Vintage Authentics bat linked to DiMaggio’s streak

Agame-used bat from Joe DiMaggio's 1941 streak season highlights Vintage Authentics' current auction, which ends Nov. 16. The bat is graded A10* (the asterisk denotes historical significance) by MEARS and GU10 by PSA/DNA.

The 36-ounce (marked 351/2), 353/4-inch gamer perfectly matches factory records of orders during the 1941 season. More importantly, this specific 351/2 knob stamp was a documented request DiMaggio made of Louisville Slugger to mark the weights on the knobs beginning July 1, 1941. On that date, six of these bats were sent to DiMaggio, with another two being sent on Sept. 18, 1941, for World Series use.

The bat's handle has been sanded for grip, identical to the DiMaggio streak bat in the Louisville Slugger Museum. Overall it exhibits significant game use throughout with heavy ball marks, deep stitch marks, an uncracked handle, and two rings of tape 43/4 inches from the knob, a characteristic though rare, has been seen on DiMaggio game-used bats from the early part of his career.

There are also plenty of other key game-used bats offered. A 1917-21 Joe Jackson Hillerich & Bradsby game-used bat is graded A6.5 by MEARS. The bat features deep factory stampings and exhibits significant game use evidence with ball, stitch, and cleat marks present. Next, there's a rookie-era Hank Aaron Adirondack game-used bat, which is graded A8 by MEARS. The bat is from the 1951-57 era, with Aaron's rookie year being 1954, and exhibits significant game use with heavy ball, stitch, and cleat marks present across the barrel.

Other game-used bats include: 1973-75 Mickey Mantle game-used coache's bat graded A7; 1943-49 DiMaggio game-used bat graded A6; 1945 Jimmie Foxx game-used bat graded A7.5; 1976 Robin Yount game-used bat graded A8.5; 1981 Pete Rose game-used and autographed bat graded A5; and a 1984 Rod Carew game-used bat graded A7.

Leading the way for jerseys are four game-used jersey from NFL Hall of Famers. First, a 1965-66 Paul Hornung Packers home gamer is signed and graded A9.5 by MEARS. Second, a late 1970s to early 1980s Terry Bradshaw home autographed gamer is graded GU7. Third, a Gale Sayers circa-1970-71 game-used jersey is graded GU4.5. Finally, a 1967 Leroy Kelly game-used jersey is graded GU9.

Other top game-used jerseys include: 1984-86 Walter Payton graded GU5.5; 1985 Lawrence Taylor graded GU7.5; 1994 Troy Aikman graded GU8; 1985-87 Eric Dickerson graded GU7; 1970 Hoyt Wilhelm graded GU10; 1989 Mike Schmidt graded GU7; 2001 Barry Bonds graded GU7; 1993 Cal Ripken Jr. graded GU9; 1995 Alex Rodriguez GU8; 1996 Roger Clemens graded GU7; late 1960s Stand Musial coache's jersey graded GU3; two Michael Jordan jerseys, along with a shooting shirt and two pairs of game-used shorts; three different LeBron James jerseys, including one rookie jersey and one from 2004-05 with a special memorial band; and three different Dwyane Wade jerseys and a warmup jacket from his days at Marquette.

Other top items in the auction include: a Babe Ruth single-signed baseball; a Ruth autographed inscription 8-by-10 photo; a lot of 12 Ted Williams single-signed baseballs; an Aaron game-used and autographed homerun No. 715 baseball; a 500 Home Run Club autographed baseball; a Jim Ringo autographed inscription handpainted 1950s helmet; 1948 Leaf DiMaggio card No. 1, PSA 8; 1951 Bowman Mantle, PSA 7; a Tiger Woods 1996 autographed golf ball from his first PGA Tournament and a autographed Nike hat from the same tournament.

For more information, call (866) 304-3090 or visit www.vintageauthentics.com. Vintage Authentics will have one final auction for the 2006 calendar year, which will be Internet only, beginning Nov. 27 and ending Dec. 14.