Did Carlton Fisk use this Fred Lynn Bat?

[RCMcKenzie]

Growing up in the seventies, Fred Lynn was my favorite player. I picked up this bat in Leland's Winter Pop-Up auction. I was the only bidder. It was described as an "Early 80's game-used bat from his Angel's days. Number 27 on the knob" (1981-1984).

I was looking at it today to see if I could figure out who wrote "27" on the knob.
I assumed it was some pitcher. Baseball-Almanac lists all the players who wore a certain number by year for each team.

Angels:
1981 Alfredo Martinez, P, zero at bats (American League)
1982 No player mentioned
1983 Byron McLaughlin, P, zero at bats
1984 Craig Swan, P, zero at bats

I thought I'd look up to see who wore #27 for the Red Sox in 1980. Bingo! Carlton Fisk

Could this bat have been issued to Lynn in 1980 and used by Fisk?

[roarfrom34]

well Fisk hit his historic 1975 WS Home Run with a Rick Burleson model, so yes it's possible

[sicollector1954]

Do you have a picture of the knob end? Was it written on the barrel end also?

[sicollector1954]

I am looking at this bat and dating it 1980-83 according to the info I have so if that is the case---yes it could have been used by him...Will defer to others for opinions.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by sicollector1954

I am looking at this bat and dating it 1980-83 according to the info I have so if that is the case---yes it could have been used by him...Will defer to others for opinions.

that's the correct dating period of the center brand

Here is a picture of the Fisk/Burleson bat that I took in the HOF a few years back

[sicollector1954]

Perhaps you can compare the markings on your knob end to a past Heritage auction....November 16/18 had a 1977-79 Fisk game used bat and there is a picture of the knob end with 27 and not 72....closest thing I could find...he definitely use to take up most of the knob for sure! Good luck.

[RCMcKenzie]

Thanks for the info, y'all. Here's a scan of the knob...

[Trublubrucru]

Here's my take. The 27 on the knob would give me pause. The number looks to have stops and starts and just does not resemble Pudge's script. His 7's are flat topped, with a hook in front. Handle prep is also non present. I would say it would be a stretch to attribute that to Fisk use.

[Scott Garner]

The #27 was definitely not written in Fisk's hand.
My friend Tony Swann is the ultimate Fisk collector and has over 60 Fisk game used bats in his collection.
I tossed the knob photo over to him, figuring his opinion may be helpful.
If you have never visited his site on Fisk, check it out. It's AMAZING!
His site is: www.carltonfisk.com

I hope this helps.

[RCMcKenzie]

After looking at a number of knobs, his hand writing varies. I found a few examples on the web that I believe are consistent with this one. See the "7" in the Mears link. Obviously, my opinion is not objective, but I'm not offering the bat for sale. I would think a collector would have written "19" on the bat. It does have pine-tar as noted by Lelands.

www.mearsonlineauctions.com/lot-84717.aspx

[JoeDfan]

Would any of the pitchers used it for BP maybe?

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by JoeDfan

Would any of the pitchers used it for BP maybe?

With the DH in place and no Inter-league play back then, I doubt pitchers would be taking much BP

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

After looking at a number of knobs, his hand writing varies. I found a few examples on the web that I believe are consistent with this one. See the "7" in the Mears link. Obviously, my opinion is not objective, but I'm not offering the bat for sale. I would think a collector would have written "19" on the bat. It does have pine-tar as noted by Lelands.

www.mearsonlineauctions.com/lot-84717.aspx

Later in Fisk's career, he apparently did not write his number on his bats.
Some unknown clubhouse worker did this.
During the 1980 era, Fisk wrote his number on his bats according to Tony Swann, FWIW.