Our Winter auction features this beautiful Gary Carter signature model K55, dating to the 1973 labeling period, prior to “The Kid” breaking into the big leagues. Carter’s time in the minors featured a rather meteoric rise, rocketing through Rookie and A ball in 1972, a full season of AA ball in Quebec in 1973, a full season at AAA in Memphis in 1974 before breaking in with Montreal in 1975.
It was during Carter’s time with the 1973 Quebec Carnavals that he first used this bat, as evidenced by his number 48 being written on the bat’s knob (along with Carter’s initials) and with the number 4 eventually obscured as Carter assumed his number 8. The bat exhibits signs of excellent use, with a slight crack in the centerbrand, clearly visible ball marks on the left and bat barrel, as well as blue and red bat rack streaks. At some point the crack in the centerbrand was secured with tape, but the tape has been removed. Most notable of all the use characteristics is the application of pine tar on the upper and lower handle with a “gap” inbetween, a characteristic noted on other Carter bats. The bat has also been signed by carter to the left of his signature brand.
All of this has resulted in a grade of GU 8 by John Taube of PSA/DNA. This is a wonderful bat, well-preserved but with outstanding signs of use from one of the most beloved players of his era, leader of the World Champion 1986 Mets, and deserving Hall of Famer. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.
