March Premium Auction Ending April 3, 5 & 6
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/6/2021
After two postseason trips that ended in disappointment, the Philadelphia Phillies knew there was only one ball player who could add that extra "something" to get them to the World Series: Pete Rose. The Philadelphia organization deemed the acquisition of Rose of such importance that for a time he became the game's highest paid player, eclipsing their own star Mike Schmidt. The gamble paid off and Rose indeed proved to be the key needed to get to the Series. Rose hit .282 and led the NL with 42 doubles as Philadelphia stormed to the pennant. In the NLCS against Houston, Rose clobbered Astros’ pitching to the tune of .400 and pounded 6 hits in the Phils’ victory over Kansas City for the World Championship – the first in franchise history. Through that 1980 season Pete Rose demonstrated how his gritty determination could almost single-handedly change an entire team's destiny.
Offered here is one of the sticks used by Rose during the World Series Champion 1980 season. This unique Louisville slugger R211 model bat has a “Hornsby” finish and displays outstanding game use. This un-cracked bat has ball marks, cleat imprints and checking or grain swelling from repeated ball contact present on the barrel. This bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B19519) for the game use and has been given a very high grade of GU 9.5.