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1968-1970 Willie Mays San Francisco Giants Game Used Bat (PSA GU 8.5)
"I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw," said Willie Mays. Displayed is a 1968-70 game used San Francisco Giants Willie Mays bat. The Hall of Fame center fielder's statement is devoid of false modesty, and perhaps he should get credit for a frank, honest self-appraisal of his phenomenal skills. Displayed is a 1968-70 game used San Francisco Giants Willie Mays bat. During much of the 1950s-1960s, the Hall of Famer Mays was the very definition of a five-tool player. He played 23 years in the Major Leagues, with the New York/San Francisco Giants for 21 years and spent his final two years with the New York Mets. As for his five tools: Willie hit for average, in 1954 leading the National League in batting average at .345, and with a career batting average of .301; he hit for power, with a career 660 home runs, second only to Babe Ruth's 714 when Willie retired, and Mays missed most of two seasons while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Willie's great power was evident in his slugging percentage, as he led the National League in slugging in five seasons and finished with a career slugging percentage of .557; Willie had a great arm. One example of his strong arm was the wonderful throw he uncorked that kept runners from scoring after his brilliant catch in Game 1 in the 1954 World Series as his New York Giants swept the Cleveland Indians. Mays could run, as he led the NL four times in stolen bases and swiped 338 lifetime. He could field - he won 12 Gold Glove Awards as a centerfielder. He was one of the very best center fielders of all time (12 Gold Gloves). He could run: He led the National League in stolen bases four times, and he had 331 career thefts. The Say Hey Kid was a 24-time All-Star, and he won NL MVP in 1954. Mays modeled his stance after one of his boyhood heroes, Joe DiMaggio, so Mays spread his legs far apart in a very wide stance like Joltin' Joe's. Mays swung with great force. "If there was a machine to measure each swing of a bat," said Hall of Fame baseball executive Branch Rickey long before the modern measurement of a bat's exit velocity, "it would be proven that Mays swings with more power and bat speed than any other player. The offered bat bat is 35" long and weighs 33.1 ounces. The bat is an Adirondack 302, manufactured in Dolgeville, NY. The barrel reads "BIG STICK Willie Mays (inscribed in script) FLAME TREATED. Imprinted on the knob is M 63. The bat shows good game use: ball marks, smudges, dings, and darkening near bottom of handle. There is a PSA small oblong sticker at the top of handle (1B26549). The bat comes with a PSA Letter of Authenticity, and the bat has been graded PSA GU 8.5. Every baseball aficionado would love to have a game used Willie Mays bat to enhance interest in any collection, as many baseball commentators feel that Mays is the best baseball player of all-time.
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