This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
Ichiro’s career arc is like no other before or since: a stellar career in Japan that brought him Hall of Fame status there, then a much heralded transfer to Major League Baseball in 2001 and the start of perhaps the greatest decade any leadoff hitter has ever produced. His first 10 seasons in Seattle produced 200+ hit seasons each year, a pair of batting titles and an average of more than 40 stolen bases. Now after 11 seasons with the Mariners, three with the Yankees and 2015 with Miami, Ichiro is perched to surpass 3,000 hits on American soil next year and will await enshrinement in Cooperstown to complement his election in his native Japan.
Used during the 2013 season, Ichiro’s Mizuno black stick (33.5" and 29.8 ounces) remains uncracked. Given the extensive use and impeccable provenance, the bat has rightfully earned its grade of GU 10 by expert authenticator John Taube. Ball and hit marks appear on all angles of the barrel as do an abundance of cleat marks. Heavy pine tar application appears on the handle. "51 AC57" is engraved into the knob, which includes a PSA/DNA certification sticker (1B09215). Ichiro added his personal authentication with a 10/10 silver paint pen signature and "13 GU' inscription.
Full LOA (1B09215) from John Taube of PSA/DNA with a perfect game used grade of 10. Full LOAs from PSA/DNA (W05842) and JSA (Y48138) for autograph and inscription.