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Thurman Munson 1979 Game Bat Authenticated by PSA/DNA.
Lot 1. Thurman Munson 1979 Game Bat Authenticated by PSA/DNA. According to PSA/DNA, this Munson Hillerich & Bradsby S44 Professional Model Bat “is authentic and manufactured for Munson during the referenced labeling period (1979).” Although made for Munson, there is no confirmation that he used it. In addition to the PSA/DNA Letter of Authenticity, the bat comes with a Letter of Provenance from our consignor. His letter states that he obtained the bat from Juan Espino, a catcher who played for the Yankees in 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1986. When the bat exchanged hands, Espino was in the minors, and our consignor was in high school. Espino and our consignor met at a workout conducted by Detroit Tigers’ scout John Young at Patterson Field in Montgomery, AL. Subsequently, Espino encouraged our consignor in his efforts to become a professional baseball player. Espino gave our consignor the bat, which Munson gave to him. According to our consignor, Munson helped Espino and gave him bats and other equipment. This bat has No. 18 in black marker on the knob. It seems highly likely that Espino used the bat while playing for the Nashville Sounds in 1980. We have confirmed that he wore No. 18 with Nashville; we cannot find evidence that he wore this number at any other time. Later, our consigner had a shot with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but an injury ended his career. Eventually he served as a baseball chaplain in the majors. According to PSA/DNA, the Munson bat shows evidence of light use, including a few ball marks and ball stitch impressions on the right and back barrel. Also visible are blue bat rack streaks and a light coat of pine tar on the mid-handle. A crack on the back handle has been repaired with four finishing nails. The 35” bat weighs 30.1 ounces, is made of ash and has a Galen finish. The PSA/DNA letter notes also that the number “18” was assigned to infielder Dennis Sherrill by the Yankees in 1979. He didn’t get into a major league game in 1979 but did play in three games in 1980. Sherrill ordered S44 bats the same length as the Munson bat in 1977 and 1979. We are unaware of any link between this bat and Sherrill and believe the letter provided by our consignor to be an accurate account of its history.
Winning Bid $733.
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