This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/27/2011
Offered is a block letter last name only model G163 that shows tremedous game use with deep ball and lace marks, perfect factory stamps, his uniform number 23 on the knob with a small 4" handel crack (-1)
Factory records show the first shipment of 35"- 32/33 oz bats sent on 4-8-85 thru 6-13-85.
Gibson was known for hitting clutch home runs. In the eighth inning of Game 5 of the 1984 World Series, he faced Goose Gossage, one of the game's premier relievers, with Detroit up 5-4 and first base open. An intentional (or at least semi-intentional) walk seemed to be in order, especially since Gibson had already homered earlier in the game. But Gossage told San Diego manager Dick Williams he thought he could get the Tigers' right fielder out; indeed, he had struck out Gibson in the latter's very first Major League at-bat in 1979. If the Padres could hold the Tigers and score a couple in the ninth, they would force the Series back to San Diego, and maybe turn the tide. In the Sounds of the Game video, Detroit manager Sparky Anderson was seen in the dugout, yelling at Gibson, "He don't want to walk you!" and making a bat-swinging motion with his hands, the universal baseball gesture for "swing away." Gibson got the message, and launched Gossage's next pitch deep into Tiger Stadium's right field upper deck for a three-run homer, icing the game and the Series for the Tigers.
5 points for base grade, 3 points for heavy game use, plus 1 for documented uniform number, minus 1 for handle crack. LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS Auctions