HOF Game used bats
 

I exhibit my vast collection of over 300 game used bats, mostly Hall of Famers, on my Instagram, which is @magic_waters. If anyone uses IG and wants to check it out, would love to connect there as well. Keep this GU post alive. Love it.

Mail day
 

Not really a new pickup, as I was just able to prove what it is the other day. Probably a boring story to most everyone but me, but I will share it anyway. I love the little stories of the obscure guys; regular joes who didn't quite get there, or maybe got to have a minute in the sun.

I got this in trade last year very reasonably, I had to give up one of my favorite big side-written big bats of a minor league guy for it.
But when I got it in hand, I became a little suspicious of what it might be.

At just 30" long, and 40 ounces, it had the feel of Wee Willie Keeler. The labeling period was 1916-1922, so it would be post-career for sure if I could even prove it. Still, for a Yankee GU bat collector, a pro model Keeler sure fills a big hole.
Using both black lights and infrared, I was able to decipher the side writing on the barrel read "40 oz Virgil Hetzel 3-23-24". I spent months trying to track down this guy. I found someone in the Baseball Reference with a same last name playing for Kalamazoo in '21. Long story short, I emailed the public libraries of Kalamazoo, who directed me to Philadelphia, who got me to Cincinnati, and the trail sort of stopped.
I then sent the bat to Mr. Taube, who confirmed for me that it was indeed a Willie Keeler model. Where Hetzel got the bat was uncertain. Perhaps he ordered it direct, or possibly in his minor league travels he crossed paths with Keeler, who was a coach and scout after he retired.
While I was happy to have a Keeler model, I couldn't help but remain curious about who Virgil Hetzel was, and how he got the bat.
By total coincidence, I got the bat back last week, and on that very night, I received an email from a woman I had emailed as part of my search. It turns out that she is indeed related to him. She confirmed that he (or his son) was part of the Philadelphia minor league system, and sent me a newspaper article from Dayton, where Hetzel lived. The article specifically references Hetzel's "short, thick and especially-made bludgeon", leaving no doubt that this is the same guy. Although he never made the majors, at least on that night, Virg Hetzel was the local hero, quite possibly using the same bat.
With that, I finally feel like I can bring this story to a successful conclusion.
For me, this is one of my favorite parts to the hobby. While everyone naturally wants to find the next Gehrig or Shoeless Joe gamer, I love to find those tiny moments in history that were otherwise lost, and bring them back. The woman said she was the "family historian" and I believe she was quite happy to know that I had found his bat. She said she would round up all of the information she had on him. I can't wait to see it, and who knows, just maybe there will be a brief appearance by Wee Willie himself.

That's awesome congrats! I to enjoy the history part of our memorabilia and the connections that can be found if we search and ask. Sometimes we strike out but doesn't sound like you did:)

Great story and detective work, Sean.

As a fellow game used bat collector, how do we know this is a Keeler model bat? Simply because it is a 30’’ 40oz bat?

Thanks guys. This is really the stuff I enjoy doing, and I realize that I will strike out sometimes (ok, a lot). The cool part is that sometimes, just when you think you struck out, suddenly everything falls into place.

To Brendan's question: Naturally, I cannot speak for how PSA does it, but I have learned to use a combination of methodologies, mostly through trial and error. Length, weight, ordering records, etc. are a good start. Then there are caliper measurements, knob variations, and some other tricks I have developed to put together a series of clues to help out. Finally, if you can get a good photo, that is a free cookie. But I do not seem to have great luck with that.
Honestly, most of it is simply contacting public libraries and historical societies and asking lots of questions. You never know what you will dig up. I once hit the jackpot crawling through the University of South Carolina library archives for an obscure photo that wasn't even related to baseball.
I think it was extra-amazing luck for Virgil, because what are the odds that I would find his descendant, she would know who I was talking about, AND she happened to be the family historian who kept a ton of documentation on him?

I don’t check this thread often, but I took a look today and I saw Mike’s bat display. Man, that is without a doubt the best bat display that I have seen. The large photo above really just increases the visual appeal. Congrats on an awesome display; love it!

