This is a 1976 Jerry Morales / Randy Hundley Louisville Slugger Professional Model Bicentennial Game Used Bat. This bat dates to the 1976 season based on the Louisville Slugger centerbrand, which includes a Bicentennial stamp just to the right of the centerbrand. This K75 model bat currently weighs 31.75 ounces and measures 34.75 inches in length.
This bat exhibits heavy use with ball and stitch marks primarily concentrated along the top of the barrel and very wide cleat marks are present along the bottom of the barrel. A 7" section along the handle is heavily covered with pine tar. A repaired 11" H-style handle crack appears along the top of the handle, which partially blends in with the pine tar on the handle. The jersey number, 5, is written in black marker on the knob of the bat and surrounded by a square, which was the jersey number worn by Morales' Cub teammate, Randy Hundley, in 1976. Additional writing is visible beneath this jersey number, but is not legible due to the additional of the number 5.
Morales enjoyed an extensive 15 year career in the big leagues, in which he racked up 1,173 hits while batting .259 throughout. In 1976, Morales recorded one of his best seasons batting .274 with 147 hits, the second highest mark of his career. During his two stints with the Cubs, Morales was known for his work at the plate, but also for his above average speed and defense at every outfield position.
This bat grades out at the MEARS A6 grade with five points for the base grade, three points for heavy use, and a two point deduction for being a two-player bat.
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