{"product_id":"mark-mcgwire-signed-louisville-slugger-pro-stock-blonde-baseball-bat-schwartz","title":"Mark McGwire Signed Louisville Slugger Pro Stock Blonde Baseball Bat Schwartz","description":"\u003cp\u003eAdd the game-object signature of the most prolific \npower hitter of his era — \non the professional-grade bat construction \nused by major league players — \nto your collection with this \n\u003cstrong\u003eMark McGwire Autographed Louisville Slugger \nPro Stock Blonde Baseball Bat — \nSchwartz Sports Authenticated\u003c\/strong\u003e. \nThe Louisville Slugger Pro Stock is not a display replica — \nit is the professional-grade bat construction \nbuilt to the same specifications used in major league games, \nthe class of object McGwire held \nin his hands on September 8, 1998, \nwhen Steve Trachsel delivered the first pitch \nof the fourth inning at Busch Stadium \nand McGwire drove it down the left-field line \nfor home run number 62, \nbreaking Roger Maris's record \nthat had stood since 1961. \n\u003cstrong\u003eHe finished that season with 70 home runs — \na record that stood until Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001 — \nand produced the most widely covered \nindividual statistical pursuit \nin the history of the modern game, \na summer that the sport credited \nwith reviving fan interest \nfollowing the damaging 1994 players' strike. \nThe blonde Pro Stock signed by McGwire \nis the game-format credential piece \nof the career that produced 583 home runs, \nthe all-time rookie record of 49 in 1987, \nfour consecutive seasons with 50 or more home runs, \nand the most at-bats-per-home-run ratio \nin the history of professional baseball (10.6).\u003c\/strong\u003e \ncertified authentic by Schwartz Sports Memorabilia \nwith a tamper-proof numbered hologram \nand a certificate of authenticity verifiable online.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eLouisville Slugger Pro Stock Blonde Baseball Bat\u003c\/strong\u003e \nhas been \u003cstrong\u003ehand-signed by Mark McGwire\u003c\/strong\u003e. \nThe autograph has been certified authentic by \n\u003cstrong\u003eSchwartz Sports Memorabilia\u003c\/strong\u003e with a tamper-proof \nnumbered hologram and a certificate of authenticity \nverifiable online.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-signed by \u003cstrong\u003eMark McGwire\u003c\/strong\u003e — \n\"Big Mac\"; Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals (1986-2001); \n583 career home runs (11th all-time); \n70 home runs in 1998 (single-season record until 2001); \n12-time All-Star; 1989 World Series champion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLouisville Slugger Pro Stock Blonde Baseball Bat\u003c\/strong\u003e — \nprofessional-grade construction; \nthe bat format used by major league players; \nthe game-object credential of the sport's most prolific power era\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSchwartz Sports Authenticated\u003c\/strong\u003e — \ntamper-proof numbered Schwartz Sports hologram \nwith certificate of authenticity verifiable online\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e70 home runs (1998)\u003c\/strong\u003e — \nbroke Roger Maris's 37-year record of 61 on September 8, 1998; \nfinished 28 ahead of Maris's mark; \nrecord stood until Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001; \nthe 1998 home run chase with Sammy Sosa \nwidely credited with reviving baseball \nafter the 1994 players' strike\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower era credentials\u003c\/strong\u003e: \nfour consecutive 50+ HR seasons (1996-1999) — MLB record; \n245 HR from 1996-1999 — MLB four-season record; \n135 HR in 1998-1999 — MLB two-season record; \nrookie record 49 HR (1987) — still stands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCareer at-bats per home run: 10.6\u003c\/strong\u003e — \nthe best ratio in the history of professional baseball; \n583 career home runs on just 6,187 career at-bats; \nMLB All-Century Team (1999)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBash Brothers era: \nthree consecutive AL pennants with Oakland (1988-1990); \n\u003cstrong\u003e1989 World Series champion\u003c\/strong\u003e \n(Oakland over San Francisco Giants)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBacked by our \u003cstrong\u003eLifetime Authenticity Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Pro Stock — The Game-Object Format\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the catalog of signed pieces available \nfor any baseball player, \nthe bat occupies the most sport-specific position: \nit is the implement of every hit, \nevery home run, every at-bat — \nthe object that makes contact \nwith the most important single pitch \nin any given game. \nThe Louisville Slugger Pro Stock \nis the professional-grade construction \nbuilt for use in actual major league games — \nnot a commemorative display piece \nor a reduced-specification replica, \nbut the same class of bat \nthat McGwire brought to the plate \non September 8, 1998, and throughout \nthe most-watched individual statistical chase \nin the modern history of the sport. \n\u003cstrong\u003eA signed jersey documents the uniform. \nA signed photograph documents a moment. \nThe signed Pro Stock blonde bat \ndocuments the instrument — \nthe specific class of object \nthat McGwire swung 583 times \nto produce home runs \nacross 16 professional seasons, \nat a rate of one home run \nper every 10.6 at-bats \nthat no player in the history of professional baseball \nhas improved upon.\u003c\/strong\u003e \nFor the collector who wants the most sport-specific \navailable McGwire signed piece — \nthe one that directly represents \nwhat made him the most prolific \npower hitter of his era — \nthe Pro Stock blonde bat \nis the format that answers that question \nmost precisely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSeptember 8, 1998 — Home Run #62\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the time September 8, 1998 arrived, \nthe home run chase between McGwire \nand Sammy Sosa had dominated \nthe American sports conversation \nfor most of the summer. \nRoger Maris had hit 61 home runs in 1961 — \na record that had survived \n37 years and every power hitter \nthe game had produced in the intervening decades. \nMcGwire had entered September \ntied with Maris at 61 \nafter hitting his 61st in the series opener \nagainst the Cubs the day before. \n\u003cstrong\u003eIn the fourth inning, with two out \nand nobody on against Steve Trachsel, \nMcGwire took the first pitch he saw \nand drove it down the left-field line, \njust clearing the wall. \nHe missed first base rounding the bases \nand had to return to step on it. \nJoe Buck called it on Fox: \n\"Touch first Mark: \nYou are the new single-season home run king.