This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/5/2015
For collectors searching for the very best, we are proud to offer the following lot.
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (born May 12, 1925) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, manager, and coach. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career (1946–1965) for the New York Yankees. Berra is one of only four players to be named the Most Valuable Player of the American League three times. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Berra is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history.
For collectors, anything Yankees is pure gold. For this lot, we have a real pinstriped treasure. Titled, “1951-59 Yogi Berra New York Yankees H&B Louisville Slugger Professional Model Game Used Bat (MEARS A9) “Painted 8, Used During 5 World Championship Span” this bat is factory recorded and dates to a timespan when Yogi Berra won 3 MVP awards and 5 World Championships. Simply put, one of the finest known Berra bats in the world from one of the greatest stretches of Yankees history. MEARS has conducted a complete evaluation of this bat, the results:
Dating (1951-59): Per the MEARS official bat centerbrand guide, the centerbrand of this bat was manufactured during the 1951-59 era.
Length 35”: Bat measures 35” which is consistent with what Yogi Berra ordered during the referenced label period.
Weight 34 ½ ounces: Currently weighing 34 ½ ounces, Berra’s records documented his bats averaged 32-35 ounces in weight. This bat falls within an accepted range for Berra bats from the era.
Model R43: The model R43 was first adopted by Berra in 1947 and favored by him until his retirement in 1963.
Game Use: Bat exhibits heavy game use with many visible ball marks. Stitch marks are also present. The handle has been cracked and glued. On the reverse barrel there is a thin layer of deadwood that is visible but has not separated. The deadwood is consistent with heavy, legitimate game use. The deadwood has been glued and is noticeable only under close inspection. Light cleat marks are scattered on the barrel.
Autograph: A near mint “Yogi Berra” autograph is perfectly centered on the barrel.
Uniform Number 8: A vintage, painted 8 appears on the knob. The painted 8’s are typically associated with the early-mid 1950s and are rarely found and quite desirable.
Final Grade MEARS A9: Base grade of 5 points was assigned for bat matching factory records. 3 points were assigned for heavy game use. 2 points were assigned for player traits including painted 8 on knob, minus 1 for the deadwood repair on reverse of barrel / repair on handle.
According to the PSA SMR (Sports Market Report), Yogi Berra game used bats are valued at $9,000 and are noted as, “pre-1960 Yogi Berra bats sell for a premium. “ Price realized include:
(Signed PSA/DNA GU 8.5 1961-63 Yogi Berra bat sold for $11,352 in 2012)
(Signed 1951-52 Yogi Berra bat sold for $23,700 in 2013 - it was graded PSA/DNA GU 10)
Signed PSA/DNA GU 7, 1961 Yogi Berra bat sold for $10,157 in 2015)
Used during a span where Yogi Berra won 3 MVP awards and guided the New York Yankees to 5 World Championships, this bat is fitting of the most advanced New York Yankees collection. (76D0352)
(JSA Auction Letter)