This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/2/2023
Offered is the professional model P72 Louisville Slugger which was used by Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Robin Yount during the day he collected the 2,500th hit of his Hall of Fame career on July 2nd 1989. Judging by the amount of heavy use on the bat, he used it for many hits leading up the hit also. Robin has signed the barrel in black marker along with a "To Dwyn 2500 Hits 7/2/89" inscription with a Beckett LOA attending. Dwyn Castle was Yount's "#1 Fan" and President of the Robin Yount Fan Club. Bat currently measures 34.75". weighs 31 ounces and shows heavy use with ball marks, stitch marks, grain swelling, heavy pine tar, Robin's uniform number 19 written on the knob and a professionally repaired handle crack (-1/2). PSA/DNA hologram 1B16154 affixed to knob with the accompanying LOA awarding a grade of PSA GU 9.5 also attending. MEARS A9.5. (69S0095)
Original owner has also provided the following with regards to the provenance of the bat...
In 2006, I attended the Wild Rose Auction House's sale of the Dwyn Castle collection. Dwyn was Robin Yount's #1 fan, and the president of his fan club. I attended the auction with Steve Demos (deceased) who was a huge bat collector at the time, but only concentrated on vintage 500 HR club bat members. Images of Yount during the at bat are inconclusive as to whether or not this was the actual bat from the event, but we are certain this is one of the best and documented Yount bats in the hobby.
During that time, she was in failing health and sold her collection via estate auction. I was in attendance and bought the 2,500th hit bat, Yount's 1982 World Series Bat (which I still have) and 1980 Adirdonack Bat (which I still have) and an opening day bat which I sold some time ago. I also bought several personal scrap books containing vintage photographs of Robin Yount, many with her in it.
All of the bats had the little white tags on the handle, similar to the 2,500th hit bat. The two bats in my collection, 1982 WS and 1980 Adirondack bats have the white tag near the handle which documents here practice of identification. The 1980 bat was signed "to Dwyn, Robin Yount", the 1982 WS bat simply Robin Yount, and the 2,500 hit bat was the only one with a personalization and inscription.
Yount rarely added inscriptions, and almost never on game used items. This bat was signed and inscribed personally by Yount, and gifted to Dwyn. It was in her collection ever since and remained there until it was sold at auction.
With respect to the autograph and inscription, it was done by Yount before giving it to Dwyn. Meaning, this was not a bat that was in a collection and then taken to Yount at a show where the autograph and inscription was later added. It was done at the time of the event. With respect to the removal of any portion of the inscription, again, this was the original condition as I received the bat. I highly doubt Dwyn made the correction, and it was most likely caught and edited by Yount before gifting it to Dwyn. I don't know this for sure, but that would be my best guess. Yount wanted to share this special bat with a very special fan. It is without a doubt the autograph and inscription is authentic, and done at the time of the 2,500 hit game.
I have zero doubt to the authenticity of the bat, inscription, or any part of the story and I am 100% confident this is the bat that was used by Robin Yount, signed and inscribed, and gifted to Dwyn personally by Robin Yount.
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS
(JSA Auction Letter)