After fewer than 100 minor league games, Thurman Munson became the Yankees' starting catcher in 1970. The Yankees went from a mediocre team to back-to-back World Championships and Munson rivaled Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk in the AL as the decade's top catcher. Thurman Munson's career statistics rival or surpass every catcher who has been inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and on that basis alone, he has rightfully earned a place in Cooperstown. Munson's case, however, is strengthened by the intangibles that ordinarily weigh heavily in distinguishing the great from the good. Fiercely proud and determined, Munson played with pain and nagging injuries. A leader by voice and by example, Munson set a tone that disallowed preening individualistic play that hindered the team goal of winning championships. Also, the premier clutch hitter of his era, Munson amassed a .373 career average in World Series play.
Offered is Thurman Munson’s 1974-75 Hillerich & Bradsby model S44 professional model bat. The 34.75 inch, 31.9 ounce bat is un-cracked and shows evidence of excellent use. Several ball marks and ball stitch impressions are visible on the left barrel. Cleat marks are visible on the right and left barrel. Also visible on the bat are black and blue bat rack streaks and there is a light coat of pine tar on the handle. Visible on the lower handle above the knob is a rubber knob. The model number (S44) is stamped into the knob.
This bat was obtained by the original owner, Jeff Kay, in the Yankee locker room at Shea Stadium, from Nick Priore, the assistant equipment manager of the New York Yankees. Kay received the bat on a visit to the Yankee Clubhouse in 1975. A photo of Kay in the locker room with Priore accompanies the bat.
In the accompanying PSA/DNA LOA are the following comments from industry leading authenticator John Taube: The subject bat displays excellent Thurman Munson characteristics, namely the location of the
pine tar and more importantly, the visible cleat impressions on the barrel. Both characteristics are well
documented in our database. A rare feature of this Thurman Munson professional model bat is the cupped
end, which was ordered only twice during Munson's career. Order dates were August 10th 1974 and January
8th 1975. The bat also features a double knob, which we have not seen before on Munson bats.
Given its era of usage, usage traits and unique features, this is certainly among the most appealing Munson gamers we’ve handled.
LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (GU8.5)