This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
On November 1, 2001, the New York Yankees were battling the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5 of the World Series. Tied at two games apiece, the two teams battled in extra innings and the Bronx Bombers emerged victorious in 12 innings by the score of 3-2. Though they lost the Fall Classic in seven games, the Yankee victory in Game 5 marked the final game at Yankee Stadium for right fielder Paul O’Neill. A career .288 hitter with 281 home runs to his credit, O’Neil went 0-for-3 in the game, but did reach base via two walks. He retired from Major League Baseball following the team’s Game 7 loss on November 4.
This lot features O’Neill’s game-used bat from that memorable Game 5 battle. The 35-inch ash Louisville Slugger shows incredible wear with dozens of cleat marks, bat rack marks and ball marks littered around the barrel, with a crisscross tape job adorning nearly 15 inches of the bat handle. The Paul O’Neill professional model bat (#C243) is emblazoned with his engraved signature “Paul A. O’Neill” and “NEW YORK YANKEES” on the barrel just to the right of the official MLB logo. O’Neil has signed the barrel in nearly perfect 9-10/10 blue fine-point marker, inscribed with “21” (his uniform number) and “Last Game Yankee Stadium 11-1-01 Game Used.” Getty image 460115247 shows O'Neill using a bat which certainly bears a strong resemblance to this one, but it has not been conclusively verified by a third party.
Includes COA from All American Collectibles. Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.