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Collecting By Joe - Collector’s Guide to
Game-Used Bats |
Before
Taking a Swing at Collecting Pro Model Gamers, Familiarize Yourself
With the Key Features that Can Affect their Value
The baseball bat is a symbol of both artistry and power. It is an
extension of the hitter and his craft, the weapon he wielded on the
field of battle. In the hands of a mere mortal, it is just a piece
of wood, but in the hands of those with exceptional skill, it
becomes an enchanted sword sent down from Mount Olympus.
To collectors, that magic is tangible and felt once you hold
history in your hands.
Hitting a round ball with a round bat, squarely, is still one of
the toughest things to do in sports consistently. To illustrate the
point, failing seven out of 10 times results in what many consider
an excellent batting average of .300 in the current game. If an NFL
quarterback completes 30% of his passes, he soon will be looking
for a job. If an NBA player shoots 30% from the field, he might
find himself on a blooper reel. An MLB hitter with the same level
of success, however, might be on course for Cooperstown
enshrinement someday.
This 1951 Joe DiMaggio bat, used during his final season and
signed decades later, sold for $408,000 in an August 2021 Heritage
auction.
The growing bat-collecting market has changed substantially over
the past two decades as collectors have become more discerning and
sophisticated. There is also more information about this
collectible category available today than ever before. As a result,
this tool of the trade has never been more popular in the hobby. To
study the evolution of the bat is to study the evolution of
America’s National Pastime itself. Collecting these wooden war
clubs connects their owners to the idols of offense, from
formidable sluggers to the masters of bat control.
For those interested in exploring game-used bat collecting, we
present a hobby guide containing the key factors that can impact
demand and, ultimately, value.
Value the Authentication/Grading Process, But Understand
Its Limits
Like every other major segment of the sports collectibles industry,
third-party authentication/grading acts as one of the pillars in
the foundation of the game-used bat market. These services exist
for a few core reasons: to ascertain the authenticity of the items,
to assess their quality (where grading is available) and to provide
assurance to collectors. Authentication/grading companies also
provide the structure the market needs so buyers and sellers have a
better understanding of the collectibles they trade in.
In the world of game-used bats, the grading process is completely
different from the type applied in the sports card market. What
constitutes “high grade” in this collectible category does not
translate to trading cards, and vice versa. After a card is
examined for authenticity, the final grade comes down to one thing
and one thing only – condition.
While condition is relevant from a preservation standpoint and some
aesthetic issues can negatively impact the grade if severe, experts
evaluate bats with other attributes in mind since the right kind of
wear is desired. Once a bat is determined to be an authentic
professional model based on various features such as its labeling,
wood quality and available Professional Bat Ordering Records
(PBOR), attributes such as identifiable player characteristics and
evidence of game use are at the heart of the grading process.
It is always advisable to require approval from a third-party
service before you buy. That said, it is also crucial that
collectors understand the valuation process is not over after a bat
is officially certified. The grade is just the beginning.
One of the two earliest Lou Gehrig bats known, this game-used
bat holds the top grade of PSA/DNA GU 10. It sold for $1,025,000 in
a February 2020 Heritage auction.
As a result of the variables in play, bats are not “commodity-like”
in the way that trading cards can be. Third-party certification is
an important part of valuation, and perhaps the most vital one, but
it is not the only germane factor. Collectors must consider the
reputation of the service and the details found in the
authenticator’s review, which can help ascertain value beyond the
technical grade.
Furthermore, additional factors such as eye appeal (the visual
quality of the piece), provenance (the connection to its origin)
and more can lead to wildly different valuations of seemingly
similar items.
Key takeaway: Third-party authentication and
grading help set the foundation, but other attributes can impact
value, sometimes significantly.
Do Not Underestimate Eye Appeal
In any genre of collectibles, the laws of attraction apply.
Sometimes, it is hard to define or explain, but the way an item
looks can draw you to it in an almost unconscious manner. It sounds
simplistic on its face, but it is a tale as old as time. It does
not matter if it is an autograph, a bat or a card. The same
principle applies to items found outside the sports collectibles
market as well, like watches, cars or pieces of art. The first
impression something makes, either good or bad, has a lot to do
with its appearance and the way it makes you feel.
