Willie Stargell

[Juicyfruit66]

Was watching the 34" Stargell hickory k44 on eBay, just sold for 103$. Was it a actual Stargell ? Went way cheaper than I thought a Stargell wound go. eBay item 351592221469

[MSpecht]

Here is an opinion after looking at the completed auction.

1. While the seller did not have access to all research materials (order records, etc) , he responsibiy took pains to describe reasons that he could not guarantee that Stargell himself had used the bat, and he thought the bat was more likely to be a team index bat (K44 was a Stargell Pro Stock Model) as, in his mind, the dimensions of the bat seemed 'off' for Stargell.

2. A review of Stargell's personal H & B order records documents that, while not common, a very few orders of 34-inch bats were ordered by Stargell during his career.

3. The labeling on this bat (based on the barrel label) is either the 1980-83 period or the 1983-85 period. A good picture of the center brand would be helpful, but from the photos provided in the auction, the label looks like the "Large New Label" of the 1980 - 83 period (4 1/2 inches side-to-side)

4. Of the few career ordered 34-inch bats noted in # 1 above, all 34-inch model K44 bats were ordered in 1980, specifically as follows:

4-7-80 / K44 / 34 inches / 33 ounces / Hickory Finish / 8 bats
4 -16-80 / K44 / 34 / 33 / Hickory / 8
5-1-80 / K44 / 34 / 33 / Hickory / 8
5-20-80 / K44 / 34 / 33 / Hickory / 8

Therefore, Stargell's order records confirms that a total of 32 bats matching the characteristics of the auctioned bat (model, length, weight, and finish) were ordered by Stargell during the early part of the 1980 season. it is presumed that the bat was manufactured in 1980 for the personal professional use of Willie Stargell.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[Juicyfruit66]

Based on the threads I was able to dig up on Stargell bats I was thinking despite the sellers doubts it was an actual Stargell bat, there was a chance it was one of the shorter 80s hickory bats he had ordered....thanks for confirming that....I can only hope the buyer had a huge max bid otherwise I regret not going for it :(

[TigersCubs84]

MSpecht, awesome info. Thanks for your posts.