2019 Summer Premium Live and Catalog Auction Lots 1-82 Close Aug 1- 83-end close 8/10

Lot #18: Historic 1970 Pete Rose All-Star Game Used & Signed Hillerich & Bradsby S2 Model Bat (PSA/DNA GU 9 & Beckett)

Description

With perhaps the exception of Ty Cobb, there was no ballplayer in history who wanted to win at all costs more than Peter Edward Rose. Even during the years when he was an undisputed superstar, Rose still went to spring training thinking he had to win his job on the team. No event in Pete Rose’s career demonstrates his blind desire to win than the 1970 All-Star Game. While most players looked at the Midsummer Classic as a meaningless exhibition game, to Pete it was just another game he had to win.

The game was held in Pete’s home, Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium, and was tied at 4-all going into the bottom of the 12th inning. With two outs, Pete Rose and Billy Grabarkewitz hit back-to-back singles. Then Jim Hickman lined a single to centerfielder Amos Otis. Seeing Rose round third, Otis fired a laser strike to catcher Ray Fosse who waited for Rose in front of the plate. Knowing there were already two outs and the game on the line, Rose barreled right into Fosse, knocking the ball from his glove and giving the NL the win. The game had the highest viewership for an All-Star Game to date and the dramatic and violent conclusion before the record audience forever dispelling any doubt as to Pete Rose’s drive to win.

This bat was one of two specially produced for Pete Rose for use in that 1970 All-Star Game. The Hillerich & Bradsby S2 model bat carries the special “ALL STAR GAME CINCINNATI 1970” stamped into the barrel above and below Rose’s facsimile signature. The bat is un-cracked and displays light use. A few ball marks are visible on the right and back barrel and a light coat of pine tar is found on the handle. The model number “S2” is stamped into the knob and Rose’s number “14” has been handwritten in black marker. Rose has signed the barrel in blue marker adding “Hit King #4256”. An outstanding artifact from the All-Star Game that helped forge Pete Rose’s legend as the game’s fiercest competitor. The bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B15975) for the game use and has been graded a near-perfect GU 9, plus a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A56138) for the signature.

Final Bid (Includes Buyers Premium):$10,800
Minimum Bid:$3,500
Number of Bids:16