Possible DiMaggio Streak Bat featured in Vintage A

Vintage Authentics will be have a 1941-42 Joe DiMaggio game-used bat headlining its fall auction. The bat, which graded A8.5, was ordered, and quite possibly was in DiMaggio's possession during the 56-game hitting streak. The auction can be viewed on www.vintageauthentics.com and closes Nov. 17.

Records indicate that DiMaggio first ordered this model bat on July 1, 1941 (six ash bats). These six bats would have been in his possession for games No. 43 through No. 56 of his hit streak. It is also known that DiMaggio used three bats during the streak and one is unaccounted for with the last surfacing at auction in April 2004 and selling for $345,000. DiMaggio went on to order 16 more of these models until his last order in July, 1942, which gives the possibility of 6 in 22 or a 27 percent chance that this exact bat was ordered and in DiMaggio’s possession during his phenomenal record hit streak.

“The winner of this bat will have a very special item and be very happy with their purchase,” said Steve Jensen, co-CEO at Vintage Authentics. “This is exactly like the one that sold for $345,000, without the story. Only two DiMaggio bats have ever been graded higher.”

There are also plenty more baseball items to headline the auction. Leading the way for autographs are: a Babe Ruth single-signed baseball; 1927 New York Yankees World Champion team-signed ball; Lou Gehrig and Lefty Gomez autographed baseball; Cy Young singed-signed baseball; George Sisler single-signed baseball; Brooklyn Dodgers multi-signed baseball; 1953 New York Yankees World Champion team-signed ball; 1960s New York Yankees team-signed baseball; and a Cal Ripken Jr. hand-written letter to his high school sweetheart.

There are 71 game-used bats in this auction, including: Eddie Collins Zinn Beck game-used and autographed bat graded A6; Lou Gehrig 1930 Hanna Batrite Georgia Driver game-used bat graded A3; Heinie Manush 1922-23 Hillerich & Bradsby rookie era game-used sidewritten bat; Mickey Mantle 1965-68 Louisville Slugger game-used bat graded A5; Joe DiMaggio 1950-51 Louisville Slugger game-used bat graded A7; Jimmie Foxx post-1930 Hanna Batrite game-used bat graded A3; George Kelly 1921-30 Hillerich & Bradsby game-used bat graded A8; Johnny Bench 1973-75 Louisville Slugger game-used bat graded A8; Lloyd Waner post-1930 Hanna Batrite game-used bat graded A3; Eddie Murray 1977-79 Louisville Slugger game-used rookie era bat graded A7; and Lou Brock 1965-68 Louisville Slugger game-used bat graded A8.

Leading the way for the 57 game-used baseball jerseys are: Nolan Ryan circa 1984-88 game-used Astros jersey; Barry Bonds 2001 game-used and autographed home run No. 526 jersey; Alex Rodriguez 1994 game-used rookie jersey; Roger Clemens 1995 game-used jersey; Albert Pujols game-used rookie jersey; Reggie Jackson 1975 game-used jersey; Wade Boggs 1991 game-used uniform; Dave Winfield 1995 game-used jersey; and a Fernando Venezuela 1981 game-used and autographed rookie jersey. “This auction has a lot of game-used bats, game-used jerseys and some really nice Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders memorabilia,” said Jensen. “We’ve got only the second genuine Miami Dolphins Super Bowl ring from the perfect season ever offered to the general public.”

The ring comes from the estate of Mike Rathet, who was Vince Lombardi’s lead scout prior to moving to the Dolphins under Don Shula.

There’s also a Dan Marino game-used helmet from the 1984 season in which he won the MVP and made his only appearance in the Super Bowl. It arrives with David Overstreet’s memorial black No. 20 sticker, linking it to the 1984 season and includes a Miami Dolphins team letter attesting to its origin and authenticity from equipment manager Robert A. Monica on Dolphins stationary.

Other significant Dolphins items include: 1971-73 Paul Warfield game-used suspension helmet; rare late-1960s RK-2 game-used suspension helmet; and a 1997 Dan Marino game-used, autographed jersey, which is tied to the Oct. 19 game vs. the Ravens.

Significant Raiders items include: a George Blanda game-used kicking shoe; Ken Stabler 1973-74 game-used jersey; Pete Banaszak late-1960s AFL game-used jersey; late-1960s AFL game-used sideline jacket; and a Fred Biletnikoff circa 1973-74 game-used jersey.

The entire auction contains approximately 700 lots. For more information, visit www.vintageauthentics.com or call 866-304-3090.