Mark, great question. I collect red sox game used bats and am trying to get a bat from each guy who played for them, non pitcher, from 1960 to the present.
When I first started, over 20 years ago, I had aspirations to get bats only from the time when the players played for the sox with correct knob numbering. What I learned is that for pre 1980 common bats there is real scarcity and you might never see another bat of the player if you let that imperfect one go. However, you can rest assured that if it is a pro model it was made for your guy. Further, many of the bats are likely minor league bats, that is the only way I can explain finding the bats of many cup of coffee players, but it makes matching knob numbers a real challenge.
I have found collecting common bats very rewarding, I am always hunting, frequently finding and the price is usually very reasonable.
Good luck
Soxbats
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