From the third of Barry Bonds’ four consecutive MVP campaigns comes one of his custom SAM professional model bats photo-matched to a milestone moment during his 2003 season. On September 10, 2003, with the San Francisco Giants on the road to face the Padres, Bonds went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored. His third inning double off San Diego starter Brian Lawrence was the 534th of his career, drawing him even with Lou Gehrig, whose career tally still stands as the Yankees’ franchise record.

PSA Photo Match has conclusively matched this bat to that exact moment (Getty Image #2508444) of Bonds following through after his deep fly to left somehow stayed within the playing confines of Qualcomm Stadium – a rare occurrence considering his 39 career homers at the ballpark formerly known as Jack Murphy were more than any visiting player in history. In addition, bat expert John Taube of PSA/DNA has graded it a perfect GU 10, putting this Bonds gamer in a rare class within his increasingly hot market.

The Bonds 2K1 model from the 2003 labeling period measures 34 inches and weighs 33.5 ounces (according to Taube’s LOA). Finished in SAM Bat’s black barrel and brown handle with the gold decal, it has a “Made in Canada” knob stamp with “San Francisco Giants” and “Barry Bonds” stamped on the barrel. Taube confirmed the model number, length, and weight against the manufacturer’s ordering records as being ordered by Bonds during the 2003 season. The barrel end carries black-pen factory notations recording the length (34), weight (31.9 oz), date of manufacture (07 25 03), model (2K1), order number (3546), and Bonds’ initials, “B.B.”

The bat remains uncracked and shows obvious game use, with ball marks on the right, left, and back barrel. Two massive contact marks contain blue ink transfers from baseballs scorched by Bonds, one almost certainly being the important double. The handle is heavily taped for roughly 13.5 inches in Bonds’ signature spiral and crisscross pattern (accounting for the 1.6 oz. weight disparity), finished with a light coat of pine tar over the tape. That same tape pattern provides the basis for the photo match. On the barrel Bonds has signed and inscribed “God Bless, Barry Bonds” in large, bold silver marker.

The bat is accompanied by a PSA Photo Match Certificate (#AT00414), a PSA/DNA GU 10 Letter of Grading and Authenticity (Cert #1B40322), and GRAD certification (#GA-11916) for the autograph. (Steve Grad was the former lead autograph authenticator for PSA/DNA and Beckett). Together they form an ideal trio for collectors: a photo-matched milestone bat from Bonds’ 2003 NL MVP season, carrying the top PSA/DNA game-use grade, and a certified “God Bless” inscription.