This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/23/2019
This offered bat was used by New York Yankees centerfielder Brett Gardner during the 2009 season and playoffs. The speedy, left-handed leadoff hitter was called up briefly in 2008 before settling in as an everyday starter in 2010. Nine years later, Yanks manager Aaron Boone continues to pencil him into the starting lineup each game, and "Gardy" has consistently put up solid numbers at the top of the order, having scored 80 or more runs in every full season he's played.
The Rawlings Adirondack Big Stick bat (33" and 31.5 oz.) is pounded with game use and has a 9" handle crack in two places that has not yet splintered. The upper handle is coated with a moderate amount of pine tar. Ball contact, bat rack and cleat marks cover the barrel on this hammered thing of beauty. The knob is stamped "964S" and "ALCS09" to indicated that Gardner used it in the American League Championship series against the L.A. Angels. He only came to the plate four times that series, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, but the level of use certainly indicates that this bat saw action either before or after (or both). The Yanks would go on to win their 27th World Series title over the Phillies in the '09 Fall Classic. "30.84 GARDNER" is also written in blue marker on the knob. Gardner has signed the barrel in blue marker. A Game-Used hologram sticker from Steiner Sports (#181816) is affixed to the barrel, but the original paperwork is not with the bat.
A nice bonus to the lot is an OML (Selig) snow white ball single signed by Gardner on the sweet spot in blue ballpoint. It is a special limited edition (#13/208) ball done through Steiner with a stamp on the north panel commemorating the fact that Brett was the baserunner who had the "Last Run Scored at Yankee Stadium 9-21-2008." Both autographs are pre-certified by PSA/DNA. Steiner holograms on each item.