Description
Rawlings model MS20 was used by Gary Matthews with the Chicago Cubs or Seattle Mariners during the 1987 season. The bat shows outstanding use with a secured handle crack.
Many ball marks, light seam impressions, and cleat marks are visible on the right, left, and back barrel surfaces. A single black ink transfers is visible on the right barrel and some light blue imprinting is visible on the left barrel. So while the lack of typical Cubs knob markings would suggest Seattle use, the black National League transfer would suggest Cubs use as well. It’s certainly possible this bat was a carry over that he took to Seattle with him after his trade from the Cubs to the Mariners in July of 1987.
The handle has a light coat of pine tar and a secured handle crack. The lower 8″ of the handle has been taped for grip in a tightly overlapping manner. The knob is stamped with the model number (MS20), batch code (259), and year code (7) for 1987. Factory shipped weight in ounces (33) is marked in pen. Nothing else is written on either end.
