This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/28/2011
One of the highest graded Wade Boggs New York Yankees era bats offered (one of three MEARS A10 bats graded). Based on visual appeal, factory stampings, and contrast of wood and game use, this is the finest example. The degree of game use indicates this bat was a favorite of Boggs, used over an extended portion of a season.
This specimen exhibits heavy Wade Boggs personal player characteristics in the form of heavy use with deep stitch marks, heavy pinetar, and his documented style #12 uniform number on the knob.
Dating 1993-97: Per the intersection of his career with the New York Yankees (1993-1997) and the overall H&B centerbrand dating (1991-1997), this bat is dated per the intersection of dating to 1993-1997.
Model number B349C: Stamped on the barrel end is B349. The presence of the barrel cupping makes this this “C” (cupped” model.
Length 34.5” Per Wade Boggs' personal H&B ordering records, this bat was shipped to the New York Yankees for Wade Boggs from March 3rd, 1993 through September 15th, 1997.
Weight 32 ounces: Wade Boggs' personal H&B ordering records, this bat was shipped to the New York Yankees for Wade Boggs from March 3rd, 1993 through September 15th, 1997.
Finish: As verified by the H&B shipping records as requested by Wade Boggs, this bat has a flame burned finished.
Game Use: Bat exhibits heavy, optimal game use. Beginning our examination at the knob and working up, the knob exhibits signs of handling, and a heavy coating of game use patina in the form of compressed dirt, pinetar, sweat, and overall contact of bat to player. This patina of game use continues to the barrel end of the bat. On the area of the player facsimile barrel signature, game use can be found in all areas of this end. Specific and distinct game used can be found below the facsimile barrel signature and manifested in the form of dozens of clustered, deeply embedded ball marks.
In an area 7” from the knob is a light coating of pinetar. Moving up the bat, in an 8” area near the centerbrand, is a more heavily concentrated area of heavy, translucent pinetar. Both the application and consistency is appropriate for what would be expected to be found on game used Wade Boggs bats.
The pinetar is perfectly applied and the overall use is consistent with what should be seen on high end Wade Boggs game used bats.
Uniform #12: The style, formation and black sharpie marker is consistent with other Boggs' number 12 (Yankees era) as examined by MEARS.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): 5 points base grade for bat matching factory records, 3 points for heavy game use, 1 point for documented uniform number, one point for extra player characteristics (pinetar application).
MEARS LOA/Troy R. Kinunen
(MEARS LOA)