(LOT 2046)
Willie Mays Game-Issued Adirondack Bat (1973 Labeling Period/Model #M63) – PSA/John Taube Game-Issued LOA (PSA Cert #1B26986) & Consignor Letter of Provenance
The "Say Hey Kid" accumulated a staggering 660 home runs in a steroid-free era, adding 1903 runs batted in, and 3283 hits to the tune of a .302 lifetime batting average. While those figures alone would secure anyone's eternal place in our National Pastime's glorious history, Mays' pinnacle-like stature stems from his unparalleled ability to play every facet of the game as good or better than any of his peers. He could hit, throw, run and field arguably better than any player who ever graced a baseball diamond, and his absolutely spectacular "over the shoulder" catch in the 1954 World Series in the deepest confines of the Polo Grounds will echo for eternity. No wonder he was voted as the second greatest all-time player on ESPN's recently distributed "Top 100" baseball player ranking (bested only by the incomparable Babe Ruth), and this PSA certified game-issued bat truly suffices as one of Mays' finer collectibles. Definitively issued for the 1973 season, it resides as a bona-fide factory ordered bat for his 24th and final campaign, with Mays closing the last chapter of an unfathomable career by retiring after the 1973 World Series. The PSA LOA provides an abundance of significant criteria including Manufacturer (Adirondack); Model Number (M63); Labeling Period (1973); Length (35 Inches); Weight (35.4 Ounces); Wood Type (Ash); and Finish (Flame Burned).

An additional popular aspect is the classic Willie Mays facsimile signature engraved on the sweet spot of the barrel, extremely desirable in this scripted format versus a bat depicting block print style. Presented in desirable un-cracked condition, John Taube indicates its light use cannot be directly attributed to Mays, thus preventing a game-used assessment. However, considering the M63 Willie Mays model number is etched on the knob, and the bat reveals several ball marks, it is still conceivable that Mays might have used it during the 1973 season. Adding to that notion is that the other seven bats from this unearthed game-used collection are bona-fide "gamers" gifted to our consignor's sister-in-law during her Philadelphia Phillies "Hot-Pants Girl" promotional tour of duty. Regardless, what we do know with 100% certainty is that this Willie Mays lumber is indeed a game-issued bat for his final 1973 campaign, and that alone carries immense weight in the collecting community. Most avid fans can recall that 1973 would be Willie Mays' final MLB season, with the "Say Hey Kid" ending his career in the "Big Apple" the same way he entered the major leagues – as a bona-fide winner. His 1951 rookie campaign would see the Giants claim the National League Pennant, and the New York Mets would likewise capture the N.L. Pennant in 1973, only to lose a tightly-contested seven-game series to the Oakland Athletics. Now is your golden opportunity to capture a true Willie Mays' factory-issued bat from his undisputed last season, with this museum worthy lumber a resounding testament for his unfathomable 24-year career! - PSA LOA Included (PSA Game-Issued - Certification #1B26986)/Consignor Letter of Provenance


MIN BID $1,000
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