With game-used bats, eye appeal is determined after a combined
evaluation of its condition and its character takes place.
It has often been said that an ideal bat is one that looks like it
was pulled right from the rack after seeing significant action. The
preferred look is one where game action is evident, yet its state
of preservation is exceptional. Furthermore, the optimal bat was
stored and cared for properly, while not suffering wear due to
post-use handling or being exposed to the elements. The
quintessential bat was frozen in time and bottled; from the moment
it was passed on to its destination today.
This 1985 Pete Rose bat, which sold for $855,000 in an August
2021 Heritage auction, not only has the top bat grade of PSA/DNA GU
10 going for it, but it was also used by Rose to record career hit
number 4,191, and it exhibits extremely desirable player
characteristics, which gives it exceptional eye appeal.
We will cover the concept of player characteristics in greater
depth later in this guide, but it is essential to touch on the
subject here as well. Along with condition, the “character” of a
bat is what makes the viewer stare a little bit longer or want to
instinctively grab it. What experts, and collectors, must verify is
that the attributes responsible for giving the item its character
are consistent with the behavior of that player.
For example, if you are looking for a well-used George Brett bat
from later in his career, extreme applications of pine tar are
coveted. If that same amount of pine tar appears on a Mike Piazza
bat, it might look cool, but it is not consistent with the former
catcher’s style of handle preparation.
Remember, a bat’s rarity is extreme on occasion, so collectors must
temper their expectations. That said, the bats that have “the look”
to go with everything else tend to sell for a premium.
Key takeaway: The aesthetic qualities of a
game-used bat can generate the kind of visceral reaction that adds
value above and beyond its technical rating.
Learn How to Identify Use and Player
Characteristics
While the evaluation of general use is made at the point of
authentication and grading by the experts, it is prudent to learn
how to spot those attributes on your own. There is a difference
between signs of legitimate game use, such as deeply embedded
stitch impressions or rack marks, and wear or damage from the way
the bat was handled after it left the field of play, dugout or
clubhouse. Once a bat is retired, improper storage or poor handling
can be a problem.
The scars of game battle are sought after – not so with scars of
post-use travel.
Then, there are player characteristics, which are quite different
from signs of general use. In the game-used collecting category,
this applies to professional model baseball bats more than any
other piece of equipment. Bats are customized in a manner that
exceeds any other tool of the trade. Players order bats to spec
from the manufacturer and then further customize them by hand once
received.
This can come in the form of gripping enhancements, like handle
tape or pine tar, or the way a knob or barrel end is marked. These
types of bat modifications are referred to as player
characteristics. The presence of distinct and identifiable
characteristics helps place the bat in the player’s hands, and
these “fingerprints” often enhance eye appeal in a dramatic
way.
Well-used Harmon Killebrew bats often exhibit a heavy coating
of pine tar, which starts at the base of the handle, along with a
small number (in this case a “2”) placed next to his uniform number
(3), representing the second number for the bat’s weight (32 ounces
here). This bat sold for $16,200 in a November 2022 Heritage
auction.
What matters is that collectors familiarize themselves with the
types of characteristics that each player is known for and how
those modifications changed over the course of their careers.
Studying images and video footage of game action is one way to do
it, along with perusing other resources that provide valuable
insight. Some hitters are extremely consistent about bat
preparation, while others make dramatic changes to their approach
at different stages.
Excellent examples of players who made radical changes to their bat
preparation are Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. During the first
half of their careers, neither legend was an avid user of pine tar.
By the early to mid-1960s, that changed, with Mays altering his
approach a little later than Mantle. The two sluggers began
applying a heavy layer of pine tar, covering different degrees of
surface area, to many of their bats.
Beginning around the mid-1960s, Willie Mays started applying a
heavy coat of pine tar to the upper handle and near the center
brand of his bats. This 1970-72 Mays bat sold for $75,000 in a
February 2023 Heritage auction.
Mantle and Mays did not prepare every bat they used that way, but
the presence of those applications acts as evidence. You can see
the pattern of handle preparation evolve, and the change was
significant. If these types of “fingerprints” are present, they
help place the bats in the hands of those hitters.
