Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
Great bat dating right to the sweet spot of Clemente's career. The Puerto Rican superstar batted a combined .325 during the 1965-68 seasons and was the NL's MVP in '66. He led the league in batting average in 1965 with .329 and again in 1967 with .357. Clemente's Hillerich & Bradsby model U1 bat exhibits heavy use and the back handle has a very slight crack. Many ball marks and stick impressions can be seen on the barrel and the grain on the left and right barrel has been scored. Green and blue bat rack streaks are visible and a light coat of pine tar is present on the handle. Model number "U1" is stamped into the knob and his immortal "21" is hand written on the knob end in black marker. This is a classic Clemente bat with all the characteristics present: the scoring on the barrel is seen on some game used Clemente's which were done to add backspin when contacting the ball, and his "21" is written in the style most associated with a Clemente bat. If that isn't enough, the bat comes with a signed letter from the son of the man (long time employee at Forbes Field) who acquired it from the Pirates legend himself in the mid-1960's. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA who have graded this bat a perfect GU 10.