This is a 1979 George Foster Louisville Slugger Professional Model Game Used Bat. This bat dates specifically to the 1979 season based on Louisville Slugger factory records, which indicate that Foster ordered the P72 model in 36 inch length only twice during the 1977-79 centerbrand period, on April 20, 1979 and May 4, 1979. This bat currently weighs 35.75 ounces and measures 36 inches in length.
This bat exhibits heavy use with ball marks present on all sides of the barrel with deeply embedded stitch marks found primarily along the top and front of the barrel. White ball ink transfer marks are present along the front and back of the barrel. Compressed grains are present along the top of the barrel and light deadwood is present along the front of the barrel below the barrel signature. Foster's jersey number, 15, is present in black marker on the knob of the bat. A strip of tape is present near where the unfinished and finished part of the bat meets, which is the Reds clubhouse inventory tape. The only part still legible on the tape is the G. for George as the rest of the writing has faded/worn away.
Foster was one of the main pieces of the dominant Big Red Machine in the 1970's. He played for the Reds from 1971-81, totaling 1276 hits, of which 244 were home runs. Foster's accomplishments during his career include two World Series Championships, one National League MVP Award, one All-Star Game MVP Award, one Silver Slugger Award, and 5 All-Star selections, which all came while he was with the Reds. In 1979, Foster recorded his third best mark at both his season batting average, .302, and home runs, 30, while racking up at least 400 at bats.
This bat grades out at the MEARS A10 grade, with five points for the base grade, three points for heavy use, two points for the Reds inventory tape on the handle, and no point deducions.
Collection of MEARS Staff.