JULY 19TH AUCTION
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/20/2013
The 1967 Reds were a team in gestation. While they had a rock-solid core of players like Pete Rose, Vada Pinson and Tony Perez, the team was still in the process of assembling the group that would become “The Big Red Machine”. In late August of that year, the final cog was in place: rookie catcher Johnny Bench. This extraordinary Pete Rose game used bat has been signed by that ‘67 team and can be dated to the narrow window between Bench’s August 28th debut and the end of the season. The Pete Rose model Louisville Slugger shows good game use with ball marks and scuffs, batting rack streaks and cleat impressions. Charlie Hustle’s famed number “14” is hand written in black marker on the barrel end. Pete has signed the bat along with an amazing 31 other members of this pre-Big Red Machine team including a rookie year Johnny Bench and Hall of Famer Tony Perez. Other signatures are: Milt Pappas, Vada Pinson, Ted Abernathy, Deron Johnson, Lee May, Jim Maloney, Gary Nolan, Chico Ruiz, Jim Coker, Art Shamsky, Don Nottebart, Ted Davidson, Leo Cardenas, John Edwards, Don Pavletich, Bob Lee, Dick Simpson, Bill McCool, Floyd Robinson, Mel Queen, Jimmy Bragan, Tommy Helms, Mel Harder, Whitey Wietelmann, Ray Shore, Tommy Harper, Vern Benson and Gerry Arrigo. All signatures are in green or black felt tip pen. PSA/DNA numbered sticker 1Bo5353 is affixed to the knob end. Certificate of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.