This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
While comparisons to the legendary Mickey Mantle might be a little premature at this stage of his career, there's no doubt that Mike Trout is playing at an overall level that hasn't been seen in quite some time. Entering his 8th full major league season, Trout is only 27 years old but has already slammed 240 home runs, led the American League in runs scored four times, played in the all-star game each year of his career and won two American League Most Valuable Player Awards, finishing 2nd every other year in the voting but one, when he was 4th. On the pace he has set thus far, if he matches the number of at-bats Mantle had in his career, Trout will find his way into the 500 home run club as well. The offered two-tone Old Hickory model MT27 bat was used by Mike Trout during the 2013 season and is a very savvy acquisition for the advanced game-used bat collector who doesn't want to shell out "Mickey Mantle" type money down the road when Trout is likely standing at a podium to give his Hall of Fame induction speech. This war club is uncracked and features excellent game use, with many ball marks, stitch marks, cleat marks and a visible impression from a weighted batting donut visible on the black surface. The lower handle has been taped for added grip, a trademark of Trout gamers, with a light coating of pine tar on the handle. A visible mark on the handle identifies the face grain of the bat, a marking made mandatory by Major League Baseball in 2009 for maple bats. The knob contains Trout's number "27" in black marker with a silver marker signature and "'13 GU" inscription next to the barrel stamping. The length is 33 1/2 inches, weight of 32.8 ounces, and has been graded a perfect GU 10 by PSA/DNA. When Trout finally hangs up his cleats for good, way down the road, don't be surprised if Cooperstown comes a callin' to try to get this beauty for display. LOA from John Taube - PSA/DNA.