This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/5/2023
The quintessential five-tool player, Willie Mays is widely considered the greatest all-around player in MLB history. His run of twelve consecutive Gold Gloves will never be matched by a centerfielder. The “Say Hey Kid” played 22 seasons in the big leagues, the first twenty with the New York turned San Francisco Giants. The 24-time All-Star belted 660 career homers and knocked in 1,903 runs to go along with a .302 lifetime batting average, his final tallies occurring back in the Big Apple.
Presented here is a Willie Mays H&B game used and autographed bat dating to the 1970-72 period. Mays batted .291 and homered 28 times in 1970. The next season he hit 18 dingers and walked a league-high 112 times, his presence intimidating N.L. hurlers into pitching around him at the age of 40. During the ’72 campaign, the Giants traded Willie to the Mets where he finished up his legendary career.
The Louisville Slugger S2 pro model ash bat, measuring 34.5” and weighing 31.8 ounces, has a flame burned finish with “MAYS” in well-defined block letters stamped on the barrel. The well-preserved piece of lumber remains un-cracked and shows outstanding evidence of use, especially on the back barrel. Slight grain separation, cleat marks and bat rack streaks are also present. Mays has signed the top barrel in bold 9.5/10 black marker. The S2 model number is stamped into the knob end. It is unclear why this bat attained only a GU 8 assessment from PSA/DNA as its physical attributes all point to a high-grade Mays exemplar. Includes John Taube’s PSA/DNA GU 8 letter as well as a JSA LOA for the signature.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.