This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/1/2015
Before he was "Mr. October" and long before he was a member of the 500 home run club, a Yankees legend or a Hall of Famer, Reggie Jackson was a green 22-year-old outfielder for the Oakland Athletics in the midst of his first full professional season. This bat comes from Jackson's first season. While playing for Oakland in the 1968 season, Reggie Jackson ordered 12 bats of this model as verified by his personal H&B shipping records.
Dating (1968): With the center brand label dating from the 1965-68 era, this bat is pinpointed to 1968 specifically due to the one time recording of this model bat on 5-17-68.
Length 35": Per Reggie Jackson's H&B shipping records, he requested this K75 model bat to be ordered once during the 1968 season.
Weight (32 ounces): Currently weighing 32 ounces, this bat is consistent with the factory recorded weight of 34 ounces, as bats have been documented to lose weight over time.
Model K75: Per Reggie Jackson's H&B personal bat records, during the years 1967-71 he ordered the K75 model bat.
Recorded H&B Shipping Record: Inspection of Reggie Jackson's personal H&B shipping records reveals the following order:
5-17-68, K75, FB (flame burned) 35", 34 ounce, 12 ash bats.
Finish: Although the order calls for a flame burned finish, this bat was shipped with none.
Game Use: Examination reveals light game use. Inspection of the handle shows an approximate 4" crack which runs cleanly along the grain. Due to the light overall use on the remainder of the bats' surfaces, this bat most likely was cracked early in its career, thus causing an early retirement and light overall use.
Several distinct ball marks are found above the facsimile barrel stamping.
Autograph: There is a signature on the bat that was deemed non-authentic by the staff of JSA.
Final Grade (MEARS A6.5): 5 base points awarded for bat matching factory records, 1 point for use (clearly evidenced via the handle crack), plus ½ point for matching one time factory record. H0428