\" \nSammy Sosa — then in right field for the Cubs — \nran in from his position to embrace McGwire \nat home plate.\u003c\/strong\u003e \nMcGwire finished the season with 70 home runs, \n28 beyond Maris's 37-year mark, \nand the sport credited the summer-long chase \nwith producing a national conversation about baseball \nthat had not existed since before \nthe 1994 strike emptied the stands. \nThe Louisville Slugger Pro Stock signed by McGwire \nis the game-object format of the player \nwho stood at the plate on that September afternoon \nand hit the pitch that changed the record books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e583 Home Runs — The Power Career\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1998 season was the most visible available chapter \nof a power career \nthat had been producing historic numbers \nsince McGwire arrived in Oakland. \nAs a 23-year-old rookie in 1987, \nhe hit 49 home runs — \nthe most by any rookie in major league history, \na record that still stands. \nWith Jose Canseco forming \nthe \"Bash Brothers\" combination \nat the heart of the Oakland lineup, \nthe Athletics won three consecutive AL pennants \n(1988-1990) and the 1989 World Series \nover the San Francisco Giants. \n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom 1996 through 1999 — \nthe four seasons that represent \nthe most concentrated available power production \nin the sport's history — \nMcGwire hit 245 home runs: \n52 in 1996, 58 in 1997, 70 in 1998, 65 in 1999. \nNo player has hit more home runs \nacross any four-season span in major league history. \nHe led the major leagues in home runs \nin four consecutive seasons. \nHe produced four consecutive seasons \nwith 50 or more home runs — \nno player in the sport's history \nhad done it more than twice before him.\u003c\/strong\u003e \nHis career total of 583 home runs \ncame across just 6,187 career at-bats — \nthe 10.6 at-bats-per-home-run ratio \nthat stands as the most efficient \npower production rate in professional baseball history. \nMcGwire's career, including his 2010 admission \nof steroid use during these seasons, \nhas kept him from Hall of Fame election — \na complicated legacy that the power numbers \nthemselves do not resolve, \nand that each collector weighs individually. \nThe Pro Stock blonde bat signed by McGwire \nis the game-object credential of those numbers — \nthe bat, from the player, \nwho produced the most concentrated \navailable power era in the sport's modern history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSchwartz Sports Authentication\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis bat has been certified authentic by \n\u003cstrong\u003eSchwartz Sports Memorabilia\u003c\/strong\u003e \nwith a tamper-proof numbered hologram \nand a certificate of authenticity \nverifiable online.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis bat is certified authentic by \n\u003cstrong\u003eSchwartz Sports Memorabilia\u003c\/strong\u003e. \nThe tamper-proof numbered hologram \nand certificate of authenticity \nare verifiable online.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlayer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMark McGwire (\"Big Mac\")\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeams\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOakland Athletics (1986-1997), St. Louis Cardinals (1997-2001)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst Baseman\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAutographed Louisville Slugger Pro Stock Baseball Bat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePro Stock — blonde (natural finish); professional-grade construction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthentication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSchwartz Sports Memorabilia — tamper-proof numbered hologram; COA verifiable online\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCareer HRs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e583 (11th all-time); 10.6 AB\/HR ratio (MLB career record)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1998 season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e70 home runs — broke Roger Maris's 37-year record of 61 on September 8, 1998\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower era\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e245 HR (1996-1999, MLB 4-season record); 4 consecutive 50+ HR seasons (MLB record)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRookie record\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e49 HR in 1987 — AL ROY (unanimous); still MLB rookie home run record\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChampionships\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1989 World Series (Oakland over San Francisco); MLB All-Century Team 1999\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExcellent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity Guarantee\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery signed piece at GameDay Sports Memorabilia is backed by our \u003cstrong\u003eLifetime \nAuthenticity Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e. If your item is ever determined to be inauthentic, \nwe will replace or refund it — no questions asked.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gameday Sports Memorabilia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53344670253355,"sku":"MCGBAT115","price":349.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0983\/6124\/5995\/files\/MCGBAT115.jpg?v=1777069618","url":"https:\/\/gamedaysportsmemorabilia.com\/products\/mark-mcgwire-signed-louisville-slugger-pro-stock-blonde-baseball-bat-schwartz","provider":"Gameday Sports \u0026 Memorabilia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}