Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

[DTM5]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

So what makes any "regular" Griffey Jr. Rookie bat more valuable than this bat? Last time I've checked, I've only seen Griffey Jr. rookie bats with same COA this bat has, besides the bat Ken Goldin pointed out that had a letter written by a fan attesting to acquiring the bat. Something is only worth what one is willing to pay for an item. Look what Arron Judge stuff is selling for...an absolute joke! This is a one-of-kind bat never seen before and photomatched to more items than any other bat. I've see a handful of black LS rookie bats and rawlings. Those are not as unique in my eyes!!

Oh wait, sorry...I said was done defending the bat!!! Haha

[yankees506]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

I highly doubt griffey would have grabbed a bat that he was not using for a photoshoot. Even if it is his dads bat placing it in his hands during his rookie season/ era is incredible and amazing it has survived the years. I would not care to match it to "game use" its matched period at least imo. Great bat man!

[truvalue123]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Why would it have LESS value than another Griffey rookie bat? They already have a range...Especially with use, preparation, a photo match to Griffey Jr. himself, and, a rock solid Taube letter? Are there ANY Griffey ROOKIE bats with a photo match to game play?
Look at the number of rookie bats on pricerealized.com...very few..none with photo match.

[seanbaseball]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Its a very cool bat. Im sure it has nice value but less than a regular Griffey rookie bat. As was said the most important thing is that U like it!

[swainer]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Dude, that is one awesome bat! Take all of the comments with a grain of salt. I don't believe anyone is trying to downplay how great this bat is (and if they are, they are just jealous). I'm extremely happy for you to find this bat! I found a similar grail about 6 months ago. I'm a huge Lance Parrish collector and was contacted out of the blue asking if I had any interest in a Parrish 76 bicentennial bat. I didn't even think one existed!! Since his rookie year was 78 (he had a cup of coffee in Sept. of 77), I didn't even think to look for one. It doesn't appear to have much use if any. But you know what? Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care!!!!! Much like you, I have a bat I never thought I'd own and I'm happy as hell!!!

Thanks for sharing and congrats!

[truvalue123]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Let's go off on another tangent..how/where were you able to obtain this awesome bat? It didn't seem to come from one of the major auction houses since it seems new to the market.

[3arod13]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Not correct. There are many items authentic, with or without an LOA. Nobody is telling you that your bat isn’t authentic. Remember, these are opinions (things to think about and consider). Even when I looked at the cards of Griffey Jr. holding the bat, there are no fans in the stands. So I thought maybe a setup photo shoot or done much earlier before a game. It could be a GU or BP bat, who really knows. So for me, I would have passed on it (but that's me). As you can see, it could raise questions for many collectors. I posted a bat on GUU years ago, in which it was authenticated by top authenticators in the hobby and the player himself. After many OPINIONS from GUU members (yes, I initially defended my bat and would have continued until my death), but after much research, I found video of the game that showed he didn’t even use the same style bat in the game. Many purchase items, then do research, only to find the item isn’t authentic. Proceed with caution and do your homework is always preached on GUU. It has educated me to the point where I have become a hardcore researcher. Again, if you’re happy with the bat, that’s all that matters!

[DTM5]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

So playing devils advocate of what I'm hearing from responses... GU items are no longer game used unless photomatched to gameplay? So now all PSA/DNA and Beckett COA, mears COA etc, are obsolete unless accompanied by a photomatch? So should we in the hobby go as far to say an item is not game used unless photomatched? Wow, lots of collectors better start doing their homework and learn how to photomatch and/or I just help raised stock for John Robinson at resolution photomatching!!! Should we go so far and say no one on this site can attempt to sell an item as game used unless there is a photomatch of game play? According to these responses most, if not all your items in your collection are no longer game used until photomatched to game play!!! Make sure no one purchases any upcoming items in any auction unless photomatched to game play, and auction houses should not accept your consignments or be able to sell an item with just a COA stating it's game used.

[BirdsOnBat]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

As previously stated, “Don’t be insulted, as its how the hobby works.” I know from personal experience. Many forget that LOA’s are opinions, not facts, unless also photo matched. Many items that have been authenticated by top authenticator’s in the hobby, and even the players themselves, have later been proven not be authentic as game used. Bottom line, if you’re comfortable with the bat, then that’s what should be important to you. It's a great find and pretty cool bat!

Good post and I've bolded what I think is the most important part. I liken some of this to doing your own home/car/etc repairs. Some folks enjoy that process, other prefer to have someone else do it that has perceived expertise in a given area. I'm terrible at home repair and do not enjoy it at all, but I did spend a few days last week pinpointing a shipment order date for a $250 bat.

In the end, what matters most is that you, the owner are happy with the item. Whether that means through your own varied level of research, having a service provide their packet of evidence or having someone on a message board say they think it's fine on an 8x10 piece of paper. Everyone is different, as long as you are happy, that should be the goal.

[3arod13]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Thank you again for feedback. I guess I am confused by the fact that many GU bats are sold privately and at auction without photomatching at all and solely by the COA stating it is GU and collectors accept that???? Very contradicting of the hobby if you ask me.

Yes, this hobby can be frustrating and confusing at times. Because so many items have been later found not to be authentic, LOA or no LOA, collectors are more cautious today and do their own homework. Again, cool bat!

[DTM5]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Thank you again for feedback. I guess I am confused by the fact that many GU bats are sold privately and at auction without photomatching at all and solely by the COA stating it is GU and collectors accept that???? Very contradicting of the hobby if you ask me. Either way I don't think there are many, if any collectors that can say they have a bat photomatched to two rookie cards, card sets, and postcards by a famous sports photographer. Many of you probably own or have owned these items and might be in your drawer as we speak. The fact that anyone can look up these rookie cards and postcards online, in a card shop, and and see my bat his pretty remarkable!

[3arod13]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Its a great bat. Its photomatched to staged photography. Clearly for it to be super valuable/rare you would need to match to game action. Dont be insulted as its how the hobby works. Also does it show any ball marks?

I think this comment is pretty much right on the mark. You have a bat that Ken Griffey Jr. is holding in a baseball card that looks photo matched to your bat. That in itself is pretty cool! However, it could be a GU or BP bat. One will never know for sure until photo matched to game action (which is difficult to do for that time period as game video is hard to find, and if found, video is not of great quality). If one is looking for other collector’s validation of their item, then one would have to expect to receive many differences of opinion. As previously stated, “Don’t be insulted, as its how the hobby works.” I know from personal experience. Many forget that LOA’s are opinions, not facts, unless also photo matched. Many items that have been authenticated by top authenticator’s in the hobby, and even the players themselves, have later been proven not be authentic as game used. Bottom line, if you’re comfortable with the bat, then that’s what should be important to you. It's a great find and pretty cool bat!

[seanbaseball]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

I'm done "defending" this bat the photomatches speak for themselves!!! I appreciate everyone's feedback. This is a find of a century for me considering I only collect Jr. items and this is only the third GU bat I own. I wish everyone their find of the century. Good luck and happy collecting.

Its a great bat. Its photomatched to staged photography. Clearly for it to be super valuable/rare you would need to match to game action. Dont be insulted as its how the hobby works. Also does it show any ball marks?

[joecoco]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

Congrats on your find of the century. Mine was 1986 Larry Bird Finals shoes. It's pretty incredible when it happens.

[DTM5]

Re: Rarest...most photomatched Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie bat!?!

I'm done "defending" this bat the photomatches speak for themselves!!! I appreciate everyone's feedback. This is a find of a century for me considering I only collect Jr. items and this is only the third GU bat I own. I wish everyone their find of the century. Good luck and happy collecting.