Tweet
Tony Gwynn was statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year career (1982???2001) for the San Diego Padres. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 9, 2007, his first year of eligibility. Gwynn made a name for himself by being one of the most consistent contact hitters in the history of the game ??? unbelievably he struck out only 434 times in 9,288 career at-bats, and never batted below .309 in any full season, although he hit .289 in his rookie season. Between 1984 and 1997 he won eight batting titles, tying him with Rogers Hornsby for the most ever by a National League player. In 1994 Gwynn batted .394, the highest batting average in the National League since Bill Terry hit .401 in 1930 and the highest in the majors since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Had the 1994 season not been shortened by a strike, Gwynn would have had the chance to become the first batter to eclipse the magical .400 mark in more than 50 years. In the end, Gwynn fell three hits short of the .400 mark in the shortened season.
This 32.5 inch model B267 (cupped) bat weighs approximately 31 ounces and was manufactured by Hillerich & Bradsby for Tony Gwynn's professional use. Displaying 1983-85 labeling, through the use of H & B factory records this bat can be specifically dated to a single shipment of twelve bats to Gwynn on 8/23/1984. What does that mean? This bat was used during the last month of the 1984 Major League season --- the year that Tony Gwynn captured his first of eight National League batting championships with a batting average of .351. In 1984 he also finished third in MVP balloting, and led the San Diego Padres to their first National League Championship and into their first World series. All-in-all, a historic year for Tony Gwynn.
This hickory-finished bat displays textbook Tony Gwynn hitting characteristics. This bat shows heavy use with 99% of the use occuring in a 4-inch by 6-inch area below the label -- characteristic of Gwynn's precise hitting pattern and perfect for display. Although uncracked, there is grain separation in that area as a result of the bat striking the ball repeatedly in this area. A ring from a weighted practice donut is evidenced on the barrel side of the center label, and light remnants of pine tar appear on the handle. Gwynn's uniform number 19 is written in gold marker on the barrel end of this bat.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any hetter -- a bat from Tony's first batting championship season and the Padres first World Series -- it does, as Tony has signed this bat bat in gold marker above the barrel label. The signature is clear and unhurried, and measures a full 5.5 inches in length--- a perfect ten !!View Lot Detail page
This 32.5 inch model B267 (cupped) bat weighs approximately 31 ounces and was manufactured by Hillerich & Bradsby for Tony Gwynn's professional use. Displaying 1983-85 labeling, through the use of H & B factory records this bat can be specifically dated to a single shipment of twelve bats to Gwynn on 8/23/1984. What does that mean? This bat was used during the last month of the 1984 Major League season --- the year that Tony Gwynn captured his first of eight National League batting championships with a batting average of .351. In 1984 he also finished third in MVP balloting, and led the San Diego Padres to their first National League Championship and into their first World series. All-in-all, a historic year for Tony Gwynn.
This hickory-finished bat displays textbook Tony Gwynn hitting characteristics. This bat shows heavy use with 99% of the use occuring in a 4-inch by 6-inch area below the label -- characteristic of Gwynn's precise hitting pattern and perfect for display. Although uncracked, there is grain separation in that area as a result of the bat striking the ball repeatedly in this area. A ring from a weighted practice donut is evidenced on the barrel side of the center label, and light remnants of pine tar appear on the handle. Gwynn's uniform number 19 is written in gold marker on the barrel end of this bat.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any hetter -- a bat from Tony's first batting championship season and the Padres first World Series -- it does, as Tony has signed this bat bat in gold marker above the barrel label. The signature is clear and unhurried, and measures a full 5.5 inches in length--- a perfect ten !!View Lot Detail page