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,

No Ring? What does that refer to?

Tony

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

[joelsabi]

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

Tony,

I just want to tell you that you are doing a great service to the game used community by allowing us to follow your journey in getting your item authenticated. Many would be satisfied with the COA as proof and not gone further. I, like many here, admire your thoroughness and your pursuit of the truth.

Joel

[dodgersfan]

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

Iam getting a message that states the maximum downloads has been met.
Anyone else having the same problem?




Rudy

http://rapidshare.com/files/176465008/VTS_01_1.VOB

Here's the link to the video I received from seattle. Boston at Seattle
31 May 1996.

Be patient, it takes a bit to download (it's free)

When arod brings the bat back, you can see bright white on the bat. Could be a Rawlings, but not enough is there. Sad part, you can see griffey's full bat...lvs.

Download link: http://rapidshare.com/files/176465008/VTS_01_1.VOB

[cjw]

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

I'll put my trust in Arod. I believe if Arod, if presented with proof that in both game footage he niether hit HR #15 in 1996, as stated in his LOA signed by him, or even Career HR #15, I believe he will address the matter.

Am I naive? Maybe. Am I too trusting of a person? Probably.

The LOA signed by Arod is to specific for him not to address, if found not true. Whether AROD Authenticated staff screwed up or not. Arod signed it and I believe if he is aware, with video proof, he will want to make it right. I have faith he would do the right thing.

I know many don't like Arod. That's fine. I will still put my trust and faith in him doing the right thing.

It's not like this bat was authenticated by PSA, then found not to be good. This bat was authenticated by AROD Authentic and signed by Arod himself.

Again, no matter how many people hate Arod, I have to believe if he is aware, he will make it right.

Regards, Tony

Tony...this is no about hating or even disliking Arod...in fact, I like him as a player and only wish he would play for my team. I would have the same opinion on just about any big-name player, with lots of interest in them, their autogrpah and memoribllia. chris

[3arod13]

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

Here's the link to the video I received from seattle. Boston at Seattle
31 May 1996.

Be patient, it takes a bit to download (it's free)

When arod brings the bat back, you can see bright white on the bat. Could be a Rawlings, but not enough is there. Sad part, you can see griffey's full bat...lvs.

Download link: http://rapidshare.com/files/176465008/VTS_01_1.VOB

[3arod13]

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

"If proven not to be a Rawlings, then my work is done and I will provide the prove and facts to Arod. It will then be left up to Arod in how he addresses this matter."

Don't get me wrong...I hope that this works out great for you and have contacted the Jays Team Photograper to aid in the search, but I wanted to mention that the thought of making this into a big media story or even something that ARod might handle/care about personally, is a little far-fetched. One bat authenticated in error isn't going to bring out the media hounds in search of justice.

It may well be determined that people in his "'circle" have made a mistake. Arod pays them (or they are paid through association with him in his business dealings) and they will hopefully make this right for you. Arod won't blink an eye, because he won't hear about this directly, and I am pretty sure that even if he does, he will do more that direct someone to assist you?

I realize you are a great fan of his, and deserve better than to be mislead on this costly purchase, but let's put this into perspective. The industry is rife with errors, forgeries, mistakes, half-truths etc. Major purchases must be researched fully before being made, or the buyer beware...and the buyer then may argue with the company, the BBB or the courts to seek restitution.

I'll put my trust in Arod. I believe if Arod, if presented with proof that in both game footage he niether hit HR #15 in 1996, as stated in his LOA signed by him, or even Career HR #15, I believe he will address the matter.

Am I naive? Maybe. Am I too trusting of a person? Probably.

The LOA signed by Arod is to specific for him not to address, if found not true. Whether AROD Authenticated staff screwed up or not. Arod signed it and I believe if he is aware, with video proof, he will want to make it right. I have faith he would do the right thing.

I know many don't like Arod. That's fine. I will still put my trust and faith in him doing the right thing.

It's not like this bat was authenticated by PSA, then found not to be good. This bat was authenticated by AROD Authentic and signed by Arod himself.

Again, no matter how many people hate Arod, I have to believe if he is aware, he will make it right.

Regards, Tony

[cjw]

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

"If proven not to be a Rawlings, then my work is done and I will provide the prove and facts to Arod. It will then be left up to Arod in how he addresses this matter."

Don't get me wrong...I hope that this works out great for you and have contacted the Jays Team Photograper to aid in the search, but I wanted to mention that the thought of making this into a big media story or even something that ARod might handle/care about personally, is a little far-fetched. One bat authenticated in error isn't going to bring out the media hounds in search of justice.

It may well be determined that people in his "'circle" have made a mistake. Arod pays them (or they are paid through association with him in his business dealings) and they will hopefully make this right for you. Arod won't blink an eye, because he won't hear about this directly, and I am pretty sure that even if he does, he will do more that direct someone to assist you?

