This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/1/2012
Dating 1966-67: Per Reggie Jackson’s personal H&B bat records, the label period of this bat (1965-68), the recorded orders (1966), and the provenance/inscription (1967), this bat dates to the 1966-67 era. Although no official at bats are listed, in his H&B records, “Kansas City, ‘66” is listed. This may be interpreted as bats being sent to the parent club during 1966. It is a documented practice that players were called up to the big leagues, but many have not recorded an at-bat, thus the lack of documentation via references such as Baseball Reference or the Baseball Almanac.
The “Kansas City, 66” reference along with the recorded dates of 7-26-66 and 8-23-66 support bats being provided to Reggie Jackson for use with the parent Kansas City club during 1966. Even though Reggie Jackson did not record an official at bat, sitting on the bench or being with the team would make this bat the earliest bat associated with his professional career.
Signature Model: On 7/20/66, Reggie Jackson was recorded in the H&B records as having his “new auto” added to his bats. This would make this one of the earliest branded Reggie Jackson bats known.
Length 34.5”: Per Reggie Jackson’s H&B personal bat records, it is verified that he ordered bats measuring 34.5” during the 1966 season.
Weight 32.6 ounces: Per Reggie Jackson’s H&B personal bat records, it is verified that he ordered bats weighing 33 ounces during the 1966 season. This bat, currently weighing 32.6 ounces, falls within that acceptable range as a bat leaving the factory at 33 ounces.
Factory records: H&B records verify the following orders consistent with this examined bat:
Flame Burned
7-26-66, 34 ½”, 33 ounce, 3 ash bats
8-23-66, 34 ½”, 33 ounce, 4 ash bats
By comparison to factory records, this is one of only 7 bats made for Reggie Jackson during his first professional season, 1966.
Model Mc44: First used by Willie McCovey during the 1966 season also, this model was designed for McCovey. After placing one more order during the early part of the 1967 season, Reggie Jackson never ordered this model again. This bat could not have been from that order, as it was produced in a 36” length.
Game Use: Use would be described as “solid / medium”. Use is evenly distributed from handle to barrel end. The knob shows light signs of handling. Bat rack marks are found in the area of the centerbrand and extend upwards towards the barrel end. The bat was retired due to an 8” handle crack that has been professionally repaired. On the reverse barrel is the beginning of deadwood, a positive trait caused from repeated contact of bat to ball. In the area directly above the facsimile signature is a cluster of ball marks. Below the facsimile signature are clusters of stitch marks.
Provenance: A notarized letter signed by bat dealer Zane Burns detailing his acquisition of the bat is included, it reads,
“…The bat was given to a bat boy of the Kansas City Athletics by Reggie Jackson. This took place early in the 1967 season. I obtained this bat directly from the batboy for the 1967 Kansas City Athletics. It is the earliest Reggie Jackson bat known.”
When shown the bat for signing, Reggie Jackson inscribed the bat, “1967 Rookie Bat, Reggie Jackson”.
Grade MEARS A9: Based on the bat matching H&B factory records, the bat was awarded 5 base points. 2 points were assigned for medium game use. 2 additional points were assigned for the combination of provenance, Reggie Jackson’s personal game use inscription, presence of the #9 on knob (Reggie trait), and pinpointed factory records.
Hologram #311520, JSA auction letter for the autograph, MEARS A9/Troy R. Kinunen