PSA has unveiled the latest addition to its population report listings: game-used bats.
The long time authentication company has launched a compilation of data regarding the number of bats associated with the playing careers of 30 hitters ranging from Hank Aaron to Ted Williams. The bats in the database were all chosen “based on their historical significance, rarity, popularity of the player, visual appeal and, of course, market value,” PSA wrote in announcing the bat pop report. PSA promises that list of players and bats in the database will continue to grow over time.
“The first 30 players we focused on were selected from the book Legendary Lumber – The 100 Top Players Bats in Baseball History,” said John Taube, PSA’s professional model bat authenticator. “The group to follow, which we are currently working on, will also come from the book. Our plan is to complete the players that appear in the book as they represent the top 100 bats in baseball history. After that additions will be discussed.”
Auction prices for game-used bats have soared in recent years. Last March a bat used by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. to record his 3,000thcareer hit, graded PSA GU 10, sold at auction for $200,000. That same month, a circa 1922 Ty Cobb gamer, graded PSA GU 10, sold for $1.1 million. A month after that, a bat used by the Lou Gehrig in 1938, graded PSA GU 10, sold for $715,120.
“The game-used bat population report will be of great value to collectors,” explained Taube. “Just look at what the pop report has done for cards. We expect bat values to continue to rise as collectors open auction catalogs to find item descriptions that include high-graded bats with low population numbers indicating that are truly rare.”
A total of 3,055 game-used bats examined by PSA have been recorded across the player list including those associated with Roberto Clemente (157 bats), Babe Ruth (98), Mickey Mantle (79), Stan Musial (59), Ernie Banks (39), Lou Gehrig (37), Ty Cobb (34), Honus Wagner (20), and Jackie Robinson (19). Others featured include living Hall of Famers like Derek Jeter (324 bats), Ken Griffey Jr. (187), Mike Schmidt (154), Johnny Bench (101) and George Brett (89), along with current superstars Albert Pujols (247) and Mike Trout (191).
Each of the player’s names hyperlink to his own PSA-graded pop report page where all of his recorded bats are broken down by grade, ranging from “PSA/DNA GU 10” to “PSA/DNA GU 0” (or authentic). There are also quick links provided to areas such as “Prices,” “Facts” and even the “[PSA Set] Registry.” Under the Facts tab for George Brett, for instance, it states: “George Brett bats exhibiting heavy pine tar sell for a premium.”
While it’s not likely the pop report will be as far reaching as the one in use for trading cards, Taube says they hope to eventually have listings for every “significant” player.
“Our goal is to establish the community of player bats that are available in the marketplace, with their grade and value. Collectors will find this information very beneficial.”
