Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

[BoneRubbedBat]

Exceptional use on this 1989 McGwire gamer. Bat is uncracked. Autographed in white marker. Also looks like whoever got the bat autographed primed the white pen on the knob. The knob reads "256B 286 09". Rare black bat from the A's 1989 World Series championship year. Let me know if anyone needs more info or photos. $1100 shipped.

[BoneRubbedBat]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

more photos.

[cjmedina1]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Marcus
check you email.Thanks
Carlie Medina III
carliemedinaiii@sbcglobal.net

[hblakewolf]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Forum readers/Marcus-
I'm not that well versed in bats, however, I am always seeking quality McGwire game used items and at first glance, this strikes me as an extremely rare bat. After seeing this initial post of the bat, I did quite a bit of "homework" and searched my collection of McGwire photos from 1989-1991, and can't locate a single photo of McGwire ever using a black Rawlings bat. Natural finish-you bet! What I find interesting is that the bat also has a LOA from MEARS grading it an 8 and specifically noting they are not aware of him using a black bat, either. With this said, how can a LOA be written, and likewise, receive a grade of 8? If there is no proof of him ever using such a bat, how can any LOA be issued claiming it is a McGwire gamer?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this would be like having a pair of Michael Jordan Pumas with a MEARS LOA, giving them an 8 grade, however, noting that they are not aware of Jordan wearing Pumas, and likewise, no photo evidence is available.

Unless I'm missing something, how can this be attributed to McGwire ever swinging it or receive a MEARS grade of 8?

Any insight is appreciated.

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[whatupyos]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Howard,
How's it going? I have an old baseball card, and unfortunately I'm at work now, but he had a black bat that he was using. It apprears to be a Rawlings because of the white ring, however the card with him using the bat doesnt show a name, its the back side of the bat, so I dont know if its his or he borrowed it. Usually he uses the natural finish but who knows...I'd be curious to know what others think.

Aaron

[Birdbats]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Howard, I do recall seeing a black Rawlings Mac bat for sale at the Cardinals Winter Warmup a few years back -- interestingly, it had a red band. I was told it was made for Mark to try, but he never did. I never saw him with a black bat in his hands during his Cardinals tenure -- can't speak for his time in Oakland.

Your point about the MEARS grade is right on. Good analogy with the Jordan shoes. Can believe anything this out of the ordinary could grade an 8 without some kind of photo or video to support it.

Jeff

http://www.birdbats.com

[cjmedina1]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Howard
It was good to chat with you.

As for the bat,There is a pic of Mcgwire having a black bat in his hands.Its a 1989 all star card.Not sure if thats a shot from the allstar game or not.I can't post any pics right now(I'm at work not working )But when I get home I will be glad to post pics tonight if anyone doesn't beat me to it.The key question I have is this
1.In a allstar game does the Allstar players use home jerseys or away?
Not saying this is a allstar bat.Its info for me to know Thanks Now I have to go to work LOL

[BoneRubbedBat]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Here is the photo.

[hblakewolf]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Carlie-
Good speaking with you earlier today, and thank you so much for providing me with the card/photo evidence of McGwire swinging a black Rawlings bat in 1989.

I still find it interesting that MEARS wrote a LOA grade 8 letter based on........what??????

Thanks again,
Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[sportscentury]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Here is the photo.

Marcus,

You always have top quality items. Also, thanks for the photo. I have tons of Mac photos and couldn't find one of him using any kind of black bat ... but this card is great (I actually saved the photo for future reference). This has to be one of the rarer Mac bats out there.

This thread reminds me of the Ryan/Rawlings jersey thread ... the photos that are shared on this forum are just fantastic at times.

Reid

[cjmedina1]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Reid
Thats what makes this site so great.We all share information no matter how simple or hard it is to answer a question Thats why I will always be a member here.

[Birdbats]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Great find on the photo/card of Mac using a black bat with Oakland!

I've learned by watching Albert Pujols that unless you see every at-bat, things can sneak by that you might not believe otherwise. I never would have conceded that Pujols used a Gwynn-finished BWP (1 plate appearance) or an Easton with a black handle and brown barrel (2 plate appearances) unless I'd seen it for myself. Don't know if those were actually his models, but he did use them.

That said, I still think a grade of 8 seems high for such an unusual bat unless the provenance is perfect (maybe MEARS has more info than meets the eye). For example, if this was a Gwynn-finished Easton Pujols bat being evaluated -- knowing he used one during just 2 plate appearances (of 700 in 2005) -- I'd be skeptical that the bat being evaluated and the bat that was used were one in the same. Very long odds.

Without seeing the MEARS worksheet, I wonder if any points were deducted for the McGwire bat not matching Mac's typical characteristics. They deduct points if other characteristics aren't consistent with the player's known characteristics (like pine tar, scoring, etc.). On the other hand, should points be added if something is rare, like a model that was ordered only once? Or is that done already, since points are added if a bat is pinpointed to factory records? I'm debating myself... feel free to jump in.

Whatever the grade, this Mac bat is certainly rare and would be a nice addition to a McGwire collection.

Jeff

http://www.birdbats.com

[cjmedina1]

Re: Mark McGwire 1989 game used and autographed bat - MEARS graded 8

Jeff
I have to say you have a cool web site and I really like the article on Mcgwire bats.I'm noy sure on the grading of the bats,Maybe some of our experts give give some insight
Carlie Medina III
carliemedinaiii@sbcglobal.net