Just picked this up...Juan Uribe gamer. Juan only played two years for the Giants but had a career year for HRs and RBIs in the Giants World Series year of 2010. He hit an 8th inning go ahead HR in the game 6 NLCS clincher against the Phillies. He left the Giants after that year and went to the Evil Empire down south for basically an extra million. It all worked out, since he was nothing in LA and it opened the door for Brandon Crawford. Karma. :cool:

Game used/issued bat SALE
 

Hi guys. Created a new thread for this, but since this is by far the best game used bat one on the site, I figured I would cross post to make sure it got to the right collectors. Game Used and autographed Bats sale. Selling some game used/issued/model bats. Price includes shipping. Please email Info@MagicWaters.com with any questions. Thank you.

Alan Trammell game used, autographed and "1984 World Series MVP" inscribed 1980-83 era L/S bat. BP use. Both signature (AL39694) and bat (1B28047) are PSA authenticated (graded 5 because of BP use). $1,250.00

ULTRA RARE Carlos Baerga game used Mariners Rawlings bat. Most know Carlos Baerga as the three time All Star and two time Silver Slugger with the Indians and Mets. But most do not know that he signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2001, but was released prior to the start of that season. Consequently, few game used bats, if any at all, from Baerga's tenure with the Mariners have ever been available. Here you have one such black Rawlings bat. Bat has very good use and is guaranteed to pass PSA authentication, or full refund. $119.99

Gorgeous Brad Penny game used Marlins Rawlings bat. 2-time All Star. Great use and tape job on handle. Has "Penny" and "31" on knob. Bat is guaranteed to pass PSA/DNA authentication, or full refund. SOLD

Hammered Will Cordero game used Expos Rawlings bat. Bat of this former All Star and Silver Slugger award winner. Obtained during 1993-94 era. Great game use. Has his number "12" on knob. Bat guaranteed to pass PSA authenticity for game use, or full refund. $69.99

New HOF Todd Helton game issued Mizuno bat. PSA authenticated. Helton is doing an upcoming autograph signing, and this would be a great piece to get signed. $500

2023 All Star Austin Hays game used, signed and inscribed B-45 bat. The bat is MLB Authenticated and was used by Austin to get a single against Corey Kluber on 7/25/22, a fact that he has inscribed on the bat in silver sharpie. $415

Willie McCovey game model Hillerich & Bradsby bat. Bat has tons of use, but not being sold as game used by McCovey. Just game model. $500
Barry Bonds game model Young Co. bat. Bat has tons of use, but not being sold as game used by Bonds. Just game model. $500

Dwight "Doc" Gooden 1986 game issued and autographed Rawlings Adirondack bat. PSA authenticated and graded 5 as game issued. Rare nickname Rawlings bat from the Mets' 1986 championship season. SOLD

Keith Hernandez game used Louisville Slugger bat. Bat is hammered. Was originally acquired from Lelands, who represented hat the number 18 on the knob was Keith's. PSA later authenticated and mention in the letter that they believe the #18 was actually another player's. $398

If the Hernandez bat was from his time with the Mets it was used by Strawberry.

Outstanding display, best I've seen. Solid work

Not the thread for selling. Different section

Larry Herndon Game Used Bat
 

Happy to add another 1984 Tiger to the collection.
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Don Sutton PSA 8
 

This is a Don Sutton PSA 8 gamer I recently shared on my Instagram. You can see more at @magic_waters.

New arrival! 1929-31 Lew Fonseca game used bat.

Fonseca was the 1929 American League batting champion (.369) and had a career .316 batting average.

Uncovered bat
 

Recently, a buddy of mine retrieved a box of game used bats that have been in storage for some time. In that box, a bat(given to him by a player), was said to be Brewer's manager Harvey Kuehn's longtime Fungo bat/walking stick. He had a prosthetic leg and used the bat for steadiness. This bat needed help and identification. I wanted to bring it back to life

The bat was completely covered in multiple layers of athletic tape with the outermost dirty and darkened overtime. That layer was crumbly and came off fairly easy. The second layer of tape was dry but stuck to the bat and got messy but removable. The third layer was all the leftover adhesive that was "petrified" to the bat over the last four decades. It was pounded into the grain and looked pretty bad. After he talked of sanding it, I immediately confiscated it and took it home to finish. After 4 hours and LOTS of elbow grease, I managed to bring it back to life. I left the lower handle layers of tape remain to show that this was that bat. I regrettably forgot before pictures, but it turned out great, and he had it back in 24 hrs. and was very pleased.

Uncovering this bat was a thrill for me, and it represents a cool piece of Brewers history.