When a bat exhibits supreme player characteristics coupled with
obvious use, the merit of the bat alone trumps all supporting
elements around it. Credible provenance, which we will cover later
in this guide, is not superior to or a replacement for stand-alone
merit. It is additive, the story behind how or when the bat was
acquired.
As simple as it sounds, once you become well versed in this area,
all you need to do is look at the bat to know whether it is an
exemplary gamer for that player. The bat’s quality is often
revealed through the eye test. Don’t become distracted by elaborate
stories of origin or tall tales about the bat’s conquests; just
look at the bat in front of you. In some ways, the discernible
traits of the bat should tell much of the story on their own.
Furthermore, the basic formula here is that recognizable
characteristics = character, which often leads to eye appeal.
The crisscross taping application seen on the handle of this
1997 Ken Griffey Jr. bat, which sold for $9,560 in a May 2016
Heritage auction, is one the Hall of Famer would employ during most
of his career.
Key takeaway: The telltale signs of action and
player customization add to the magic, and value, of each game-used
bat.
The Connection to Specific Periods or Moments in Time
Matters
Frequently, the story behind each piece is what separates it from
one of similar quality, type, or vintage. While this principle
applies to other kinds of sports collectibles, one could argue that
game-used items are affected more than any other by their
connection to a meaningful time or place. Much like eye appeal,
assuming everything else about the artifact is equal, if the piece
of equipment was used during a specific era, season or moment, its
appeal can be propelled to extraordinary heights if it connects to
something special or desirable.
The name Derek Jeter is synonymous with winning, and this 1996
World Series bat symbolizes the start of what would become a
dynasty in New York. The bat sold in a February 2014 Heritage
auction for $155,350, a record at the time.
For example, items used during periods of outstanding individual or
even team achievement elevate the equipment from a historical or
nostalgic perspective in the minds of many collectors. If the item
is photo-matched to a specific game, the same principle applies.
The performance tied to the game, both good and bad, can have an
impact on value. Furthermore, when the moment itself is considered
iconic, this specific connection can take a game-used item from a
player who is perceived as something less than a GOAT and turn the
collectible into a Grail.
A prime example of this is a trio of game-used items that first
came to market in 2010. The bat, jersey and helmet used by Kirk
Gibson during his unforgettable walk-off home run in Game 1 of the
1988 World Series sold for slightly more than $1 million combined
at auction. The bat alone sold for $575,912, which placed it in
elite company at the time. Gibson certainly had an excellent
career, but prices like this are usually reserved for the legends
of the game. In this instance, the importance of the moment
transformed the equipment into something special.
Sports history is frequently defined by moments like this, which is
why value can be impacted in such a dramatic fashion.
Key takeaway: Connecting a game-used bat to a
specific period, year or event can heighten its appeal.
Provenance Should Be Credible and Photo-Matches
Definitive If Paying a Premium
While the experts can certify most bats on their own merit, the
addition of provenance or a photo-match can create a higher level
of demand, sometimes considerably higher. As we covered earlier,
provenance is the connection to the item’s origin. Put another way,
it is the explanation behind how the piece survived the test of
time and ultimately entered the sports collectibles market.
This 1960 Ted Williams bat, which sold for $150,000 in a
February 2023 Heritage auction, was consigned directly by the
former batboy who acquired it that very same season.
Photo-matching is the process of comparing distinct features of the
bat with images or video footage from a player’s career to see if
an exact match can be made between the two objects. If a match is
confirmed, it can pinpoint the bat to a specific moment in time or
period that could be meaningful to the collector.
Leaps of faith on the part of the buyer are often required in the
world of collectibles. The real question is whether the leap
required is unreasonably big or relatively small to reach a logical
conclusion. It is hard to avoid some measure of subjectivity in
these areas but allow your common sense and analytical aptitude to
prevail. The value of provenance should be in direct correlation to
its credibility, while the value of a photo-match should lie in the
strength of its certainty.
