This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2022
Widely considered the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history, Mike Piazza can thank his Godfather, the late Tommy Lasorda, for getting a shot to even play pro ball at all. In 1988, the Dodgers' colorful Italian skipper, urged by Piazza's father, advised L.A.'s front office to draft his Godson in the 62nd round. The rest, as they say, is history. Piazza won Rookie of the Year honors in 1993 and ultimately became MLB's all-time leader in home runs by a catcher with 396 at the position. (He hit 427 career dingers, but 31 of those came while playing a different position.) The 12-time All-Star, who would go on to star for the Mets in the latter half of his career, retired with a .308 lifetime batting average and was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2016.
Offered here is a superb Mike Piazza 1993-1997 era game used Louisville Slugger C243 pro model bat. The Galen finish to the bat adds to the uniqueness of ash wood composition. The barrel features multiple bat marks on the rear side and shows excellent signs of use throughout. "31" denoting Piazza's number is written in black marker on the knob end as well as on the barrel end. The 34-1/2", 33-1/2 oz. bat possesses identifiable player use characteristics and received a GU 8 grade from John Taube of PSA/DNA (Cert. #1B30054).