Question about my Palmeiro bat

[8ripken2131]

Hello everyone; I'm wondering if anyone here can answer this question for me. I was recently given a supposedly Rafael Palmeiro game used bat that was purchased at an auction about 10-12 years ago. The bat is an H238. It looks like a gamer to me, however, the number "18" is written on the knob. Raffy has always worn #25 (though he did wear #6 I believe for 1 season with Texas), so this just doesn't make any sense to me. Is this bat a fake? Can anyone provide an explanation? Pictures are below, thanks everyone for all your help.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff213/oscal8/DSC02371.jpghttp://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff213/oscal8/DSC02373.jpghttp://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff213/oscal8/DSC02378.jpg

[kingjammy24]

it's not uncommon for players to sometimes use each other's bats. that is, players will lend or trade bats in order to try out a new model or manufacturer. looks like either palmeiro gave this bat to a player who wore #18 or perhaps that player ordered some of palmeiro's bats directly.

in 1991, #18 was worn by tony scruggs on the rangers
in 1992, #18 was worn by donald harris and don carmen on the rangers
in 1993, #18 was worn by donald harris on the rangers

of course it's also possible that palmeiro gave the bat to almost any player on any team. there were a whole lot of #18's in the major leagues from 1991-93. could've been any of them that used it.

the bat is not from 1989 or 1990. 1993 was palmeiro's final year with the rangers until he joined them again from 1999-2003.

rudy.