Description
Louisville Slugger model M253 was used by Jack Clark with the St. Louis Cardinals most likely during the 1985 season. The bat shows moderate use with a handle crack that has a significant piece missing.
Several ball marks and light surface marks are visible on the left barrel surface. Numerous cleat marks are also present. Unfortunately this bat won’t with any beauty contests as it has some finish wear and pretty significant staining on the left barrel. The handle has a heavy coat of pine tar and a severe crack with piece missing. Clark’s #22 is written on the knob in black marker and there is some additional blue transfer. Nothing is written on the barrel end.
The dating of this bat to 1985 is based mainly on Clark’s name being foil stamped on the barrel. It is generally accepted that foil stamped names were present in 1985 and 1986.
The St. Louis Cardinals’ 1985 season was the team’s 104th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 94th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 101-61 during the season and finished in first place in the National League East division by three games over the New York Mets. After defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the NLCS, they lost in seven games in the World Series to their cross-state rivals, the Kansas City Royals in the I-70 Series. The World Series is known for the infamous “safe” call on the Royals’ Jorge Orta by umpire Don Denkinger.
