This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2021
This is one of the bats “The Great One” used to belt his way to the coveted 3,000 career hit mark. Roberto Clemente favored the Adirondack 194RW model bat during the final years of his career, and the distinctive knobless model can be seen in many photos and cards of the Hall of Famer during the 1971 and 1972 seasons. In those two seasons, Clemente batted a combined .329 and led Pittsburgh to two postseason appearances. In 1971, Clemente and his Pirates beat a heavily favored Baltimore team; and Roberto’s .414 and two homers won him the series MVP honors. The following season, Clemente added 118 hits to bring his career total to an even 3,000. Although in his mid-thirties, Clemente’s combined .329 average in ‘71-‘72 demonstrated that he had many more years left before retiring. Unfortunately, during the offseason, The Great One perished in a New Year’s Eve plane crash as he accompanied a load of humanitarian supplies to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua. Clemente’s place in baseball history transcends him simply being a great ballplayer. As the first Puerto Rican superstar he became the idol of millions of Latino fans in the United States and beyond, and his example as a kind and generous soul inspired countless others to use their fame as a vehicle to help those in need. This well-used bat stands as a silent tribute to the final seasons of one of baseball’s true giants.
The Adirondack 194RW model bat shows outstanding game use. Measuring 36 inches and weighing 37.7 ounces, the barrel is covered with ball marks and stitch impressions, no doubt some of which helped bring Clemente closer to the 3,000 hit mark. Bat rack paint streaks are visible throughout, along with cleat imprints and abrasions from contact with other equipment and the ground. The knob end has been stamped with the model number (194RW) and both ends show heavy wear from contact with the ground. The handle shows the remains of Clemente’s pine tar application and there are several chips and dents found throughout the bat. Graded a GU 6 by PSA/DNA, this is a tremendous museum-worthy bat from the final seasons of baseball’s first Latino superstar.
Estimate: $8,000+