I will see if I can find a color shot..the thing to consider is the bat in all likelihood would have been in other NL bat racks besides those at Forbes Field..those of course would most likely be a differnt color..
Thanks Dave for the reply. I agree with the possibility of the bat being used in different parks. I would however feel more comfortable with the bat if the rack marks could be traced to Forbes Field. The owner claims the bat was pulled directly from the rack.
That of course would be nice, but one of the things I ask folks to consider, is of all the "game used" characturistics that a bat may have, rack marks are probably the ones that the easiest to fake. Please know I am not making any statement of opinion on the marks on this bat, but a rack mark is nothing more than surface scuff.
With that in mind, I place them very low on the overall list of things to consider. What I tell people is be sure to think about proviance..It needs to be both credible and verifiable.
Credibile: Is it reasonable to assume that if his dad sold cars to the Pirates players that he would have access to the bat? I would say so.
Verifiable: What was his dad's and name and what was the name of the car dealership he worked for? Is the dealership still in business.
Most of this is information is for folks who may just be stopping by to read..
Dave, after reading your post I emailed the owner of the bat and received this prompt reply.
"Hi, I am Becky, John's sister in law and I have been fielding his emails concerning the bat. His father worked for a dealership called Rohrich Cadillac, it's on West Liberty Ave here in Pittsburgh and it is still in business. (His father then went on to open his own dealership in 1982 - McMinn Olds and Hyundai also on West Liberty which they just sold). His dad's name is Daniel McMinn and I actually got the whole story at dinner tonight as they were remembering the day he got it. Clemente gave them free tickets to the game and then came up out of the dugout to see them - John was about 12 - and then went back to get the bat and brought it out to him. They watched him take it right out of the rack. Also gave them a signed ball that day as well. Hope that helps and if there's anything else I can tell you please let me know. Thanks for your interest and good luck to you if you decide to bid."
That is very good news..now you have some information that you could verify...Could not find the photo you are looking for..A good source would be the 1960 WS video by MLB..Not sure if it is in color though...
