones without any proof.

Just my opinion....peace.