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LOT #80031
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1955 Roberto "Momen" Clemente Game Used Rookie Bat, PSA/DNA GU 9....
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Description
One of only two verified Clemente rookie bats in the hobby!
1955 Roberto "Momen" Clemente Game Used Rookie Bat, PSA/DNA GU 9. He lived a hero of Pittsburgh and died a hero of Nicaragua, his body forever lost at sea following the crash of his overloaded earthquake relief plane in the coastal waters of his native Puerto Rico. Already guaranteed baseball immortality through his eighteen brilliant seasons of Major League service and his newly-minted key to the 3,000 Hit Clubhouse, Roberto Clemente achieved the closest thing to baseball sainthood that tragic last day of 1972, assuring that any artifact once blessed by his touch would be held in the highest of collecting esteem.As a child, the pensive young Roberto had earned the nickname "Momen," a playful teasing of his habit of avoiding distraction by answering "momentito" (just a moment, in Spanish) when interrupted by his family. Early Clemente bats are particularly prized for this variation in the facsimile barrel signature, a trend abandoned by the future Hall of Famer upon claiming his first World Championship in 1960. From 1961 onwards, Clemente decided it was time to put away childish things.
This is arguably the most significant of that narrow supply of "Momen" models, one of just two ever affirmed as a 1955 rookie by leading bat authentication service PSA/DNA. We'll allow them to explain how this special vintage is assigned:
"As a 1955 rookie Roberto Clemente bat, this is the earliest Clemente bat we have authenticated. The bat can be pinpointed to the 1955 season by virtue of a center brand variation that appears on bats manufactured in 1955. The variation can be characterized by a small indentation in the oval to the left of the 'L' in Louisville Slugger within the center brand. We have several examples of this variation on bats dating to the 1955 season."
In light of this elite significance, the "outstanding" game use evident seems almost superfluous, the multitude of ball marks and stitch impressions bearing witness to the earliest steps on Clemente's pathway to immortality. Light pine tar remains on the handle, which has been cracked and professionally repaired. Length of thirty-four and a half inches (34.5") and weight of thirty-one and a half ounces (31.5 oz.) match the legendary outfielder's earliest orders for this signature model Hillerich & Bradsby S2. LOA from PSA/DNA, GU 9.
Auction Info
Auction Dates
July, 2015
30th-31st
Thursday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 12
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,155
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
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