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This bat is was manufactured by Louisville Slugger in 1990 at the request of Tony Gwynn for his personal professional use. Following his fourth Batting Championship in 1989, Tony Gwynn requested an order of bats produced for his use with the words "Batting Champion" on the barrel label beneath his signature. He received a dozen model C263 (cupped) and K55 (cupped) bats with that notation. Ultimately, after a short period, Gwynn discontinued use of these bats as he did not want to be perceived as setting himself apart from the team. This bat measures 32.75 inches in length and weighs approximately 31 ounces. The knob bears the following black marker notation in typical Gwynn fashion: "C263 33-31 19." In the cupped barrel end, also in black marker, are the notations C263 and Gwynn's uniform number 19. Additionally, Tony has signed this bat above the barrel label with a perfect 6 inch long sutograph in black Sharpie. This bat was originally sourced from Tony Gwynn's former agent in the early 1990's.
Although this rare and unique bat is priced as a "game ready" bat, discoloration in the "Gwynn hitting area" below the barrel label, and slight wear on the knob, suggest possible light use of this bat prior to Gwynn's decision to discontinue use of these bats.
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 .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.View Lot Detail page
Although this rare and unique bat is priced as a "game ready" bat, discoloration in the "Gwynn hitting area" below the barrel label, and slight wear on the knob, suggest possible light use of this bat prior to Gwynn's decision to discontinue use of these bats.
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 .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.View Lot Detail page