When it comes to provenance, if the story behind its origin
requires layers upon layers of explanation, it is usually a bad
sign. In other words, the harder it is to connect the dots or
parties involved, the weaker provenance becomes. Regarding
photo-matching, the markings or central points being analyzed need
to be clear and distinctive enough to result in a conclusive
match.
This 1910-14 Ty Cobb bat was photo-matched to not one, but two
images, which is incredibly rare for gamers from the period. The
distinct grain pattern, which acts like a fingerprint, and the
clarity of the images allowed for a conclusive match to be made. It
sold for $1,620,000 in a November 2022 Heritage auction.
Anything less is nothing more than a style match. A style match
still offers value, but it does not rise to the ultimate matching
level described in this section. There are various companies that
offer photo-matching services. Each one has different degrees of
brand power within the industry. Regardless of the service’s
reputation, as a buyer, it is critical that you are comfortable
with their findings.
Key takeaway: The value of provenance and
photo-matches is unquestionable, if the pedigree and analysis leave
little to no doubt, but not all ties to origin are created
equal.
Whether you are drawn to vintage relics that hitters used to become
legends or modern gamers that trigger your nostalgia, we hope this
guide proves useful on your collecting journey.
Happy Heritage Hunting,
Joe Orlando
Executive Vice President, Heritage Sports
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One Ring to Rule Them All: Ted Williams’
Hall of Fame Induction Ring Sells for $444,000 to Top Heritage’s
$17.9 Million Spring Sports Catalog Auction |
Numerous estimates shattered and records set during the May
11-13 event, including a new high for a pair of LeBron James’
game-worn sneakers
Of the nearly 2,800 lots sold during Heritage's three-day Spring
Sports Catalog Auction, which ended early Sunday morning, one
ring ruled them all: Boston Red Sox immortal
Ted Williams' Baseball Hall of Fame induction ringgifted to the
great upon his entry into Cooperstown
on July 25, 1966. The Balfour-made ring still in its original
presentation box realized $444,000, more than four times what it
brought in 2012 during an auction of Williams' memorabilia held at
Fenway Park.
That ring was among the 20 offerings in the $17,930,942 auction to
top the $100,000 mark, thanks to the more than 3,500 bidders
worldwide who helped set numerous auction records during the May
11-13 event.
It was joined by myriad iconic and coveted cards, among them an SGC Near Mint+ 7.5
example of Mickey Mantle's sought-after 1952 Topps debut that sold
for $384,000, a record for the grade. Speaking of: A 1916 M101-5 (Blank Back)
Babe Ruth rookie card also set a new record for its grade when an
example graded SGC Fair 1.5 realized $276,000.
A rare 1910 D322 Tip-Top
Bread Honus Wagner, graded SGC 40 VG 3, shattered its
pre-auction estimate to realize $156,000. And a wax box of 1962 Topps
Baseball (First Series) cards with 24 unopened packs made its
auction debut to realize an unprecedented $288,000, nearly three
times its pre-auction estimate.
Williams' ring wasn't the sole piece of memorabilia to make
headlines during the three-day event: A pair of size-15 Nike Air
Zoom Generations worn by LeBron James during his second game in the
National Basketball Association realized $222,000. That tops
the previous record for a pair of King James' game-worn sneakers
set in 2021 when a pair of his high school game-worn sneakers – a
gift from Kobe Bryant – sold for $156,000 at Heritage.
Photo-matching reveals James laced up these new record-setters on
Oct. 30, 2003, when the 19-year-old Cleveland Cavalier dropped 21
points against the Phoenix Suns, beginning his two-decade-long
march toward the NBA's all-time career points record once held by
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. As the catalog noted of these Nikes, "This is
unquestionably one of the most important artifacts of 21st-century
sports ever to be placed upon the hobby's auction block," and
Heritage's client-collectors responded accordingly."The depth and
breadth of this auction, combined with the staggering results,
provide a clear indicator that the sports collectibles market for
quality memorabilia and vintage sports cards remains healthy,
vibrant and strong," says Chris Ivy, Heritage's Director of Sports
Auctions. "It was a thrill to watch as collectors from around the
globe competed to find new homes for these incomparable
treasures."
