This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2012
By the end of the 1985 season, Paul Molitor had amassed over 1,000+ hits, and was well on his way
to the 3,000 club. Judging by the heavy use on this bat, Molitor certainly banged out several hits with this hickory model on his voyage to the Hall of Fame. For advanced bat collectors, this Paul Molitor relic boasts several traits, both manufacturer and personal player, that earned this bat a perfect ten rating.
Measuring 34” and currently weighing 30 ounces, this bat was factory documented in the H&B factory
records as being ordered by Molitor. Examination of the foil stamped “Paul Molitor” barrel signature
and the style of the centerbrand indicate this bat was manufactured during the 1984-85 seasons. His
personal H&B factory records specifically indicate his request for the bat to be supplied in Hickory, which is the reason for the brown finish. Records also verify the ordering of the H176 model, his favorite since 1977. Besides the specific reference to model, length, weight, and finish, the bat boasts a very desirable personal trait, the painted white 4.
In an interview conducted by bat authenticator Troy Kinunen of MEARS, Molitor stated, “For most of my career, I personally applied the uniform number to my bats. I did it all during my stay in Milwaukee, and added the 19 in Toronto. This served two purposes. For each dozen bats I received, only 2 or 3 were the quality wood I was looking for. The others were used for batting practice. The ones I kept, I would add the 4 to the knob. The hickory finished bats were especially challenging, so I had the clubhouse kids keep a special white marker in my locker. Those white fours were added by me.”
The game use is very heavy on this hickory example. Starting at the knob, an even application of use is evenly distributed reaching towards the barrel end. In the area directly above and below the facsimile barrel signature are dozens of ball marks and deeply embedded stitch marks. These are some of the deepest and most distinct ball marks ever seen on a Molitor bat. One blue American League ball mark is also present on the back of the barrel, most likely a foul ball. Bat appears to have been used for an extended period of time, and only a handle crack (10” running evenly with the grain) rendered this Molitor favorite obsolete.
A near mint silver signature, “Best Wishes, Paul Molitor” offers perfect contrast against the dark hickory finish.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): Base grade of 5 points were assigned for bat matching factory records, 3
points for heavy game use, and 2 points for documented uniform number and player use traits.
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS