Yogi Berra Bat in Mears

[zenithsports]

Just wanted to point out a few things on the 62-62 Berra bat in Mears current auction.

This exact bat was auctioned off by Paragon in 2012 with a PSA LOA stating "No player use." Further this is also a Spline Bat. Pretty vastly different from the A8 grade assigned by Mears.

http://www.paragonauctionsite.com/lot-1655.aspx

[yanks12025]

Pretty sure the bat says powerized in the mears auction and not spline. So not sure what you're talking about.

[zenithsports]

Not all spline bats from that era are branded Spline:

http://www.goldinauctions.com/lot-6417.aspx
http://www.goldinauctions.com/early_1960s_yogi_berra_game_used_professional_mode-lot11669.aspx
http://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-collectibles/bats/1961-63-yogi-berra-rare-spline-bat-used-by-new-york-yankees-team/a/7085-82218.s#1020810208855 (same berra in mears)

[yanks12025]

I see. My mistake, I always saw them as being branded as spline instead of powerized. Thanks

[yanks12025]

Really feel bad for the person about to pay $5,000 for this bat.

[zenithsports]

ugh...this is disgusting.

[mears]

Was very busy tonite managing the end of tonite's auction. This post was forwarded to me.

On first glance, I am not exactly certain of the "disgusting" nature of this auction. When I reviewed both images from our auction and when the bat originally sold, it clearly shows game use. Although some players like George Brett has very distinct player traits, it is my professional opinion that Yogi Berra's bats do not possess the same degree of known use traits as other players might.

I will review both the PSA/DNA letter and the MEARS letter to make comparisons.

Additionally, I will forward the original PSA/DNA letter to the winning bidder so that may be provided with all of the facts. The Berra bat was not submitted to me with the PSA/DNA letter and I was unaware one existed.

In the case of the Roy Campanella bat that we sold tonite, John gave the bat a 7.5 grade, MEARS a 8. Both grades were presented in the write up.

For the record, John and I do disagree on grades sometimes. When this happens, it is our policy to present both grades.

I am finishing up the auction tonite and will be back in the office to address this or any issues. I can be reached at troy@mearsonline.com or call 414 828 9990 (Monday please).

Troy R. Kinunen

[zenithsports]

Troy... Fair enough, I don't expect for you to agree with john on every item. But why no mention that this was a spline bat?

[mears]

Zenith,

I am traveling for the holiday and do not have access to my records. I have authenticated both a Berra and Mathews bat that had the spline centerbrand.

I am not certain of how John Taube came to that conclusion. But, based on your post, you assume he is correct and I am in error. I believe it is a point that warrants further investigation. The bat was not marked spline, as the others have that I examined, that I am certain of.

At this point, I have suspended the sale of the Berra lot until the winning bidder, consignor, Taube, and myself can have a discuss and review of the bat.

The winning bidder has been contacted and we will discuss on Monday.


Regards,

Troy