Best-In-Class
1970 Willie Mays Autographed Game-Used & Photo-Matched Bat PSA/DNA GU 10.. ...
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Description
1970 Willie Mays Autographed Game-Used & Photo-Matched Bat PSA/DNA GU 10.
Best-In-Class Expert Analysis/Summary:
As is the case with fellow period superstar Mickey Mantle, bats that Willie Mays used during the latter half of his career are often coveted for their character. Up until the mid-1960s, Mays wasn't known for modifying or preparing most of his gamers in a distinct manner. Once Mays started using pine tar more frequently, he also began applying a much more substantial application. Well-used Mays bats from the mid-1960s until the end of his career can often exhibit a heavy coat of the gripping substance that frequently extends from the upper handle towards the center brand, with remnants along the lower handle.
The presence of the recognizable pattern not only provides a Mays "fingerprint," but it also can enhance the eye appeal of the bat significantly. In addition to the abundance of pine tar featured on this uncracked Mays gamer, the bat exhibits his fading uniform number "24" in familiar style on the knob, various-colored bat rack marks throughout, and a multitude of ball marks and seam impressions along the hitting surface. As a bonus, Mays has signed the bat along the right barrel. From an aesthetic perspective, this Mays gamer is about as attractive as a collector could hope for.
While this Mays bat would have achieved Best-In-Class status based on its physical attributes alone, the photo-matching evidence accompanying the gamer enhances its overall appeal even more. The bat has been matched by third parties to various images in June of 1970. These matches resulted in attribution to three home runs (career #s 615-617). That year, Mays would slug 28, his highest mark between 1967 and his final season in 1973. One match would have added unquestioned value to the bat. With multiple matches provided, it is hard to quantify their total impact on a bat of this vintage. The combination of its player characteristics, visual quality, and matching evidence makes this Mays bat one of the finest examples known.