1972 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates Game-Used Bat PSA/DNA GU 8 - One of the Last Bats Clemente Ever Ordered!

Sold For:

$7,200

Year:

1972

Auction:

2019 Fall

Lot #:

2207

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Roberto Clemente H&B signature-model ("G105") bat dating from Clemente's final season in 1972. Graded GU 8 by PSA/DNA. This extraordinary Clemente bat is one of the last he ever ordered. According to H&B factory records, the offered bat can be placed to a single order dated September 22, 1972, which was just 12 days prior to the end of the season. The bat, which is not cracked, displays evidence of light-to-moderate use, including several ball marks. Both red and green bat-rack marks are also evident. Clemente's uniform number ("21") is written on the knob in black marker. Clemente appeared in eight games between September 22nd and October 4th (the club's last game of the regular season), plus five post season playoff games. Clemente had seven hits during those final regular-season games, including his 3,000 career hit on September 30th. During the five-game playoff series against Cincinnati (which Cincinnati won), Clemente made the last four hits of his career. While we will never know for certain, given its date of order, this could conceivably be the last bat Clemente ever used (the bat Clemente used for his 3,000th hit is in the Hall of Fame). Just that chance alone makes it one of the most significant examples we have ever handled. A great humanitarian as well as an accomplished ballplayer, Clemente died tragically in a plane crash on December 31, 1972, while flying relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The following year he became the first Hispanic ballplayer elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame (the Hall waived its normal five-year waiting period in his honor). Length: 36.5 inches. Weight: 35.1 ounces. LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA. Reserve $2,500. Estimate (open).