During the three-day event, numerous items toppled expectations,
among them cards featuring – and signed by – Jackie Robinson: A
PSA-authenticated 1952 Topps Robinson bearing the blue-ballpoint
inscription "Best wishes, Jackie
Robinson," which was graded Auto 7 by DNA, sold for $168,000.
And a 1954 Topps Robinson
graded PSA Mint 9 – the best-known example – realized
$87,000.
The only known 1952 Topps
Don Johnson rookie card graded PSA Gem Mint 10 broke its
pre-auction estimate when it sold for $117,000. It was but one
of 73 high-grade 1952 Topps baseball cards in the Spring Sports
Catalog Auction pedigreed from The Lionel Carter Collection, so
named for the man who famously accumulated only the very best of
the very best.
A single unopened pack of
1952 Topps cards, graded GAI Excellent-Mint+ 6.5, doubled its
pre-auction estimate to realize $84,000. It once cost but a single
nickel.
Stan Musial continued to hit home runs over the weekend when
his 1957 game-worn and
signed St. Louis Cardinals jersey bested its pre-sale estimate to
realize $93,000. The Man wore this road-gray flannel during his
final batting championship season – and was ultimately
photo-matched to use on June 12, 1957, when Musial took sole
ownership of the National League consecutive-games streak at 823, a
perfect attendance record dating to Opening Day of the 1952
season.There were a few basketball slam dunks, too, including
a 1969 Topps Basketball
High Grade Complete Set of 99 cards, nearly doubling its
pre-auction estimate when it realized $174,000. That should
come as no surprise: This assortment of immortals – including Wilt
Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson and a rookie named Lew Alcindor –
currently sits at No. 6 on PSA's list of ranked sets.
A new Michael Jordan card entered the pantheon of most-coveteds
during this auction, too, when the lone 1998 Upper Deck
Choice Michael Jordan (StarQuest-Gold) graded PSA Gem Mint 10 sold
for $93,000. That was more than 10 times its pre-auction
estimate. A card worth its weight in gold (foil).
Soccer had a few good kicks, too, thanks to the debut of The Pelé
Collection, a centerpiece offering that debuted during the Spring
Sports Catalog Auction. The collection features some of his rarest
soccer trading cards and memorabilia from Pelé's collection, all of
which he signed just weeks before his death in December. Additional
highlights from The Pelé Collection will be featured in upcoming
auctions.
The undisputed stand-out from The Pelé Collection
was the rare 1958-59 Tupinamba
Ltda Quigol product, graded PSA Very Good-Excellent 4 Auto 9,
featuring the young King's million-dollar smile. It realized
$34,800, befitting its scarcity and provenance.
Click here for complete results
from Heritage's May 11-13 Spring Sports Catalog Auction.
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Contact Your Heritage Rep Now! Now Accepting
Consignments for our August Platinum, September Showcase and Icons
Photograph Auctions |
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Chris Ivy
Director of Sports Auctions
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1319
or email at
CIvy@HA.com
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Derek Grady
Exec VP of Sports Auction
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1975
or email at
DerekG@HA.com
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Joe Orlando
Exec VP of Sports Auction
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1799
or email at
JoeO@HA.com
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Rob Rosen
VP of Sports Auctions
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1767
or email at
RRosen@HA.com
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Dan Imler
VP of Sports Auctions
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1787
or email at
DanI@HA.com
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Lee Iskowitz
VP of Sports Auctions
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1601
or email at
Leei@HA.com
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Chris Nerat
Consignment Director - Sports
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1615
or email at
ChrisN@HA.com
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Tony Giese
Consignment Director - Sports
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1997
or email at
TonyG@HA.com
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Jason Simmons
Consignment Director - Sports
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1652
or email at
JasonS@HA.com
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Jason Simonds
Consignment Director - Sports (New York)
at 800 872-6467 ext.
3002
or email at
JSimonds@HA.com
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Jonathan Fuld
Consignment Director - Sports (Chicago)
at 800 872-6467 ext.
3405
or email at
JonathanF@HA.com
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Peter Calderon
Consignment Director - Sports
at 800 872-6467 ext.
