This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
Addendum: John Taube has confirmed this was one of Carew's final season game-used bats.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew played 19 seasons in the majors, splitting his tenure between the Minnesota Twins (12 seasons) and California Angels (seven). A five-time American League batting champ and 1977 A.L. MVP, Carew retired following the 1985 MLB season with a career .328 batting average. This lot features a Rod Carew Louisville Slugger professional model O66 bat used during his final MLB campaign in '85 when the 40-year-old batted a respectable .280 and added another 124 hits to join the elite 3,000 Hit Club (3,053).
The 34.5", 31 oz. bat exhibits evidence of outstanding use with a handle crack that has been taped. Numerous ball marks are visible on all sides of the barrel. Cleat marks can be seen on the front and left barrel. The handle has been taped approximately 8.5" in a spiral pattern and there is a moderate coat of pine tar on the handle. Carew has autographed the front barrel in bold 9/10 black marker. Includes LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (1B17880) (GU) as well as a LOA from Beckett (A52331).