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Old 04-08-2019, 07:38 PM
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ullmandds ullmandds is offline
pete ullman
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: saint paul, mn
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Some info I found on PSA site.

Does anyone have any opinions/advice?

WILLIE MAYS


Much like fellow power hitter Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays alternated between H&B and Adirondack professional model bats throughout his career. While his Adirondack bats do feature his signature on the barrel, Mays’ H&B bats are of the block letter variety only since he did not have a signature contract with the company. A small number of the known examples do possess either "W. Mays" on some of his early bats or his full name from the latter portion of his career, but most Mays H&B gamers only feature his last name. Another interesting similarity to Mantle was Mays’ use of pine tar, which evolved over the course of his career. Early on, Mays was inconsistent about his use of the gripping substance. By the mid-1960s, that all changed.

Mays was known to apply a coat of pine tar that would sometimes extend from the base of the handle up past the center brand, a pattern documented in many photos. As a result, well-used bats from this period until the end of his career are as distinct looking as any gamer of the era. In addition, many of the known Mays gamers do feature his primary uniform number "24" marked on the knob. Mays did wear number "14" for a short time during his rookie season, but many of his early bats do not possess a vintage uniform number notation.

Keep in mind that Mays was a player who often hit with the label facing downward, which caused ball marks to cluster on the left barrel in such cases. You will, however, find that heavily-used Mays bats often have contact marks on both sides, which is consistent with his free-swinging approach. Finally, Mays gamers from his time with the New York Giants are far tougher to locate than bats manufactured during his time in San Francisco and with the New York Mets.

SMR PRICE GUIDE
Approximate Value: $7000

Important Notes:

(a 1961-64 Willie Mays bat sold for $18,725)
(a documented Willie Mays HR bat #620 sold for $37,400 in 2004)
(a 1965 Willie Mays HR bat (#491) from the "Roseboro Game" sold for $55,000 in 2012 - it was graded PSA/DNA GU 10)
(a 1969-72 Willie Mays bat sold for $17,925)
(a PSA /DNA GU 9.5, 1970-1972 Willie Mays bat sold for $14,520 in 2014)
(a PSA/DNA GU 10 1954-57 Willie Mays signed bat sold for $40,630 in 2016)
(a PSA/DNA GU 9, 1954-57 Willie Mays signed bat sold for $36,250 in 2016)
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