This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2012
Baseball fans of the 1970s will all remember NBC’s Baseball Game of the Week. Before the days of cable, satellite and ESPN, junkies of the National Pastime had to get there weekly fix by tuning in to “The Game of the Week”. Hosted by Tony Kubek and Joe Garagiola, America anxiously awaited the rare chance to see their heroes on their Sony or Zenith 24” sets.
On June 25th, 1977, one lucky fan had the rare opportunity to be a part of the weekly experience, and take this lot home as a souvenir.
Per the consignors very own words,
“The bat was given to me on June 25th, 1977 by Pete prior to a 7-6 victory over the LA Dodgers at
Riverfront Stadium. 50,062 fans were in attendance and Pete went 1-5 that day with a double. (This
wasn’t that bat, as he had already given me this one!)
It was the Game of the Week with Tony Kubek and Joe Garagiola. I was 11 years old. Vin Scully, a friend of the family, took me out onto the field during batting practice and attempted to take a picture of Pete and me together, but the camera didn't work. Pete came up to me from behind a few minutes later, tapped me on the shoulder, gave it to me and said "You didn't get a picture, so here's a bat. Never did me any damn good anyway!" Pete had gone 0-4 the night before against Tommy John. Pete went on to hit .311 that year with 204 hits and was voted a NL All-star (for the 11th time...17 times in his career at 5 different positions). He also coincidentally ended that day at the .311 mark. I would have been more than happy for the picture to be my souvenir of the event, but a game used Pete Rose bat was even better.”
Although Pete Rose may have been frustrated with the bats’ previous day’s results, he may have been
embellishing a little to make a small boy happy, as the bat has evidence of heavy game use which would have occurred for several games or even weeks before the June 25th date.
Measuring 35” and currently weighing 36 ounces, this 1971-79 label Adirondack is marked 69A on the
knob, the model documented to have been used by Rose during the era. The very unique player trait of
number “14” is neatly applied in Pete Rose fashion on the knob in period black marker.
The game use can only best be described as heavy, with heavy game use evenly distributed from knob
to barrel end. Heavy ball marks are found on all surfaces of the barrel end. Dozens of multiple ball
marks are also found on all surfaces of the barrel, especially above and below the ROSE barrel stamping. Red “Riverfront” era rack marks are found in four locations of the barrel, along with one blue rack mark, indicating the bat was used both home and on the road.
Final Grade (MEARS A9.5): Base grade of 5 points for bat matching factor records (length, weight,
model), 3 points for heavy game use, and 2 points for provenance/documented uniform number on
knob. Minus ½ point for slight flaking of the “BIG STICK” barrel markings.
To date, this is the finest documented Adirondack bat evaluated by MEARS to date. With heavy game
use, nice aesthetics, and great provenance, this bat is suitable for only the finest of Pete Rose bat collections.
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS Auctions