1988 Mark McGwire Game Used & Signed World Series Game Winning Home Run Bat with Lengthy Inscription, PSA/DNA GU 10 & Photo Ma...

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Sold on Feb 27, 2022 for:

$32,400.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder

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1988 Mark McGwire Game Used & Signed World Series Game Winning Home Run Bat with Lengthy Inscription, PSA/DNA GU 10 & Photo Matched! While the 1988 World Series may be a bad memory for the Oakland Athletics, the team didn't go out without a fight. Despite dropping the first two games of the series, the A's fought back in the third game behind one of the Bash Brothers. With the game tied at 1-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, Jay Howell, a member of the Oakland team the previous season, served up a gopher ball to Mark McGwire. While the Dodgers were eventually able to regain the momentum, the A's appeared back in the series. This bat was used when McGwire connected for the big homer.

McGwire signed the barrel with the following inscription: "World Series '88 Gamer Game Winning HR 10/18/88." Worth special mention are the numerous red ink transfers which are on the front and right barrel. The only time baseballs were used with red ink was in the Fall Classic. Regular season American League baseballs had light blue while the Senior Circuit used baseballs with black stampings.

There is a red mark which matches the bat McGwire used during his big moment. Getty Images (51551034) shows the red mark perfectly. They list the following in their caption: "Mark McGwire #25 of the Oakland Athletics watches his fly ball as he bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game 3 of the World Series at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California on October 18, 1988."

Taube spells out in his letter of authenticity why he believes this is the actual home run bat. His letter states: "The image clearly shows him hitting a fly ball to left field, the direction of the game winning home run. McGwire went 1 for 4 in the game with two strikeouts and a fly ball to to centerfield in addition to the 9th inning home run. Based on the site lines of the catcher and McGwire it's our opinion the image captures McGwire hitting the 9th inning home run."

The offered uncracked Adirondack model 256ZB bat (34.5" and 34.3 ounces) shows excellent use with the aforementioned red ink marks along with green and black bat rack streaks throughout. Moderate pine tar buildup runs from the knob to just past the green Adirondack circle. The weight of the bat (33 1/2) is written on the knob in blue ink, and "25" is written in black marker. Overall, the finest early-career gamer from McGwire we have seen, which is making its auction debut. This was originally obtained by our consignor following the World Series from McGwire's marketing agent. It has never been offered previously. LOA from PSA/DNA, GU 10. Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.