Team Bat Sets

[Dave Grob]

For me, yes and no. While most are H&B 1961-1963 labeling period, a few or either side of that, but not by much. Not too many of these guys had careers that ran into the 1970s (Robinson & Pinson did), but even with those guys, I think I would have held out for something period.

I do have one I know is from the 1961 season as the Pinson bat is a 1961 World Series H&B.

Dave Grob

[Mark]

I guess I take a pretty easy-going approach. I'd be satisfied with the 8 regulars and their platoon partners. If a player didn't make it on the playoff roster or WS roster, I wouldn't make a great effort to get the bat. But maybe I'm not taking it seriously enough yet!

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Dave Grob

For me, yes and no. While most are H&B 1961-1963 labeling period, a few or either side of that, but not by much. Not too many of these guys had careers that ran into the 1970s (Robinson & Pinson did), but even with those guys, I think I would have held out for something period.

I do have one I know is from the 1961 season as the Pinson bat is a 1961 World Series H&B.

Dave Grob

Impressive! Were H&B and Adirondack the only MLB approved makers at that time. Are most of your Reds H&B's?

On a side note, I have a 1961-63 Adirondack white letter Willie Mays. The bat is beautiful, Willie was at the height of his powers and he had a contract with Adirindack, thus it has a full, script signature....yet, block letter "MAYS" H&B's seem to bring more money

[baseball tourist]

I have dabbled in the collection of a 1977 Toronto Blue Jays team bat set. Being its the first season makes it interesting to me and with a roster of non stars makes it somewhat affordable.

There are 21 position players and I have an Ernie Whitt, Jim Mason, Otto Velez, Dave McKay, Doug Ault, Steve Staggs and Al Woods. 14 to go.

[perezfan]

I just have "The Great Eight" from the 1975-76 Reds.

I have felt no need to go any further with it. Never felt compelled to collect Pitchers' Bats, or guys like Bill Plummer and Merv Rettenmund. Nothing at all against them... just not as meaningful, or on the same plane as the starters.

It all comes down to personal preference, I guess. Plus I had plenty of other ways to part with money at the time.

[Dave Grob]

Mark,

Interesting that bring up the 1975-1976 Reds. Very popular team set, consistent starters for both years and no shortage of those bats (Not that they are cheap). But what you may be forced to go after really depends on the team.

80% of a 162 game schedule is 130 games. Every one of the “The Great Eight” hit that 80% threshold for both the 1975 and 1976 seasons. But with other clubs, it’s not always so clean.

Consider the 1969 New York Mets, another very popular team set. For those largely recognized as starters for that club, only Cleon Jones and Tommy Agee hit the 80% mark. The 1969 Mets had 11 position players with over 100 games.

Dave Grob

[Bpm0014]

1. What team? T206 set.
2. Why you picked it? Love the players associated with the T206 set.
3. Toughest bat of the set (NOT the most expensive)? Most are impossible.
4. Was there one that got away? Recently in REA, Wildfire Schulte went for $13,200 with the juice. Insane!
5. How close are you? I have about 30 with one duplicate (Harry Davis). So not close at all!

[Dave Grob]

I think we can close the thread. I don't think we are going to find a more interesting or challenging team bat set than the "T206" set.

Dave Grob

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Dave Grob

Mark,

Interesting that bring up the 1975-1976 Reds. Very popular team set, consistent starters for both years and no shortage of those bats (Not that they are cheap). But what you may be forced to go after really depends on the team.

80% of a 162 game schedule is 130 games. Every one of the “The Great Eight” hit that 80% threshold for both the 1975 and 1976 seasons. But with other clubs, it’s not always so clean.

Consider the 1969 New York Mets, another very popular team set. For those largely recognized as starters for that club, only Cleon Jones and Tommy Agee hit the 80% mark. The 1969 Mets had 11 position players with over 100 games.

Dave Grob

I would usually be OK with the starting lineup, but this would include platoon players (e.g. Clendenon and Kranepool). And when a role player like Al Weis makes an important contribution in a playoff game or world series, then I don't think a set would not be complete without it. For example, I have been going after the 1925 Pirates bats, and I would love to add a Stuffy McInnis to it. He wasn't a regular, but he had a big hit in game 7. But I don't think that bat will ever be available.

[jcmtiger]

Detroit Tigers World Series Black bats.

[Bugsy]

The 1924 St. Paul Saints.

I have been working on a Saints collection for a long time now. My initial interest began almost 25 years ago when my father and I found some old ticket stubs of games my grandfather went to in the early 20s. 1924 was particularly interesting because the Saints won the Junior World Series that year.

They are extremely obscure. I have 8 or 9 from the players from the team so far. First of all, it wouldn't surprise me if most of the players on the team didn't even have their own model bats. Secondly, who back in 1920s would have saved broken bats of no-name players? Superstars will always command top dollar, but their must be dozens of Babe Ruth used bats out there for every Bruno Haas bat. Most of my bats survived because they are Hillerich vault bats.

I missed out on two bats so far. Nick Allen and Oscar Roettger. Making it more difficult, many of the Saints played for the 1920s Yankees teams. 12 of the 1927 Yankees played for the Saints. That might sound like a cool historical footnote, but it is a massive pain in the ass when you're a collector.

It is a set that is impossible to complete, but the search is the best part.

Chris

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

I have dabbled in the collection of a 1977 Toronto Blue Jays team bat set. Being its the first season makes it interesting to me and with a roster of non stars makes it somewhat affordable.

There are 21 position players and I have an Ernie Whitt, Jim Mason, Otto Velez, Dave McKay, Doug Ault, Steve Staggs and Al Woods. 14 to go.

Just added a nice Bob Bailor. Lucky 13 left!

[sphere and ash]

I have the 1927 and 1939 Yankees.

The 1927 Yankees I always wanted for display with the “home run batting eyes” images by Charles Conlon. Conlon didn’t photograph the whole team, so I’ve never felt the need to own Mike Gazella or Julian Wera, though if they ever came up for sale, I suppose I would try (as far as I know, there is only one known bat of each). I do own Waite Hoyt, which was a tough bat, but toughest by far was Ben Paschal. Conlon photographed Paschal, so that was a must have.

For the 1939 Yankees, I only have the starting eight hitters, less Gordon. I increased the difficulty by requiring that each bat be from the 1939 labeling period.

[baseball tourist]

Originally Posted by sphere and ash

I have the 1927 and 1939 Yankees.

The 1927 Yankees I always wanted for display with the “home run batting eyes” images by Charles Conlon. Conlon didn’t photograph the whole team, so I’ve never felt the need to own Mike Gazella or Julian Wera, though if they ever came up for sale, I suppose I would try (as far as I know, there is only one known bat of each). I do own Waite Hoyt, which was a tough bat, but toughest by far was Ben Paschal. Conlon photographed Paschal, so that was a must have.

For the 1939 Yankees, I only have the starting eight hitters, less Gordon. I increased the difficulty by requiring that each bat be from the 1939 labeling period.

Would love to see some of those bats!

[sphere and ash]

Originally Posted by baseball tourist

Would love to see some of those bats!

This image of the 1939 Yankees is missing Dickey, which I added later. The eight of them hit .297.

[bobbvc]

Saw a lot of them in Spring Training those years, mainly playing the Padres in Yuma. Interesting time period for the A's as well. Their great teams of the early-mid 70's having been gutted by free agency and not yet the competitive "Billy Ball" under manager Billy Martin where they crawled back to respectability.
Some of my favorites- Mike Edwards, Mitchell Page, Wayne Gross, Tony Armas,
Jim Essian, Taylor Duncan.
Also collecting 1969 Padres bats which has morphed into a 1969-1976 collection.