This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2018
During the course of his prolific MLB career, Rod Carew won seven batting titles on top of his 1967 A.L. ROY and 1977 MVP awards – all as a member of the Minnesota Twins. His lifetime average of .328 came as the result of collecting 3,053 hits in 19 seasons in which he was named an All-Star every year but one. This lot features one of Carew’s game-used bats.
The Louisville Slugger Hillerich & Bradsby ash bat (model C243) measures 34.5 inches long and weighs 32.1 ounces. It exhibits excellent evidence of use with a handle crack and several ball marks on the left and back barrel. Its labeling period covers the 1973-75 period, three seasons in which Carew batted an American League-leading .350, .364 and .359, respectively, and collected 613 hits. Cleat marks can also be seen on the left and back barrel and there is a heavy coat of pine tar still present on the handle that covers nearly 15 inches worth of wood. The model number is C243 is stamped on the knob alongside what appears to be “MRC” (i.e. acronym for “Mr. Carew” or “Minnesota Rod Carew” perhaps?) in black marker.
Includes Game Used LOA from bat expert John Taube of PSA/DNA, who claims that use by Carew cannot be confirmed based on his interpretation of the knob mark as “MAC.”