1789
or email at
PeterC@HA.com
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Sunday Internet Sports Auction Highlights |
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HA.com/Sports is the place to
be every Sunday night for collectors of fine sports memorabilia and
trading cards.
Over 100 lots will close to initial bidding at 10:00 PM CT.
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Please Note: The Extended
Bidding timeframe for the Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles
Auctions will be 5 minutes (previous 30 minutes). Catalog Auctions
are not affected, and remain at 30 minutes. |
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This Week in Heritage Sports Social Media |
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Raise a Toast
to the Bar From ‘Cheers,’ Which Sold for $675,000 at Heritage
Auctions
Cheers to the winner of The Bar Where Everybody
Knows Your Name! The bar counter with brass railings and bar
stools from the beloved NBC series found a new home Saturday night
when it sold for $675,000 at Heritage Auctions, topping the three-day Comisar Collection
Platinum Signature® Auction. The exhilarating bidding war over
the bar was a fitting way to toast the long-running series that
wrapped 30 years ago.
More than 4,700 bidders worldwide participated in the historic June
2-4 event, which realized $5,351,696 and saw nearly 1,000 props,
costumes and sets from historic, influential and popular TV shows
find new homes and caretakers. Every piece came from the collection
of James Comisar, who spent more than three decades collecting,
conserving and preserving television history in the hopes of
opening a museum that never materialized.
Comisar's magnificent costume collection included Adam West's Batman and Burt
Ward's Robin crime-fighting ensembles from the 1960s series,
which found a new Batcave to call home when the Dynamic Duo
realized $615,000 during the auction's first day. The auction
comprised several cherished and familiar sets, including the home base Johnny Carson
used during his final decade as host of NBC's Tonight Show. The
desk, chairs, couch, coffee table and that glorious backdrop
painting of beautiful downtown Burbank sold for $275,000.
Read the full press release
here.
More information about Movie & Music Memorabilia
Auctions
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Yesterday and Today: From Julian Onderdonk
to David Bates, Heritage Presents Texas Art for the
Ages
On June 17, works by Frank Reaugh, G. Harvey, James Surls and
more paint a picture of Lone Star art history
As a state, and a state of mind, Texas has always been hard to
define, and this is true of Texas-based artists as well. Texas
artists from the past and present don't fit into tidy categories,
nor have they wanted to. The kinds of art made in Texas —
landscape, abstract, figurative, conceptual, self-taught,
impressionistic — puts it in conversation with both the history of
art and the current moment. The very social fabric of the Lone Star
State and its deep philanthropic roots, its robust collecting
culture, its acclaimed institutions and a thriving commercial
market has made it a home to professional artists for more than a
century, and the diversity of the work and the artists themselves
are a testament to Texas' fundamental art-friendliness, its appeal
as a subject, and as a place to carve out a practice. Texas artists
have claimed a special spot in the art cosmos and their names
resonate well beyond the Red River: Julian Onderdonk, G. Harvey,
Frank Reaugh, James Surls, David Bates... . All are collected the
world over by both those who know and love Texas and by those
who've never visited. On June 17 Heritage offers significant works
by the artists mentioned above and more in its Texas Art Signature®
Auction. Highlights include stellar paintings by Onderdonk,
Reaugh, and Harvey as well mixed-media by Bates, sculpture by
Surls, and a sleeper painting by the mysterious and self-taught
Valton Tyler.
Read the full press release
here.
More information about American, Texas, California & Western Art
Auctions
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June 1 Thursday Natural History Select
Auction
Time is running out for finding the perfect Father’s Day gifts!
This upcoming Thursday Natural History Select Auction #212323 is
your last opportunity to grab a spectacular gift for Dad. Don’t
miss out on our selection of collector’s items featuring massive
Megalodon teeth, glittering Gold, and fine fossils offered here
with many other great finds! Stop by HA.com/212323 to find your
Dad a gift he won’t soon forget. But don’t wait too long — this
great opportunity will only last until Thursday June 8th
at 8 PM.
More information about Nature & Science Auctions
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1951 Joe DiMaggio
Final Game Used & Signed Bat with Extraordinary Provenance, PSA/DNA
GU 10
Have a beer with Norm and Cliff! Check out our interview with
