Help with Mike Piazza Game Used Bat?

[cfern023]

Hey Fella's,
I feel I need a little help a bat I got for my collection.

I Was lucky enough to stumble upon the bat here locally in Miami, and got a decent enough deal for it where I felt okay taking the gamble. My hope is that it's from his 5 Game Stint for the Marlins (it WAS found in Miami) or atleast from his 1998 Season, I'd settle if it was used in any season though!

I'm not sure if the 8 Stamped in the bottom of the Mizuno bat means anything, but I think it means it was made in 1998... am I correct?

And before anyone asks, I'm a big Piazza fan- and a Marlins fan- since Opening Day 1993. I'm also a bit of a Mets fan because of my grandfather since I was born, so..... I'm a mess. Lets just say 2007 and 2008 were bittersweet.

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3592.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3592.jpg.html)

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3593.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3593.jpg.html)

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3594.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3594.jpg.html)

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3595.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3595.jpg.html)

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3596.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3596.jpg.html)

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3597.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3597.jpg.html)

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3598.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3598.jpg.html)

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac23/cfern023/Game%20Bats/th_IMG_3599.jpg (http://s882.photobucket.com/user/cfern023/media/Game%20Bats/IMG_3599.jpg.html)

[cfern023]

By the way, all pics will take you to a larger photo.

[Hoosier39]

Just looking at the last two photos, anytime you find a bat with a blacked out knob, regardless if the number is correct, is a red flag. I would guess the number underneath is the number you see at the barrel end.

[cfern023]

The number on the Barrel end is 31 though. I've seen one other bat with the blacked out knob.... I believe it's MetsFans or MetsBats on the forum.

[Hoosier39]

The number on the Barrel end is 31 though. I've seen one other bat with the blacked out knob.... I believe it's MetsFans or MetsBats on the forum.

Ah I guess it is. Looking at the small pic it looks like a different number,

[cfern023]

http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=69540&stc=1&d=1356985740

Yeah, I don't know why I can't edit the original post to say that they are clickable.

The pic above is "MetsBats" Piazza collection. His knob looks to be in the same penmanship as mine as well.

Hopefully he can chime in on the bat.

[TNTtoys]

Hi Chris,

The bat is definitely a Dodgers bat. The "World Win" labeling on Mizuno bats ended in 1997. 1998 and on had "Mizuno Pro" on the barrel instead.

David (metsbats) can probably tell you a little more about this one.

Nick

[cfern023]

Well,
Now I dont want the bat anymore ;).

I need a May 1998 bat or bust!

Thanks TNT for your help, I appreciate it. I'm sure between both yourself and MetsBats any bat/jersey can be figured out.

A Dodgers bat isn't bad though, he had some of the greatest seasons ever for a catcher in their uniform.

Is there any significance to the 8 stamp on the knob?

[cfern023]

Anyone else have any Piazza bats they can post to compare?

[metsbats]

I just saw this post and will post later after looking at your bat more in detail. I do agree with Nick that it's definitely a Dodgers bat.

[metsbats]

This is my Jose Canseco model Mizuno used by Mike Piazza either during the 1992 or 1993 (most likely 1993) season. He used Canseco model bats prior to getting his own Mizuno model bats.

This has a "7" stamped on the knob (where as yours has an "8") which is not the year indicator.

I think your bat is a 1992 and I 'm guessing the blackened knob with "31" overwritten was due to Mike number changing from "25" to "31" in 1993.

I also have an early 1992-93 Piazza Louisville slugger gamer with the blackened knob and "31" written in silver.

[metsbats]

I just called Mizuno USA and will email photos of these bats to them. They were very helpful and the person I spoke to said he will try to find out any info on these numbers stamped on the knobs.

[cfern023]

MetsBats,
I can't thank you enough for your help so far. In full disclosure one other member mentioned the use of Mota Stick vs Pine Tar. Does this bat have Mikes Characteristics?

I appreciate you contacting Mizuno, hopefully they can shed some light on the bat.

Do you believe the bat is from 92-93? The other member mentioned it may be from 95-97.

Thanks,
Chris

[metsbats]

MetsBats,
I can't thank you enough for your help so far. In full disclosure one other member mentioned the use of Mota Stick vs Pine Tar. Does this bat have Mikes Characteristics?

I appreciate you contacting Mizuno, hopefully they can shed some light on the bat.

Do you believe the bat is from 92-93? The other member mentioned it may be from 95-97.

Thanks,
Chris

Chris,

The labeling period may extend to 1997 however I'm saying 92-93 because of the blackened knob with 31 written over it ( remember Mike switched from no. 25 his rookie year in 92 to 31 in 1993). That would be the best case because if the bat is really post 93 - 97 then the blackened knob may have indicated some other player used the bat and someone put back Mike's no. 31 over it. I didn't look at the use characteristics on your bat yet but can check it out.

David

[bgold]

David, looks like mota on the handle and no usual Piazza pine-tar up the handle for this bat, although lots of cleat marks. It had me thinking, did someone else use this bat or did Piazza exhibit these characteristics early in his career?

[Nnunnari]

I believe Mike only swung LVS in '92. I would be very suspect of the blacked out knob. He only had 40 something at bats in '92 and all the footage I've seen show him swinging an unfinished LVS with a blacked out knob when he was first called up and a Walker finish like this. He also played in the Arizond Fall League after the '92 season and the only pic I have seen shows him swinging a Walker finish lvs.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z34/Nnunnari/PiazzaRookie_zps64a3f1a2.png (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/Nnunnari/media/PiazzaRookie_zps64a3f1a2.png.html)

[metsbats]

Nick

First of all nice Piazza rookie bat!

Second your observations are correct.

Here's page 120 of Mike's book Long Shot where he related the story of when he received his first batch of Jose Canseco Mizuno bats in 1993.

So if Piazza started trying out Mizuno Canseco models in Sept 1993 his own model bats could only have started the next season in 1994. Nevertheless both
seasons he was no. 31 so the blackened knob on this bat would be suspect.

[jsage]

Anyone else have any Piazza bats they can post to compare?
Piazza - Dodgers 1993-94
Jerry Sage

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa458/Jsage1/bth_IMG_3834_zps0778a791.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa458/Jsage1/bth_IMG_3839_zps0618eb7b.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa458/Jsage1/bth_IMG_3842_zpsb166f646.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa458/Jsage1/bth_IMG_3833_zps8ea9df09.jpg

[earlywynnfan]

Mets, any chance you can email me the Mizuno contact number so I can ask about this one?

Ken

[Nnunnari]

Thanks David.
Neat bat Ken. That's got to be an early one. Let us know what you find out.

[metsbats]

Mets, any chance you can email me the Mizuno contact number so I can ask about this one?

Ken


Ken, Pls email me. Thanks -David (metsbats86@aol.com)

[cfern023]

With all the bats that have been posted, even if mine turns out to be legitimate I feel I own a Pinto to everyones Ferrari's. Some of these bats are gorgeous, especially the bat with my name on it (Literally!).

The more I've looked, the more I've noticed the cleat marks being a Piazza signature. I'm not exactly where to go from here to be honest. I would ask the man himself, but we all know he's a private person to begin with.

Thanks for all the help so far, AND for any help in the future.

[earlywynnfan]

Here's a pic of the knob of the brown gamer.
Ken

[earlywynnfan]

While we're on the subject, does anyone know the dates this bat might have been produced? I feel I'm pretty good at dating bats, but seem to have a mental block with Mizunos. The knob has "CJ" stamped, that's it.

Ken

[metsbats]

"I was able to speak with our bat business unit manager today about the bats. He said that he had not seen that type of markings on our bats since the early 90's. From what he remembered, the 7 was a batch number, and the F20 was a date. F stands for July. The A below it, he thought suggested the type of wood used. He also stated that the Japanese have very weird and unjustified ways to mark their bats."

Here's a response from Mizuno regarding the number stamps on the knob and Ken's brown Piazza Mizuno with the multi stamped knob.

[cfern023]

Cool, thanks for the heads up on that.

I guess mine is batch 8, but no date on it must mean early 90's.

Any thoughts on the bat itself, MetsBats? Just your opinion, thanks.

Chris

[metsbats]

Cool, thanks for the heads up on that.

I guess mine is batch 8, but no date on it must mean early 90's.

Any thoughts on the bat itself, MetsBats? Just your opinion, thanks.

Chris


Chris,

Given the information from Mizuno on the batch numbers only appearing during the early 90's (7, 8,etc) and the labeling on your bat I would say it's an early 90's gamer.

David

[earlywynnfan]

David, thank you for getting this information.

Ken

[metsbats]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Y-FUJII-Game-Used-Bat-MIZUNO-JAPAN-/300362441073?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45eeff2171

Here's a Japanese players Mizuno similar to Ken's Piazza bat.

[cfern023]

Thanks for all your help MetsBats.

Now if anyone wants to trade a 98 for this one....I'll toss a little cash on top LOL!

[cfern023]

Hi Chris,

The bat is definitely a Dodgers bat. The "World Win" labeling on Mizuno bats ended in 1997. 1998 and on had "Mizuno Pro" on the barrel instead.

David (metsbats) can probably tell you a little more about this one.

Nick

Curious,
I was able to get my hands on a few photos, but none with a clear picture of the barrel.

My bat says "Professional Model" under Mike Piazza, where as the picture says the same. In another photo, it looks somewhat like it says "World Win" but I can also make out "Mizuno Pro" .

What do you think about it. Am I trying to make the bat into something I want, or am I actually seeing this.

Thanks,
Chris

[TNTtoys]

Curious,
I was able to get my hands on a few photos, but none with a clear picture of the barrel.

My bat says "Professional Model" under Mike Piazza, where as the picture says the same. In another photo, it looks somewhat like it says "World Win" but I can also make out "Mizuno Pro" .

What do you think about it. Am I trying to make the bat into something I want, or am I actually seeing this.

Thanks,
Chris

I think the blurred bat in the photo is World Win. When was the photo from?

[cfern023]

I don't want to influence anyone's thoughts but they are from the 1998 season.

[cfern023]

Figured I'd bump his- curious what others think.

Thanks.