Pujols SAM Bat

[treant985]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260450475958 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260450475958)

The thing that caught my eye about this SAM (and also a black one that I know the seller has) is that the lettering on the bat doesn't match typical SAM bats...'Rideau Crusher' is in all caps, which I've never seen before.

The date matches another Pujols (see shoremen44's post #5 at http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=23502 ), made on 5/24/2001.

Is it a trophy bat or something? I attempt to collect SAM Bats from all time frames, and I've just never seen one with the lettering that way...

[jjkraner]

That has to be a fake. That person also sold a braun fielding glove saying it was from the world classic. Funny about that it didnt match any of the pictures I have of braun. Also the Braun Sam bat doesnt match either. Auto is funny looking as well.

[justinlm24]

I've never seen a pujols sam bat with the gold labeling....or any sam bat for that matter. I'd say this is most likely not a game used bat. Hence the low starting bid, and no one has bothered to bid on it.

[treant985]

Based on the Braun the seller also has, I'd guess that these are bats made by SAM just for charity stuff. The player hits a few balls with it, signs it, then sends it over to a charity. I think it's unlikely that someone could completely fake a SAM with the same date and measurements matching a legit Pujols, but I also think it's unlikely that Pujols would use a different styled bat in a real game...

[cordovacollector]

I wish there was a photo of just the name area and font. I'd be happy to check it against my Rideau Crushers of the same time period. Have you asked the seller for more photos?

[treant985]

I wish there was a photo of just the name area and font. I'd be happy to check it against my Rideau Crushers of the same time period. Have you asked the seller for more photos?

Not yet...I was hoping that someone might've seen the different kind of lettering before. I just emailed a friend who's a true expert on SAM bats, so hopefully he can shed some light.

Considering shoremen44's Pujols made the same day with the same info has 'regular' lettering, I'm still thinking this must be the equivalent of a player-requested trophy bat or something.

[Birdbats]

Don't know what that is, but it's not a gamer, especially from 2001. The autograph doesn't look legit, either.

[gameusedbat.com]

Fake. Fake. Fake. Braun and Pujols bats, both of 'em. Buyers beware!

[TFig27]

The seller has also sold this:

Five Wood Maple Baseball Bats - 34"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400058758577

In the description they state:

These bats are unfinished (need to be sanded, trimmed & sealed) and look like they were just taken off the lathe. They would be ideal for engraving your name into them to personalize your own bats, or even as trophy awards! They also make a wonderful display as is. A great conversation piece!!!

There is also a photo of plenty of bats.

Interesting.

[treant985]

The seller has also sold this:

Five Wood Maple Baseball Bats - 34"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400058758577

In the description they state:

These bats are unfinished (need to be sanded, trimmed & sealed) and look like they were just taken off the lathe. They would be ideal for engraving your name into them to personalize your own bats, or even as trophy awards! They also make a wonderful display as is. A great conversation piece!!!

There is also a photo of plenty of bats.

Interesting.

The seller actually BOUGHT those. However, the description includes that These bats have obvious flaws, i.e. knot marks, dark grain marks, split lines, or warps.

[treant985]

Here's a link to another one from the same seller: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/1277146244.html .

[mattmueller]

With regard to the Braun, the photo they provided of the letterhead from the Brewers appears to be the exact photo that was used in a different Braun auction that ended last Wednesday, I believe before maya_holmen's auction began. No response from the seller on my question of if they could please provide a different photo of the Brewer letterhead.

Photo from maya_holmen listing on the left below. Photo from item #270423289739 is on the right.

[treant985]

Here's a link to another one from the same seller: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/1277146244.html .

Well, it's deleted now...

Here are the pics that were there; I saved copies:

23780

23781

[Capital-Sports]

The autograph is a 100% forgery

[Capital-Sports]

The Braun autograph is also fake

[treant985]

Would someone with MEARS access mind checking # 307381? I think I'm reading the number right; I was given a low-res pic by the seller, showing what looked like a MEARS work-up for a 2001 Pujols SAM, but I couldn't read all of the details.

[treant985]

As a friend pointed out, also note on the Braun "SAM BAT" logo that the eyes are round, whereas every SAM I've ever seen has them as a convex triangle (a bulging triangle).

[rj_lucas]

1) Read the seller's feedback.

2) Note the currrent bid price of $51.

3) Note the seller's attempt to look honest/reputable by ending the listing with "God Bless".

I won't even comment on the poorly faked signature.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[rj_lucas]

Same bat is being offered for $500 on the St. Louis Craigslist page:

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/clt/1280330423.html

Seller is from South Carolina.

[bigtruck260]

Check the knob if you still have photos to see if it matches other Albert bats.

I have had 100 Pujols autographs, and this one looks like NONE of them.

Is there a chance that the bat was re-painted, and another stencil was used?

[treant985]

Check the knob if you still have photos to see if it matches other Albert bats.

I have had 100 Pujols autographs, and this one looks like NONE of them.

Is there a chance that the bat was re-painted, and another stencil was used?

Considering that not even the sam bat sticker has the right eyes (circular v. convex triangle), I'd say it's a forgery from soup to nuts. Maybe the seller isn't the one who made it, but obviously it's not worth anything near where it'll probably end up.

[cigarman44]

Considering that not even the sam bat sticker has the right eyes (circular v. convex triangle), I'd say it's a forgery from soup to nuts. Maybe the seller isn't the one who made it, but obviously it's not worth anything near where it'll probably end up.

The knob also looks flat to me where the 5 is written. Don't most SAM's have a contour to them from the lathe where they put the round maple leaf sticker?

[treant985]

The knob also looks flat to me where the 5 is written. Don't most SAM's have a contour to them from the lathe where they put the round maple leaf sticker?

All my SAMs have a little dimple on the knob where it was held by the lathe.

The fact that whoever made the bat has SAM BAT stickers that are very close to the real deal means that he could pretty easily turn any unmarked bat into a SAM.

[rj_lucas]

The fact that whoever made the bat has SAM BAT stickers that are very close to the real deal means that he could pretty easily turn any unmarked bat into a SAM.

You mean like these unmarked bats?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400058758577

Which, according to their eBay buyer feedback, were purchased by Maya_Holmen aka the seller of the fake Pujols and Braun.

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[treant985]

...and it looks like ebay removed both bats. Looks like some bidders were spared some serious cash!

[cordovacollector]

Good work! I like that this forum is willing to help buyers they don't even know on eBay that are getting duped and don't realize it. Just doing the right thing and sharing knowledge. Nice job, guys.