I realize you are a great fan of his, and deserve better than to be mislead on this costly purchase, but let's put this into perspective. The industry is rife with errors, forgeries, mistakes, half-truths etc. Major purchases must be researched fully before being made, or the buyer beware...and the buyer then may argue with the company, the BBB or the courts to seek restitution.

[metsbats]

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

Tony,
email it to me and I will see if I can isolate it using Adobe Art Studio.
Tom

Tony,

Can you please email me the video too?

Thanks
metsbats86@aol.com

[bigtruck260]

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

If the bat is proved to be fake (for lack of a better word) how can you be so sure that any of this will even be seen by ARod?

Enough people from the industry come to GUU for inside info - it will eventually get back to someone involved that the bat is causing concern...Maybe not A-Rod himself, but certainly someone that knows him.

[chakes89]

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

If the bat is proved to be fake (for lack of a better word) how can you be so sure that any of this will even be seen by ARod?

[3arod13]

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

tony

you said you've "owned this bat for the past 5 years." yet the PSA/DNA cert on it is for a mastro dec 2004 auction. 5 yrs past that auction date would be dec 2009, which is next year. when and from who specifically did you purchase this bat?

i'm fairly certain "arod authenticated" launched in 2004. at that time, arod was already on the yankees. not sure why the cert says "texas rangers".

if the bat had a legit "HR #15 1996" inscription, why would someone send it in for authentication years afterwards? they hoped that if they sent the bat in 7 years after the HR occurred, that arod would remember the very bat? if it had the inscription, then what's left to authenticate? if they thought the inscription and autograph where legit then the bat was already authenticated by arod. given the very close proximity of when "arod authenticated" likely issued the cert (summer 2004) and the consignment deadline for the mastro dec 2004 auction, i'm guessing someone wanted to boost the provenance for a higher hammer price. too bad the SCDA letter isn't dated. i'm wondering if it was ESM that consigned the bat to that mastro dec 2004 auction.

rudy.

Rudy,

My error. It was my guess-timation when I bought the bat. I understand everyone's lack of trust in everything Arod signs. I will be satisifed once I find the video or video clip of Arod hitting career HR #15 in Seattle at Boston.

If it does prove he did hit career HR #15 with a Rawlings bat, then I am very satisifed. If this is the case, then I believe the error in all this is with AROD Authentic.

I believe the bat was sent it to AROD Authentic for authentication. It was then that AROD Authentic staff assummed the inscription was for HR #15 in 1996, researched where that occurred, prepared the LOA, and Arod signed it. That's what I believe at this time. I think we can all agree that Arod didn't do any research on this and just signed the LOA, trusting AROD Authentic staff.

I slowed down the video from the game in Seattle. As Arod is bringing the bat back to swing, you can easily see what looks like a big portion of the white ring, which is on a Rawlings bat. For me, this keeps my hopes alive. If proven not to be a Rawlings, then my work is done and I will provide the prove and facts to Arod. It will then be left up to Arod in how he addresses this matter.

Regards, Tony

[3arod13]

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

Regardless even if the Sox and Mariners game shows it to be the bat, the COA and the inscription on the bat is wrong. I wouldnt even worry about finding that game, its allready dead wrong. I would contact who you can and try to get some answers.

What? If the bat is proven to be the bat in which Arod hit Career HR #15 in the game between Boston and Seattle on 31 May 1996, then the there's nothing wrong with the inscrption at all. Only Arod's LOA.

Arod signing it, "Alex Rodriguez HR #15 1996" easily makes sense if Arod was referring to his career HR#15.

Name: Alex Rodriguez
HR: #15 (15 of his career)
Year Hit: 1996 (hit it 1996)

Just because he didn't write "Career," doesn't make it wrong.

Tony

[joelsabi]

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

Tony,

Looking at the photos of arod hr bats, it appears consistant that the number noted on the bat refers to the season # instead of the career numbers. Lately tho, with milestone bats arod adds a inscription "career" when the number is a career total.

[kingjammy24]

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

tony

you said you've "owned this bat for the past 5 years." yet the PSA/DNA cert on it is for a mastro dec 2004 auction. 5 yrs past that auction date would be dec 2009, which is next year. when and from who specifically did you purchase this bat?

i'm fairly certain "arod authenticated" launched in 2004. at that time, arod was already on the yankees. not sure why the cert says "texas rangers".

if the bat had a legit "HR #15 1996" inscription, why would someone send it in for authentication years afterwards? they hoped that if they sent the bat in 7 years after the HR occurred, that arod would remember the very bat? if it had the inscription, then what's left to authenticate? if they thought the inscription and autograph where legit then the bat was already authenticated by arod. given the very close proximity of when "arod authenticated" likely issued the cert (summer 2004) and the consignment deadline for the mastro dec 2004 auction, i'm guessing someone wanted to boost the provenance for a higher hammer price. too bad the SCDA letter isn't dated. i'm wondering if it was ESM that consigned the bat to that mastro dec 2004 auction.

rudy.