This is a 2001 Ben Sheets Louisville Slugger Professional Model Game Used Bat. This bat dates to Ben Sheets rookie year, 2001, based on the stampings present along the front of the barrel and the years in which Sheets needed to bat, while pitching. Sheets did not have an at bat while in the Brewers minor league system. This bat currently weighs 29.7 ounces and measures 33.0 inches in length.
This bat exhibits moderate to heavy use with deeply embedded lace and ink transfer marks present on top and back of the barrel. A number of cleat and bat rack marks are also evident along the barrel. Sheets jersey number, 15, appears in blue marker on the knob of the bat.
Sheets has spent eight great seasons in the Major Leagues thus far, all with the Brewers, and racked up 1,206 strikeouts with a 3.72 ERA in 1,428.0 innings of work. Over that period, he has made the All-Star team 4 times. He was part of the 2008 Brewers squad, which reached the playoffs and the first playoff birth for the Brewers in 26 years. Sheets though may be best known for his pristine pitching that helped lead the 2000 Team USA Baseball team to the Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics, which included a complete game 4-hit shutout against the Cuban National Team in the Championship Game. Sheets is currently rehabbing but is due for another great year when he comes back in 2010.
This bat grades out at the MEARS A9 grade with five points for the base grade, two points for moderate use, two points for the Steiner Certificate of Authenticity, and no point deductions.
Collection of MEARS Staff.