This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2013
1965 Roberto Clemente MINNESOTA H&B Louisville Slugger All Star Game Used Bat (MEARS A10) – Gifted by clubhouse attendant
For the 1965 All Star Game, the American League was once again at a disadvantage as the National League assembled one of the most amazing batting line-ups ever to share an All-Star roster. The game was played on July 13th, 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium.
It included such legends as Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Willie Stargell, Richie Allen, Joe Torre, Ernie Banks, Pete Rose, Maury Wills, Roberto Clemente and Frank Robinson. Still, the '65 game was close and tied 5-5 in the seventh. Then Sam McDowell walked Mays who went to third on Aaron's single and scored on Ron Santo's infield single. The win gave the National League the lead in the series for the first time (18-17-1).
For the March 2013 MEARS Auction, we are proud to present 3 of the bats from the game.
48 years ago, the Twins visiting clubhouse manager was in charge of the National League dugout. Immediately after the game, as a “tip” for the services provided to the N.L. All Stars, he was awarded a large grouping of the Louisville Slugger specially marked All Star game bats that were issued to the N.L. squad. Over the next 30 years, friends, neighbors and local kids were given the 1965 All Star game bats that he had accumulated. Aaron, Stargell, Rose, and F. Robby were gone, given away as gifts. Our consignor was one of those lucky recipients. Now in her 70’s, a lifetime and current Minneapolis resident, she saved the Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, and Roberto Clemente bats that were personally gifted to her by the Twins visiting clubhouse manager. These bats can be traced from the dugout, to the clubhouse attendant, directly to our consignor. They are fresh to the hobby and have never been publicly displayed or offered for sale.
This lot contains the 1965 Roberto Clemente bat. As was the practice of Louisville Slugger to present the players with two bats for the midsummer classic, this bat is stamped,
“1965 ALL STAR GAME, Roberto Clemente, MINNESOTA”.
The bat measures 36” in length, weighs 34.5 ounces, and has his preferred “U1” model number stamped on the knob.
Regarding game use, the bat is evaluated as heavy as defined by the definition of event specific criteria. Clemente went 0-2 that game, so the use is consistent with a one game special event bat. In the area directly above the facsimile barrel stamping, there are 7 deeply embedded stitch/ball marks. It is my opinion these were applied by Clemente during the course of the All Star game, BP, at-bat, foul tips, etc. The second bat that was issued to Clemente for the 1965 All Star game was sold via public auction. The bat contained very heavy use, consistent with extended use after the All Star game. Therefore, this supports the probability that this was the bat used during the All Star game, as the provenance states the bat was collected and gifted immediately after the game.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): Base grade of 5 points was assigned for bat matching factory records. 3 points are automatically assigned for All Star issuance. 2 points were assigned for heavy use. LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS
(D0203)