MEARS Auction #135, Ends Saturday, March 7th, 2020, 10:00 PM CST W/30-Minute Rule In Effect

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Lot #19:

1981 Carl Yastrzemski Boston Red Sox Signed Louisville Slugger Professional Model Bat (MEARS A5/*JSA*)

When reviewing H&B factory records for Carl Yastrzemski’s personal records, this bat most resembles the order of model C271, 3-18-81, 34", 33 ounce, 6 ash bats. The only difference is this bat was issued with a cupped end, and there was no reference of the cup for this order. At no other time during the 1980-83 timeframe did he order a 34", C271 model. In my professional opinion, this was the bat from that 3-18-81 order, and the cupped end was not recorded at the factory. When cupped bats are recorded at the H&B factory, the records show a simple hand written "c" is added to the order. It appears in this case the "c" was just forgotten.

When examining the knob, there is a vintage, worn uniform number 8. The shape and form of the 8 is consistent with other Yaz’s bat examined by MEARS. The 8 is worn, indicating it was added to the bat many year ago. The fading of the 8 would be consistent with a number being placed on the knob circa 1981. In addition, the Carl Yastrzemski autograph appears to be a more vintage version with JSA hologram/basic cert D82746 attending. The autograph on the barrel has also faded into the wood, and does not appear to me a more modern show circuit signature. Upon close inspection, I can find no signs of actual game use, just the presence of a couple of black rack marks and light handling wear. MEARS A5. (35K0120)

LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS