You'd think the Hall of Fame would get it right

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by perezfan

These HOF Bats were all made in the modern era. Not sure what year they started with (perhaps Matt or some other Bat guy here will know).

The older Induction years are all obviously retroactive, and were limited to 500 Bats as far as I am aware. If anyone here knows differently, please advise...

Perezfan (I'm sorry I don't know your real name),
I am definately not an expert on bats, but I do know that you are correct that the typical number of HOF bats produced is 500/yr. However, I do believe that there were 1500 produced for the 1999 HOF class (Ryan, Brett, Yount, Cepeda). Since Ryan is one of the guys that I collect and I was there for the bat distribution in '99, I know this is correct. As you are probably aware, the HOF bats also come with a retro HOF class bat as well. For example, 1999's HOF Induction also came with a retro bat from 1957 as well, so there are also 1500 of these out there. Perhaps the number of bats produced in recent years is not 500 as well. Food for thought... I hope this helps!

[perezfan]

Scott.. thanks.

I collect Perez and know they reverted back to a distribution of 500 Bats for the 2,000 HOF Class. With the big names involved in the 1999 class, it makes sense that they would produce more (higher demand).

I guess the thing I was really wondering (and I'll try to word it more clearly) is as follows...

Did they ever produce more bats than is stated on the barrel? In other words did they produce additional batches in subsequent years, or was it a one-time production for each Hall of Fame Class?

Or in the case of the bat specifically in question, could there be more 1937 Bats in existence than the 500 originally produced? If anyone knows definitively, please post! Thanx, Mark

[Clark7781]

Is it me, or does the "p" in "Speaker" look like a "j".

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Scott.. thanks.

I collect Perez and know they reverted back to a distribution of 500 Bats for the 2,000 HOF Class. With the big names involved in the 1999 class, it makes sense that they would produce more (higher demand).

I guess the thing I was really wondering (and I'll try to word it more clearly) is as follows...

Did they ever produce more bats than is stated on the barrel? In other words did they produce additional batches in subsequent years, or was it a one-time production for each Hall of Fame Class?

Or in the case of the bat specifically in question, could there be more 1937 Bats in existence than the 500 originally produced? If anyone knows definitively, please post! Thanx, Mark

Mark,
I've been told by the HOF that they only do one production run for each class. That's what makes them so collectible among the bat collectors (and player specialist collectors).

[perezfan]

Scott:

That is what I thought. Thanks so much for confirming!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Scott:

That is what I thought. Thanks so much for confirming!

Mark,
You're welcome! Glad I could help...

[JasonL]

I was very excited to get my Ozzie Smith bat from the Hall in his induction year. What makes it so great for me, is that he went in by himself, so it's his name alone on the barrel. The real thrill was having him sign it the following year in gold Sharpie...looks like a gorgeous double stamping...