This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
Sometimes it's one single team transaction that can steer the fate of a franchise for decades. The Boston Red Sox were the hard luck losers of baseball, having endured several near misses in their 85 years of futility and heartbreak while watching some other team's owner hold the championship trophy. But the tide started to turn when the Bosox signed free agent David Ortiz in 2003. While Ortiz was a marginal power hitter in Minnesota, "Big Papi" thrived in the confines of Fenway Park, averaging 34 homers and 109 RBI per season in his 14 years in Boston, highlighted by the curse-breaking World Series Championship years of 2004, 2007, and 2013 as well as entrance into the 500 home run club. The featured bat, a Marucci DO34 Custom Cut III, was used by Ortiz during that 2013 championship season when he was named World Series MVP with a .688 batting average and two home runs. Fantastic game use is evident with ball marks, stitch impressions and areas of missing paint covering the black barrel. The 34 inch, 33 ounce stick has the "34" length indicator on the handle with an engraved "9/23/13" date. Of particular note is Ortiz's hallmark layer of pine tar high on the handle with a bright green "Lizard Skins" wrap around the bottom of the handle. Ortiz has autographed the bat in silver marker next to his stamped name, adding "game use" as well. LOA from John Taube - PSA/DNA with a grade of GU 9.5.