Fall Premier Auction 2015
Wed, Nov 18, 2015 09:00PM EST - Sun, Dec 6, 2015 12:00PM EST
Timed Auction
Lot 527
SEPT 15, 1977 THURMAN MUNSON LOUISVILLE SLUGGER PROFESSIONAL MODEL GAME USED AND INSCRIBED HOME RUN BAT - HIT HR OFF RED SOX PITCHER LUIS TIANT (PSA/D
Sold for
$13,344
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
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| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
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| $500,000 | $50,000 |
In the fall of 1977 the New York Yankees were on their way to winning their first of back-to-back World Series championships. Managed by the fiery Billy Martin the Yankees were led all season long by the gritty example of the late Thurman Munson. The team finished in first place in the American League East with a regular-season record of 100-62 finishing 2.5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. In the ALCS they beat the Kansas City Royals in five games before disposing of the National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the Fall Classic. Through it all was the steady Munson the teams longtime catcher and captain who batted .308 with 18 home runs and 100 runs batted in.
This lot features a game-used Thurman Munson Professional Model bat that he hit home run No. 15 that season on Sept. 15 1977 against the visiting Boston Red Sox. The two-run eighth-inning blast came off Red Sox starter Luis Tiant. Though the Bronx Bombers dropped a 7-3 decision that day Munson kept the visiting team on high alert. The 35-inch Hillerich & Bradsby (model # S44) bat is uncracked but exhibits evidence of excellent use as several ball marks and ball stitch impressions are visible on all side of the barrel. Also visible on the bat are green bat rack streaks as well as a light coat of pine tar on the mid-handle region. Munsons uniform number (15) is written on the top of the knob in black marker. Engraved on the handle and length of the bat is the following inscription: To Eric From Thurm My Bat I Hit a Home Run with Against Tiant Sept. 15 1977 Best Wishes. The bat is accompanied by a LOA from Eric Musselman current head coach at the University of Nevada Reno and the son of former NBA coach Bill Musselman. Musselman received the bat from Don Boot Buttrey who was a good friend of Thurman Munson. The inscription on the bat attributable to Munson was placed on the bat for its original recipient Boot Buttrey. To Eric in the professional opinion of PSA/DNA representatives was added at a later date by Buttrey when he gifted it to Eric Musselman. Munson would be killed less than two years after gifting this bat in a private airplane crash on August 2 1979. He was just 32 years old.
Includes Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA (GU 10) and a LOA from Eric Musselman.
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