This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2023
This bat was first sold in our June 5th, 2022 auction with the following catalog description, "Offered is a professional model MS20 Mike Schmidt Rawlings Adirondack Big Stick dating to his tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies circa 1984-85. Bat currently measures 35", weighs 32 ounces and shows light use with ball marks, pine tar and Mike's uniform number 20 written on the knob. "HR #454" written adjacent to center brand with Schmidt hitting his 454th career home run on 9/15/85, though MEARS cannot conclusively attribute this bat to any specific HR. MEARS A7." Dating of the bat was determined by the year date, 4 stamped in knob (1984) and the date of the HR attribution (September 15, 1985). Recently at a show in Philadelphia, the owner of this bat took the bat to Mike Schmidt. During their exchange, Schmidt commented that the bat was indeed his bat, the notation was correct, and a Homerun bat. He then signed the bat and added the inscription, G.U. #454 and signed an additional LOA which reads, "This letter is to certify that I, Mike Schmidt,used this bat to hit my 454th run against Rick Reuschel of the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 15th, 1985. The use on the bat is genuine, and the home run notation was penned in my hand." With the addition of the provenance, MEARS is raising the grade of this bat to a MEARS A8. For full disclosure, the bat was presented for grading by PSA/DNA and they declined to issue a letter.
(72V0380)
(JSA Auction Letter)