This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Stepping up to the plate in the eighth inning of Game Four of the World Series on October 27, 1999, Jim Leyritz smacked a home run to extend the Yankees lead to four to one, the same score they would win the game and the Series by one inning later. As there was no further scoring, and as it turned out to be the last game of the Series, Leyritz's shot turned out to be the last home run hit in the 20th century. It was a repeat of the homer he hit in the 1996 World Series, also hit in the eighth inning, again against the Braves (that one tied the game). This is the bat with which he hit that historic last home run. The bat shows extremely heavy use with hit marks pounded into the left and right hitting surface of the barrel. A favorite bat of Leyritz, after coming over from San Diego (whom the Yankees had defeated in the previous World Series), he still carried this McGwire model Adirondack bat with the team name "Padres" printed on the front barrel. Black rack streaks cover all sides of the hitting surface. A dark blue ball transfer mark is on the back barrel, with white ball markings on the barrel end and front. "MAC 25" and player number "13" is written on the barrel end in black marker. Bat model number "MAC 25" and year "99" are stamped into the knob end. Also on the knob end are the bat measurements "33 1/2 - 33" and the player number "13" written in black marker. A heavy coat of pine tar is on the handle. A small piece of wood is missing from the back barrel with some checking on both the front and back. Man: Adirondack, Model: MAC 25, Order Period: 1999, L: 33.5 in, W: 33 oz, Wood: Ash, Finish: Natural. The bat is accompanied by a LOA from PSA/DNA and a Leyritz family letter, giving this jersey impeccable provenance. Comes with a photo of him hitting this historic home run.