Andruw Jones broke into the majors with the Atlanta Braves late in the 1996 season as a 19-year-old phenom, and that October he announced himself on the game's biggest stage: in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series against the Yankees, Jones belted two home runs, becoming the youngest player in World Series history to homer, eclipsing a record long held by Mickey Mantle. That debut flourish was merely the opening chapter of a career that would see Jones develop into arguably the greatest defensive center fielder of his generation, ultimately capturing ten consecutive Gold Gloves (1998-2007) and five All-Star selections while launching 434 career home runs.

Offered here is a Louisville Slugger "C271" professional model bat game used by Jones during this official 1997 rookie season with his autograph. The bat is finished in black, stamped "Louisville Slugger" and model "C271" on the barrel, with "ANDRUW JONES" and "ATLANTA BRAVES" branded below, and shows handle and barrel wear consistent with game use. The barrel is boldly signed by Jones in silver marker. The bat has been graded GU 9 by PSA/DNA, reflecting strong, well-documented use characteristics. The autograph is certified by Steve Grad, one of the most trusted autograph experts in the hobby.

Rookie-era game-used material from Jones, predating his run of defensive dominance, is scarce on the market. A strong addition for any Braves or Andruw Jones collection.