April 2, 2015: Sports & Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2015
This J93 model Louisville Slugger was used by one of the most feared sluggers in baseball, Albert Belle, during the 1991-96 time period with the Cleveland Indians. It measures 35 inches long and weighs 30.7 oz. and is made of professional grade Ash. The bat exhibits heavy use with ball marks and stitch marks throughout the barrel, primarily on the top of the barrel. There are also bat rack and cleat marks with a medium coat of pine tar, along with grain swelling resulting in slight deadwood on the back of the barrel. The bat has been given a final grade of A8.5 by MEARS, with five base points, three additional points for usage, one point for Belle's uniform number being written on the knob and .5 deducted for the deadwood. Belle was one of the best hitters in baseball during this span, leading the league in RBI twice, home runs once and finishing second (twice), third and seventh in MVP voting. Belle is also one of only six players in MLB history to have nine consecutive 100-RBI seasons. However, his combative personality, marked by occasional angry outbursts, created a reputation that was intimidating to those who covered him in the news media and may have cost him in the MVP voting.
Albert Belle 1991-96 Game-Used Louisville Slugger Bat (Graded MEARS A8.5)
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