Thairo Estrada gamer. First bat I've ever gotten with PSA/DNA "certification" which I couldn't care less about. It already has the MLB hologram which dates it to a certain game from 2023. Do I really need an "expert" to expound on that? No. Whatever, it came from Heritage and, while I don't love their buyer's premium, I must say I was very impressed with their service. Shipping was surprisingly reasonable. Thairo is no superstar, but he did win the Willie Mac Award last year (most inspirational player), is a fan favorite and is one of the few brightish spots in the recent forgettable Giants lineups. I like my bats well used and this one is pounded!

In an effort to upgrade my Roberto Clemente game used bat I completed a large trade this week. I paid dearly and let some pieces go that I never believed I could.

My previous bat was a G105 with minimal use, little patina, and no number on the knob. Although it did match his Louisville bat order records, it was clean and other than a few rack marks and a faint ball mark.

This U-1 is from 1965-68 and 36” and 38oz. It has lots of use and great patina. Clemente’s 21 is light but legible and he wrote a few details in pencil on the knob. Best of all the barrel was scored with many long groves that are on the face of the bat.

The way Clemente bats have been increasing in value I feared I would soon be unable to own such a bat. Although the trade hurt I’m pleased with the result.

Congrats Mike! Great bat! :cool:

+100!

I always thought of Roberto as a U1 guy. In fact, he’s the U1 guy!

Thanks Scott and Rob. I’m sure you both understand my elation. It’s an illness…

Wow Mike what an upgrade!

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Love that Clemente Bat!

So, I can now share that I've consigned my Mickey Mantle Game Used Bat (Triple Crown Era) to Heritage's August Platinum Auction. Will be with some incredible company (Ruth Called Shot Jersey, Jackie Robinson Jersey, Gehrig Jersey, Ruth Bat, Shoeless Joe Bat, DiMaggio Jersey, etc, etc). I'm honored. Will be exciting!

Beautiful bat! Good luck I hope you do well.

My favorite U1. This thing is a monster.

That's a nice stick! Like the no knob

Thanks Mike!

Heinie Mueller bat -1920s?
 

I'm not a bat expert but picked this up at an estate sale this weekend in Fort Worth. Looks like he played in the '20s for the Cardinals, Giants and Braves.

This is by far my favorite thread on Net54. So many awesome bats guys!

Michael,

Great Mantle bat! You truly have some really nice game used memorabilia!

Thanks Tony! You have some wonderful items too!

Pretty new to the forum, but collecting since 1971. On my bucket list was a Barry Bonds SAM bat. I want to get the bat signed. What are my chances? However as Muhammed Ali said “Slim, and none. And Slim just left town.” 😂

Same here. It's a pleasure to look at these bats and to learn almost anything about them.

Dusting off this thread for a new season.

I just love it when I can move one of my bats from plastic tube to its own glass case on the Hall of Fame wall. Here is a Dave Parker that I've had for over 30 years. It's an 70's Adirondack 170X from his Pirate days. This war club is 36" long and it's barrel girth won't allow it to fit in a regular tube. I've always cherished this tree trunk. Here's to the Cobra!

Awesome War Club!

Ryne Sandberg Game Used Bat

Speaking of Ryno, does anyone else think fellow second baseman Jeff Kent should get more HOF consideration? Or is it just me? :p

I agree! ;)

The Yankees Torpedo Bat Genius brings wooden bats to the forefront!

As Cinderalla’s and mid-majors are over, professional Bats has been elevated to the next level….

Congrats on the wooden history within this thread….

Torpedo
 

Here is a cert for my torpedo bat. LOL

Funny how they missed a few words in the sentence about no other player bringing a bottle bat to the plate.

The original Torpedo Bat cool!
Only modern analytics of contact spots gave the Yanks the ballz to reshape bats 100 years after the first!

Scott

Ps my logo Bat just got sent to PSA in NJ for Taube to review (2001 Pujols Bat)

Jordan Bat
 

Hey Guys...........I picked this up today from a friend. Not sure on it's history, as his father has passed away. It's unused, 35" long, and 33.4 oz. I know Jordan used Wilson and LVS during the 1994 season, so I'm guessing this was some sort of prototype to try out or just a 'fantasy' bat that a Kissimmee Sticks employee created? Any thoughts? I'm guessing this bat never came within 100 yards of Jordan.

Johnny Grubb Gamers
 

Had these 2 bats signed at the Mark Dehem fundraiser on Saturday.Attachment 657629

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Minor League San Bernadino Spirit, Marc Newfield game used bat got this at San Bernadino after the game