1985-86 Louisville Slugger, model S2, Buddy Bell, Reds, game used bat

Another superb 1980's bat rescued from a forgotten closet and brought to the collecting world!

The older gentleman who previously owned this bat attended a Cincinnati Reds game around 1985-86. While at the game, he was testing out a new camera and snapped a photo of Reds’ great 3B Buddy Bell as he cracked his bat on a swing. A few days later, this gentleman was in a sports memorabilia store in Cincinnatti and spotted a cracked Buddy Bell bat for sale. Upon inquiring about the bat, he was told that it arrived just two days earlier. He believed that this bat was the one he saw and photographed at the game, so he purchased the bat…and it sat in his closet since about 1986. Long forgotten until a few months ago when he decided to let it go. The photo is very difficult to make out due to the sun exposure as far as any bat details, but I do not believe it to be the same bat. It’s a neat story though. So, what do we actually have here?

1985-1986 Louisville Slugger, Buddy Bell, model S2 game used bat.

Great 1980’s bats seem to be coming out of hiding lately and this bat is no exception. The bat bears Bell’s #25 boldly written in black marker on the knob and the cupped end is devoid of any markings. The handle is wrapped in vintage athletic tape. The barrel has several Rawlings black ink ball marks, a few cleat marks and some grain separation. A very mild, mid-shaft handle crack took this bat out of commission. Bell’s name is foil stamped on the barrel, and that conclusively dates the bat to 1985-86.

Bell was an 18 year MLB veteran, a 5-time all star and one of the best third basemen of the 70’s and 80’s. He finished his career with over 2,500 hits, 200+ home runs and a .279 career batting average. This bat would be a magnificent addition for a Reds collector or Bell fan.