(LOT 2049)
Mike Schmidt Game-Used Adirondack Bat (c.1975 Labeling Period/Model #154X)) – Full PSA/John Taube Game-Used 8 LOA (PSA Cert #1B26982) & Consignor Letter of Provenance
Michael Jack Schmidt's MLB legacy commenced in 1972 when the slugging 3rd sacker played in a mere 13 games for the Phillies as a rookie add-on in September, belting only a single home run in 34 official plate appearances. In 1973, Schmidt started to display a hint of his enormous power by clubbing 18 home runs, a bona fide glimpse of the storied career he was about to embark on. The following '74 campaign, Schmidt crushed 36 home runs to lead the Senior Circuit, the first of his amazing run of walloping 30+ homers in 13 out of 14 seasons (including four seasons of 40 or more). His lifetime accolades include 548 lifetime home runs, three N.L. MVPs, ten consecutive gold glove awards ('76 through '85), a four-homer game accomplished on April 17, 1976, a 12-time All-Star, a 1980 World Championship, and a nod on the All-Century Team along with Brooks Robinson at 3rd base.

Indeed, most lists of baseball's greatest all-time third baseman award the top nod to Mike Schmidt, besting the likes of Eddie Mathews, George Brett, Brooks Robinson and Pie Traynor. Synonymous with Schmidt's pinnacle "3rd sacker" stature is this sensational PSA certified game-used bat that has been linked to the 1975 campaign. One of the many Philadelphia Phillies bats our consignor's sister-in-law was given during her "Hot-Pants Girl" promotional stint, it obviously stands as a most significant Phillies game used bat. The 1975 season would see the 26-year-old Schmidt club 38 round-trippers, one of 13 times he would eclipse the 30-homer mark, and the possibility certainly exists that Schmidt used this colossal lumber to belt one of those 38 dingers into the grandstands.

Assessed as a "Game-Used 8" bat by PSA's prestigious bat expert John Taube, the accompanying PSA LOAs provide the pertinent information including Manufacturer (Adirondack); Model Number (154X); Labeling Period (circa 1975); Length (33.75 Inches); Weight (33.9 Ounces); Wood Type (Ash); and Finish (Flame Burned). Presented in desirable un-cracked condition, the left and back barrel exhibit a few ball marks (light/moderate use), and some red bat rack streaks and a light coat of pine tar are evident on the handle. The 154X model number is stamped on the knob, and Schmidt's player number is also scripted on the knob in black marker, a typical attribute of game-used bats. A "cupped" style bat to reduce the weight of the upper barrel and enhance bat speed, Mike Schmidt's classic facsimile signature is engraved on the sweet spot of the barrel, joined by "BIG STICK" and "FLAME TREATED" bold black markings.

One of the finer artifacts of this unearthed 1970s – 1980 bat collection, this beautiful marvel reveals a sheen flame-burned surface, and transcends time to an era when the immortal Michael Jack Schmidt was embarking on a career that would ultimately place him as our National Pastime's greatest all-time third baseman. Schmidt firmly gripped this bat numerous times during his fourth MLB season, and by the time he called it quits after the 1989 campaign, his uncontested legacy was etched in stone. We cannot imagine a finer collectible from his remarkable career than an imposing game-used bat, and this PSA GU 8 offering certainly resides as one of the more formidable bats utilized in the earlier part of Mike Schmidt's illustrious career! - Full PSA LOAs Included (PSA GU 8 - Certification #1B26982)/Consignor Letter of Provenance

MIN BID $1,000
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