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MikeSharon
10-23-2006, 03:13 PM
In the current Mastro Net auction there is an Eddie Matthews bat described as -
The only Braves player to play at the franchise's Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta venues, Eddie Mathews launched 512 home runs during his Hall of Fame career. Offered here is a Hillerich & Bradsby "S2" signature model bat brandished by the superstar during a spring training session in Bradenton, Florida. This 34", 31-1/2-oz. white ash weapon was turned during the 1950-1960 labeling period and can be narrowed to 1952-1960—which comprised the first nine seasons of Mathews' illustrious career. As for the item's pre-season use, that fact is readily learned by the engraved notation of "BRAVES TRAINING," which is situated between the centerbrand and barrel stampings. Significant use is evident, with surface marks throughout, a loss of finish on the barrel, grain swelling, checking and an 11", H-shaped handle crack that has been repaired by vintage bat-boy nails. LOA from John Taube/PSA DNA.

I have never heard of any bats stamped training could you offer some more information.
thanks
Mikesharon

MSpecht
10-23-2006, 07:04 PM
Hi Mike--

I have not personally seen the "Braves Training" stamp on the sweet spot, however it is documented that different teams had various stampings for internal inventory control at various times. A good example is the sometimes-seen single numeral stamped on Tigers' bats of the late 1950's and 1960's. These stampings were placed on the bats by the teams after the bats are received from the H & B factory. The "Braves Training" stamp woukld likely be in the same vein.

Additionally, here is some pertinent information from Mathews' H & B factory records. During the period from his first order to H & B in 1951 through his last order in the labeling period in 1960, Eddie Mathews ordered Model S2 bats approximately 25 % of the time (out of approximately 89 separate orders.) Of those orders, he has only one documented order of 34 inch bats, six Model S182 bats shipped on 8/20/1954. In fact, only one additional order of 34 inch bats are documented in his factory records during his entire career, including post-career (comprised of approximately 190 separate orders) through 7/23/79. That order being an order of twelve 34 inch Model S2 bats shipped on 7/8/1966. In the available documented records for Mathews, it is clear that 95 % of the time, Mathews ordered bats in the length of 35 inches, with the most frequent deviation being to 36 inches.

It is important to note that Model S2 is Mathews' pro stock bat, meaning that when team orders of Model S2 bats were ordered by the Braves for their players, both Major and Minor League, Mathews' signature was one of the signatures likely to be on the bats. These team index bats were often ordered as " ass't models, lengths, weights, or in an order such as "S2 / U1 / R43 -- 34"-36", ass't wts, use Braves names if possible.""



The photos available in the auction do not show the bat in a manner where individual player use characteristics are discernable, and there is no link to the LOA available through the on-line auction. With the lbat not matching Mathews' factory records, its deviation from Mathews' typical ordering pattern, the "Braves Training" stamp, the fact that it is a model S2 which is Mathews' pro stock model, and the lack of additional provenance cited in the description, this bat is most likely a professional model, Eddie Mathews signature bat that was ordered by the Braves for use during Spring Training, and which exhibits professional use by an unidentified player, which may or may not have included Eddie Mathews.

The key here is to contact the auction house and review the LOA closely before the auction closes to see if additional information is contained in the LOA that is not mentioned in the auction description.

Good Luck.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com