This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
By the time the 1998 season rolled around, it was clear that the question of Tony Gwynn reaching the 3,000 hit mark was not a matter of if, but when. Though he was entering the latter stages of his career at 38-years old, Gwynn still had the magic touch, coming off his second highest batting average season with a league-leading .372. Although he never approached that number again, Gwynn closed out those final seasons at a clip above .320, sealing his legacy as the finest pure hitter since Ted Williams. The featured bat comes from that 1998 season, and although he didn't reach that magical 3,000 hit plateau until the next year, this model B267 Louisville Slugger was part of the countdown, used by Gwynn to get hit #2825. You don't need to take my word for it, Gwynn has verified it himself with a black marker signature above the stamping on the barrel and "#2825" below. Written on the knob in black marker are all of the particulars from that day, including the length and weight of the bat as follows: "5/9/98, B267C, 33-30 1/2, 19, #2825." The cupped barrel also contains Gwynn's jersey number "19" and bat model "B267." Excellent game use is present in the form of ball scuffs, ball mark impressions and cleat marks. A beautiful gamer from Tony Gwynn's march toward the 3,000 hit club. LOA from John Taube - PSA/DNA with a grade of GU 10.