This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2018
Late Baseball Hall of Famer Willie “Pops” Stargell became the undisputed on-field leader for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the course of his illustrious, 21-year MLB career, every season of which was played in the Steel City. After breaking into the Big Leagues in 1962, Stargell would go to help the Bucs win two World Series titles (1971 and ’79) and hit a total of 475 round-trippers while driving in 1,540 runs. This lot features one of Stargell’s game-used Hillerich & Bradsby professional model (U1) ash bats that he swung right about the time the meaty, left-handed slugger made his debut in the Majors.
Measuring 34.5 inches long and weighing 30.2 ounces, the bat exhibits evidence of outstanding use with a handle crack that has been repaired with small finishing nails. Naturally, all marks and ball stitch impressions are visible on all sides of the barrel, as are red and green bat rack streaks. Its model number (“U1”) is stamped into the knob. Stargell has signed the front barrel in blue marker approximately one inch below his engraved signature. Fresh to the market, this is the earliest (that we know of) and one of the finest Stargell gamers to surface in the hobby.
Includes LOA from bat expert John Taube of PSA/DNA with a GU 8.5 grade. Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA for autograph. Also comes with a letter of provenance from the daughter of a longtime MLB executive whose name will be revealed to the winning bidder.