Where do we start with this bat. Should we just say that it is the greatest and rarest Carew bat known to exist. We could but a few details would be in order. Just to give a little background, Carew played for the Twins from 1967-78 and for the Angels from 1979-85. He was an 18 time All Star.In the 1977 season, Carew batted .388, which at the time was the highest since Boston's Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941, and won the American League's Most Valuable Player award, the year this bat was used. He is a member of the elusive 3000 hit club with a total of 3,053 dingers.
On June 9, 1977 this bat was returned to the factory and recorded as the new thin handle model C243 where upon is was vault marked on both ends and kept by the factory as the template for all new models using the original Galen finish. Being able to date this bat to his 1977 MVP season would be good enough but this bat even comes with a letter from Rod Carew himself on Twins letterhead dated 2002.
Player:Rodney Carew
Block/Script Name:Script
Label Period:1977-79
Year/s Used:1977
Teams Played During Era of Bat:Minnesota Twins
Other Teams Played:
Majors:California Angels 1979-85
Minors:
Manufacture: H&B
Model Number:C243 stamped on barrel
Length:34.5"
Weight:32 oz.
Side Writing:None
Vault Marks:Yes, C243 stamped on knob and barrel
Shipping Label:No
Game Use:Moderate
Ball Marks:Left Side
Swelling:Left Side
Grain Separation:No
Cleat Marks:Just a couple last tow inches
Rack Marks:Yes
Nails/Screws:No
Pine Tar:No
Handle Tape:No
Handle Crack:No
Barrel Crack:No
Dents/Gouges:No
Wood:Ash, Galen finish.
Autographed:Yes, blue sharpie. PSA LOA.
Uniform Number:No
Knob Markings:Vault
Barrel End Markings:Vault
Provenance:Yes, Factory records and Carew LOA.
Factory Records:Yes
Player Traits:Special order
Grade:MEARS A10 with 5 base points, 2 use points and 2 points combined for Vault marks, Carew Letter.
MEARS Bat Index Report: MEARS has graded a total of 18 Carew bats. There have been (3) examples dating to the 1977-79 era. A grade of 9 is the highest recorded score to date. This is the only known factory returned vault marked example.
Comments:Someone at factory wrote model notes on handle in blue pen as follows; 42 oz, 34 1/2" 32 oz.
Inventory Number:00280
Collection of MEARS staff:No