This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/5/2015
Roger Maris (1934-1985) set the major league record by hitting 61 home runs home runs during the 1961 season while playing for the Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth’s single season record of 60 homeruns (1927).
Maris began his professional baseball career in 1953. He reached the major leagues in 1957 playing for the Cleveland Indians. He was traded to the Kansas City Athletics during the 1958 season, and to the Yankees after the 1959 season. He finished his 12-year major league career playing for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967 and 1968. Maris was an American League (AL) All-Star from 1959 through 1962, a Most Valuable Player in 1960 and 1961, and Gold Glove outfielder in 1960.
A single season rarity, this 1959 Louisville Slugger bat was used during Roger Maris’s only season with the Kansas City Athletics. MEARS has conducted a complete evaluation of this bat, the results:
Dating (1959): Per the MEARS official bat centerbrand guide, the centerbrand of this bat was manufactured during the 1950-60 era. With the vintage #3 on the knob, (Maris’s number with the Athletics in 1959), this bat can be pinpointed to 1959. The length, weight, and model also supports 1959 as the date of use.
Length 35”: Bat measures 35” which is consistent with what Roger Maris ordered during the referenced label period.
Weight 33 ounces: Currently weighing 33 ounces, the bat is consistent with Roger Maris bat records from the 1959 season.
Model 016: Roger Maris personal bat records housed at the Louisville Slugger factory confirm the 016 model was used by Maris during the 1959 season.
Game Use: Bat has heavy game use. Heavy ball marks and deeply embedded stitch marks are found on the barrel. 3 light layers of deadwood, caused from repeated contact of bat to ball, can be found on the reverse of the barrel. 6 cleats marks are present.
Player Uniform Number: 3 appears on the knob, Roger Maris’s uniform number during his sole season in Kansas City.
Final Grade (MEARS A9.5): Base grade of 5 points was assigned for bat matching factory records. (1 of 48 bats ordered during 1959 per the Louisville Slugger records). 3 points for heavy game use. 2 points for personal player traits/ documented uniform number on knob, minus ½ point for deadwood.
A very rare bat used by Roger Maris before moving to the big apple. (76D0349)
(MEARS Auction LOA)