This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/5/2015
Signed at 18 years old, Robin Yount became the starting shortstop for the 1974 Milwaukee Brewers. Nicknamed “The Kid”, his enthusiasm and passion for the game never wavered, and when his career was all over, Robin Yount was a 2X MVP, member of the 3,000 hit club, and Hall of Fame inductee. The Brewers were the only team he ever played for.
During his second season (1975) in the big leagues, Robin Yount used this K55 model bat with a cupped end, a trade mark he used until his retirement in 1993. With actual on the job training, the now 19 year old Yount used this bat during his sophomore season while playing in 147 games, hitting 8 HRs, and tallying 149 hits, a preview of an offensive consistency that would remain with Yount throughout his career with the Milwaukee Brewers. 1975 was also special to Milwaukee baseball fans as Hank Aaron returned home and joined the Brewers with Yount.
Fresh to the hobby, this bat was obtained by a Milwaukee Brewers groundskeeper during the 1975 season. About the same age as Yount, the groundskeeper was personally handed this bat by “The Kid” where it remained in his collection until being consigned to MEARS Auctions. Collectors covet bats with documented lineage. From Younts hand, to the groundskeeper, to you!
MEARS has conducted a complete review of the bat, our findings:
Robin Yount signed his endorsement contract with Louisville Slugger on April 5, 1974, thus providing the company the rights to produce bats with his facsimile signature on the barrel. Early 1974 Yount bats were found with block letter “YOUNT” on the barrel. This has the first version of his barrel branding, “Rob Yount”. At some point Yount requested his signature be branded as “Robin Yount”. The majority of game used Robin Yount bats that have entered the hobby are found with the later version “Robin Yount” facsimile signature barrel stamping, making this first version a hobby rarity.
Date (1975): Examination of the centerbrand dates this bat to the 1973-75 era. Examination of factory records (K55C model) pinpoints the date to 1975.
Model (K55C): On March 19, 1975, Yount ordered his first K55C (cupped barrel) ash, 12 bats. He ordered one more single order of K55C bats, ash, 3. Only 15 K55C bats were ever produced for Robin Yount, and they were all sent during the early part of the 1975 season. Shortly after he switched to the K75 model.
Length 35”: Measuring 35”, this example is consistent will all 15 bats ordered by Yount in 1975.
Weight 31 ounces: Currently weighing 31 ounces, and would be consistent with the 32 ounce ordered recorded in Yount’s records.
Game Use: Bat exhibits heavy game use, extending from the knob to the barrel end. Above the barrel are dozens of ball marks with deeply seated stitch marks that penetrate the surface. Additional stitch and ball marks can be found on the area beneath the barrel stamping. Light cleat marks are also present. Blue bat rack marks, consistent with Milwaukee County Stadium, appear on the handle and barrel area. A very light spot of pinetar is found on the upper portion of the handle. Judging by the degree of use, this bat was used for several weeks/games and over an extended period of time. A perfect degree of game use has manifested itself on this 1975 early season Robin Yount game used bat.
Autograph: A black sharpie autograph appears on the barrel of the bat. A team employee had the bat signed for our consignor during the late 1980s early 1990s while Yount was still playing but not at the time the bat was gifted to the groundskeeper.
Documented Player Trait: The uniform 19 appears on the knob in worn, black marker. The formation of the 19 is consistent with several early (1974-76) examples of Robin Yount bats housed at the MEARS Museum.
Provenance: The bat was gifted to our consignor, the Brewers’s groundskeeper (and part time team mascot Bernie Brewer) by Robin Yount at Milwaukee County Stadium. The bat has been safely kept by our consignor and never before offered for sale. A true hobby fresh find.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): A base grade of 5 points was assigned for the bat matching Robin Yount’s personal bat records. 3 points were assigned for heavy/optimal game use. 2 points were assigned for provenance and documented player traits (19 on knob). A picture perfect Robin Yount bat. (76D0399)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS
(JSA Auction Letter)