Mickey Mantle Game Bat A9

[MVSNYC]

Looks like MEARS is labeling this bat 1950-1960, but there’s more than one labeling period during the 1950’s (see Vince Malta’s book). The bat appears to actually be from 59/60 (so the order from 1955 is possibly a pro stock order or team index, rather than Mantle personally, I can't speak to that). Mears doesn’t break it down further. Without provenance and strong player characteristics, (and with the carved initials) it’s tough to call the bat a Mantle gamer for sure.

[bigfanNY]

I know I am gonna get bashed for saying this but here goes. If I was thinking about a Mantle gamer I would not consider one without PSA as one of the tpg. I have maybe 15 game used bats most from 500 HR Hitters and all have multiple authentication. The key reason I am far from an expert on game used bats and they are expensive. I like when they are sourced direct from athlete and authenticated by PSA. That gives me warm and fuzzy.
In the very early 1980's my Dad bought a Johnny Bench "gamer" from a guy who represented Bench Rose Carlton etc. Whitey something if I recall. A couple years later Mr. Bench is at a show I get it signed he asks where I got it I say Whitey ..he says it's a gamer, and signs it. 20 years later, I get interested in bats start learning a bit. I look at my Bench bat and it has no ball marks no cleat masrks it is clean as a whistle. I find a couple guys at Philly show and ask them and both say based on numbers it was ordered by Bench as a gift bat. So I learned a lesson now I look carefully at a bat to make sure I agree with documentation.( I learned heavy moderate and light ball marks do not mean the same thing to any 2 people) and I look to a tpg to catch the things I still don't know.
If I was new owner of that Mantle bat I would submit it asap to a tpg maybe 2. Because the value of a maybe gamer vs a definite stock bat is considerable.

[MVSNYC]

Jonathan, agreed...I personally wouldn't buy a bat without a PSA/DNA Letter. I have just a handful of bats (all are pretty special, and significant), and all have full PSA/DNA LOAs.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Looks like MEARS is labeling this bat 1950-1960, but there’s more than one labeling period during the 1950’s (see Vince Malta’s book). The bat appears to actually be from 59/60 (so the order from 1955 is possibly a pro stock order or team index, rather than Mantle personally, I can't speak to that). Mears doesn’t break it down further. Without provenance and strong player characteristics, (and with the carved initials) it’s tough to call the bat a Mantle gamer for sure.

I take it that you are looking at the rounded G in "GENUINE" when you date the bat to 59-60. Interesting.

I have had good experience with MEARS over the years, but I can't fault anyone for wanting more than one opinion on an important bat.