Went back in e-mails and found my correspondence with the Braves museum. Bat is 35" and 33 oz. Here is what one of the Braves Museum appraisers told me, via the Director of the musem:
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the bat is certainly a game bat from 1974 with very light use. No way to prove that he used in bp or any certain game. Usually bp bats show tons of usage and not very light like this. No way to confirm the story. Autograph looks good. Hank could have written the date but it also could have been written by someone else at the time. No way to know for sure. A collector would pay $2500-$3000 for this bat.
I hope this helps.
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It sounds like it was used by Aaron in '74, so it's confirming the story I need help with. I remember hearing that Hank used a bunch of bats that day in batting practice, because he knew there was a good chance he would break the record. Not sure if Hank told my cousin that, or if it's just conjecture, but I've read about his mindset at the time and it does seem like something he would've done. Especially when you see how many bats he was ordering that year.
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From Troy Kinunen: 1974- History Made with a Louisville Slugger
1974 found Hank Aaron about to break the all time homerun record held by Babe Ruth. The bat Hank Aaron chose to pursue this feat was the Louisville Slugger. With the excitement created by the pursuit of the record, souvenir seekers began to request bats from the Hammer. In an unprecedented move, Hank Aaron ordered 116 Louisville Slugger bats during the 1974 season. On 4-24-74 Hank made a special request that was found on the shipping records. He asked for the bats to have no finish applied. 56 unfinished bats were shipped for Hank to use during the 1974 season. As an authenticator, I have noticed that many of the bats from the 1972-75 season are absent of the heavy game use found on bats from earlier in Hank’s career. The amount of bats ordered substantiate these findings as the demand for Aaron bats were high, and Hank was prepared to quickly replace bats as they were being removed from his possession.
Complete 1974 Records:
1974 A99 35” 33 ounce 12 ash bats (WG, mk wts)
1974 A99 35” 33.5 ounce 12 ash bats (WG, mk wts)
1974 A99 35” 33 ounce 36 ash bats (WG, mk wts)
New request found on shipping records:
“DO NOT PUT LACQUER OR TOP COAT ON BARREL END.
FILLER ONLY”
1974 A99 35” 33 ounce 24 ash bats (WG, mk wts)
1974 A99 35” 33 ounce 2 ash bats (All Star Game)
1974 A99 35” 33 ounce 30 ash bats (WG, mk wts)
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