Spring Premium LIVE Auction April 30th and Catalog Auction May 7th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2016
Like the man who once swung it, this bat is baseball history. This bat is Roberto Clemente's. Dating from the 1965-1968 period, this Hillerich & Bradsby U1 encompasses some of Clemente's greatest seasons. During those four years, Puerto Rico's greatest ballplayer won two batting titles (1965 and 1967), an MVP Award (1966), recorded his greatest offensive season (1967) and won the Golden Glove every year. With a four year tally like that, could you possibly ask for a more significant Roberto Clemente bat? The Hillerich & Bradsby U1 model bat measures 36" in length and weights in a 35.4 ounces. The bat is un-cracked and shows heavy use by Clemente. There is very light checking from repeated ball contact on the back barrel and the right left and back barrel is covered with ball marks and stitch impressions. The bat displays green bat rack paint streaks, recalling the great ballparks of Clemente's era: Forbes Field, Shibe Park, Crosley Field… Clemente's beautiful script signature is stamped into the barrel and it, along with the H&B center brand remain strong and clear on the bat's golden ash surface. A light coat of pine tar is still present on the bat's handle and the knob features Clemente's famous number "21" hand written in marker atop the stamped factory model number U1. It goes without saying that any bat once used by Roberto Clemente is something special - and still this bat stands out for both it's spectacular condition and because it dates from the very prime of Clemente's Hall of Fame career. Letter of Authenticity 1B08555 from PSA/DNA who have awarded this bat their grade of GU 9.