Catfish Hunter pitched the first American League regular season perfect game in forty-six years when he defeated Minnesota 3-0 on May 9 1968. The premier pitcher of the early '70's Hunter helped Oakland to three consecutive World Championships and recorded five consecutive 20+ win seasons from 1971 to 1975. He also ushered in the era of big money free agency when he signed a five year contract with the Yankees in December of 1974 for $3.75 million. Hunter won two more World Series titles with New York before arm trouble ended his career at age 33. The beloved pitching ace died in 1999 at age 53 as a victim of ALS the same disease that cut short the life of Lou Gehrig.

Here offered is a rare Hillerich & Bradsby model M110 Jim "Catfish" Hunter professional model game used bat. Hunter compiled an impressive .226 batting average over his 15-year career including 6 career home runs. This bat shows evidence of outstanding use with a handle crack that has been repaired. Many ball marks and stitch impressions are visible on the right left and back barrel. Green and blue bat rack marks are visible on the front right barrel and on the bottom of the knob. Cleat impressions can be seen on the right left and back barrel. There is a heavy coat of pine tar on the mid to upper handle. The model number (M110) is stamped into the knob which also bears Hunter's number (27) written in black marker. A review of Jim "Catfish" Hunter's Professional Bat Ordering Record (PBOR) on file at Louisville Slugger Inc. pinpoints this bats origin to a single order of the subject bat that was made on July 22 1969. The bat exceptional player use characteristics and overall quality have warranted a grade of GU 9 from John Taube of PSA/DNA. LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (Greded GU9). A rare and exceptional bat used by the greatest pitcher in Oakland history and a Yankee legend to boot.