October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
After a great start in AA Birmingham, The Kansas City Athletics brought 21 year-old Reggie Jackson up to The Show in June of 1967. It was the start of a contentious and exciting career that would last over 20 seasons and take him all the way to the Hall of Fame. This is the earliest known Reggie Jackson game used bat and dates from that first rookie season with Kansas City. The bat was attained from the A’s bat boy by Zane Burns, whose notarized letter attesting to its provenance accompanies the bat. The Hillerich & Bradsby MC44 was ordered by Jackson in mid to late 1966 and shows nice game use with a small handle crack. Numerous ball mark and stitch impressions can be seen on the barrel along with bat rack paint streaks. The model number “MC44” is stamped in the knob end. Time has given this bat a particularly warm and beautiful patina. The H&B brand and Reggie’s facsimile signature are both strong and clear. Reggie has added his signature to the bat’s barrel above his endorsement adding his number “44” and “1967 Rookie Bat”. Not only the earliest, but also hands-down the finest looking Reggie Jackson bat in the hobby. Letter of Authenticity from MEARS who has graded this bat A9.