October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
Opening day in Major League Baseball Is an American tradition, a day when every team wipes the slate from the previous season and embarks on a freshly paved road toward the post-season, with the World Series Championship the ultimate prize awaiting 1 lucky squad. That road took an unusual detour for 2 teams in 2004, as the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays opened that season with a 2-game set in Tokyo, Japan.
And while the series was most notable as a homecoming for Hideki Matsui, who had played in Japan for 10 years prior to signing with the Yankees in 2003, it was also the Yankees debut of new third baseman Alex Rodriguez. The reigning American League MVP, A-Rod had been acquired from the Texas Rangers on February 16, 2004, in a blockbuster trade that sent Alfonso Soriano to Arlington. Rodriguez had agreed to move to the hot corner to play alongside Yankee shortstop and legend-in-the-making Derek Jeter. Batting from the 3-hole, A-Rod went a combined 1-for-9 in the 2 game series with a run scored, but he would eventually find his stroke, finishing his first season in pinstripes at .286 with 36 HR’s and 106 RBI.
This Louisville Slugger C271 model bat A-Rod used during the series, arguably the first bat he ever used as a member of the Yankees, is un-cracked and shows excellent use. The barrel has several ball marks and stitch impressions including blue ink transfers. There are several cleat imprints and the impression from a weighted batting donut visible. A light coat of Mota Stick is on the handle and A-Rod has signed the barrel in silver marker adding "2004 Japan Series". An Arod hologram #1018 is affixed to the barrel next to the signature. Letter of Authenticity (H53726) from PSA/DNA who have graded this bat a perfect GU 10, as well as an LOA from JSA with regards to signature.