Please help with Griffey bat

[nick1980]

I have the chance to pick up this Griffey bat from a very good source but I was a little worried about it. My first concern was that it doesn't have the team name or swingman under his signature then on the tape job I can't tell if that black stuff is pine tar which I know Griffey didn't use or it might be dirt staining??? Anyway I can pick it up for a good price but I had some concerns. It is 32 3/4" long I measured with a tape measure today and took these photo's. I also noticed that most the ball marks seemed to not line up if you had the logo facing up and batted left?? Any input helps thanks guys.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/nick325ic/Picture059.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/nick325ic/Picture075.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/nick325ic/Picture076.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/nick325ic/Picture071.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/nick325ic/Picture074.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/nick325ic/Picture062.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/nick325ic/Picture065.jpg

[chakes89]

It seems a little odd that the only missing wood is right where the line under the 125 on a retail bat would be

[nick1980]

It seems a little odd that the only missing wood is right where the line under the 125 on a retail bat would be


I know, it does however have a crack up both sides of the bat from that missing piece. I'm worried about how the 125 lines up with the Louisville and that is says Louisville under his name and not Mariners. If the 125 was shifted over so the 2 was over the i then I wouldn't be worried. Any input would be great.
Thanks

[FanofGriffey3]

Hi, I as new here. but I own a griffey gamer and have seen many others. I would pass based on what others have said. I also don't like the 24 on the handle I don't think I have ever seen a griffey bat with that on the handle. I could be wrong but like I said, I would pass. Chris

[brianborsch]

Yeah,

Its pretty clear that its a retail or store model. Skip that bat! It amazes me how many people are looking to cheat others. If you are interested, I have a real game issued (real game bat issued for use by Griffey) bat from his Mariners days with the Seattle Mariners listed under his signature on the barrell. Willing to let it go for like $200 postage paid. A cheaper alternative to one with game use, and way better than a store model. LMK.

brianborsch@yahoo.com

[kingjammy24]

I have the chance to pick up this Griffey bat from a very good source but I was a little worried about it. My first concern was that it doesn't have the team name or swingman under his signature

team names came into effect for the first time starting in 1991. in 1990, the space under the signature was blank and prior to 1990 it said "louisville slugger". griffey was a rookie in 1989 so there may be some great legit gamers out there with "louisville slugger" under his name. the bat shown is purporting to be exactly that..a 1989 griffey rookie gamer.

along with the other comments, i too find the splinter that magically skimmed exactly under the 125 to be suspect at best. the number on the knob is also odd.

you could find out the length of bats griffey ordered in 1989 specifically from BMH and then see how the length of those bats compares with the one you're being offered.

rudy.

[kingjammy24]

here's a 1992 griffey gamer that taube gave a 9. the length is 34.5":

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=47382

rudy.

[kingjammy24]

given that the bat is purporting to be from griffey's rookie year, it might be interesting to find out from BMH when exactly griffey got his signature model. that is, did he first receive a block-letter model and then transition to a signature model? and if so, when exactly did he receive his first signature model? maybe he spent all of 1989 swinging a block-letter model. maybe there is no such thing as a 1989 griffey signature model? just some possibilities.

rudy.

[cincy13]

I've never seen a uniform number on a griffey bat and I agree about the wood missing in the area where the underline of the 125 would be.

[MSpecht]

During the 1986-89 label period, all models of Griffey Jr's professional orders were documented at 34 inches (15 orders not including promos) except for a single order dated 2/1/89 as follows:


C271C (cupped) / 33 in / 31 oz / Black finish / 12 bats


During that period, the 15 orders cited above included seven orders of 34 inch C271C bats and four orders of 34 inch C271 bats. For the record, the other four orders documented during that period were two orders of S216 ( including first order 2/19/88), one order of M159C, and the single order of 33 inch C271C noted above.


Mike jackitout7@aol.com

[cincy13]

thanks for the info

[gameused]

Another thing I noticed is that the bat is not double dipped, you can see the wood grain thru the black paint, definetly a retail bat.

[VALAIKA COLLECTOR]

The tape job on the handle looks like someone tried to hard. I would definately pass.

[ndevlin]

The tape job on the handle looks like someone tried to hard. I would definately pass.


What? You're saying that the tape job looks good then? Why would or wouldnt it not be good if "someone tried too hard" on the tape job.

Doesnt make sense...

[VALAIKA COLLECTOR]

What? You're saying that the tape job looks good then? Why would or wouldnt it not be good if "someone tried too hard" on the tape job.

Doesnt make sense...


Sorry, I meant it looks bad.

[nick1980]

Thanks guys, I will pass on the bat. Funny thing is this guy is a former player (spent most time in minors but played a little in the bigs) then was a small time actor. He has hundreds of bats and besides this one they all seem to be genuine gamers. His uncle and father both played also. I'm definitely going to pass on this though. A lot of his bats are even signed and I have seen pictures of him with a variety of major league players. Seems weird but oh well, I don't feel good about it.