Summer Premium Live and Catalog Auction

Lot #5: 1973 Hank Aaron Game Used and Signed Bat Atrributed to HR #695 by Hank Aaron Letter (MEARS A9 & Aaron LOA, PSA/DNA & JSA)

Description

      On July 8, 1973 the Atlanta Braves faced the pennant-bound New York Mets for the last of a three game series at Shea Stadium. Slugger Hank Aaron, then in his 20th season of professional baseball, was but six home runs away from the magic number of 700. Only one man in the history of the game had reached 700 and that was none other than Babe Ruth. In the fourth inning of the Sunday afternoon game, Aaron blasted a George Stone offering over the wall for career home run number 695. Before the day was over he'd hit another one out of the park and leave the Stadium only four short of the milestone 700.

      According to Hank Aaron, for which he has written and signed a letter this is the bat Aaron used to put him five away from baseball immortality. The Hillerich & Bradsby model A99 bat is un-cracked and shows moderate game use. The barrel shows several ball marks, one of which being number 695. The upper handle has a coat of pine tar and bat rack paint streaks can be seen throughout. Consistent with his game used bats of this period, Aaron's famous number "44" has been hand written on both the knob and barrel ends. Model number "A99" is stamped into the knob. The center brand and signature stamping are dark, contrasting nicely with the golden glow of the bat. The bat experts at MEARS have established that the bat's specs of 35-inch length and 31-ounce weight match those ordered by Aaron in 1973, though they are unable to state that the bat was used to hit home run 695. However, a signed letter from Hank Aaron himself accompanies the bat and reads in part: "you are in possession of the baseball bat used by me to hit my career 695th home run in 1973". Best of all, Aaron has signed the barrel of his bat in blue marker, adding the all-important number of "695". An incredible piece of baseball history signed and inscribed by the man who used it. This bat comes with a Letter of Authenticity from JSA (Y48044), PSA/DNA (W05839) and MEARS who have graded this Aaron gamer A9.

Final Bid (Includes Buyers Premium):$15,600
Minimum Bid:$2,500
Estimate:$15,000+
Number of Bids:26