Bat Specifications
Eddie Murray may be one of the most underrated players of his era (in my humble opinion). A member of the elite 500 HR AND 3000 hit club along with Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Eddie came up with the Orioles in 1977 where he would remain for the next 12 seasons. He also spent time with the Dodgers and Indians. His .287 career average, 3255 hits and 504 homeruns earned him a most deserved place in baseball's Hall of Fame
1977-79 Labeling period:
Based on H&B shipping records, Eddie seems to have preferred a variety of models early in his career. Included among these are models S226, K55, D2 and D143
1980-83 and 84-85 labeling periods
Throughout the early to mid 80s Eddie used the model R161 consistently with only a few exceptions.
1986-89 Labeling period
During the late 80s Eddie appears to have switch his preferred Louisville Slugger model from the R161 to the M272 which he used with little exception throughout the period 1990 and 91-95 Labeling periods Toward the end of his career H&B shipping records indicate the he used the model M275 with the greatest frequency. With no exceptions apparent.
Use Characteristics
Over the years Eddie has remained one of my favorite non-Twins players. I had the opportunity to meet Eddie Murray on several occasions before and after Minnesota Twins games during the mid 1980s. In spite of his reputation as a moody guy, he was nothing less than a gentleman on each occasion that I had an opportunity to meet him. As a result, he has remain one of my favorite and I have picked up examples of his bats whenever the opportunity has presented itself. In total I have owned many Eddie Murray game used bats over the past two decades and have had the opportunity to review at least a dozen more high grade examples in person or via image. The following are observations that I have made my experiences handling and reviewing Eddie Murray game used bats.
PINE TAR
Murray was a pine tar user throughout most of his career. I have handled probably close to a dozen Murray bats from the early 80s to 90s. In most cases they had some amount of pine tar present. In most cases the pine is applied about three inches below the center markings. I have seen evidence of significant transfer to the lower part of the handle but have but this has not been entirely consistent in my experience. I have also seen direct pine application to the lower handle of the bat.
TAPE
Murray taped the handles of his bats with ringlets throughout his career. This occurred learly in his career but became more common toward the end of his career particularly his time with the Indians, Dodgers and Mets. I have owned and observed in photos Murray applying taped ringlets to the handle of his bats (see photos below). This is a noted and desirable trait for Murray bats dating to the later part of his career.
KNOB & BARREL MARKINGS
The knob markings on Murray gamers may be one of the most significant characteristics in my mind. In most of the Murray bats that I have owned I have seen a very consistent pattern in terms of how his uniform number is written on the knob. The number "33" is typical written in rather larger and rounded style. Frequently The "33" is written in a bold color and then outlined in a different color. This is something that I have noticed frequently and I belief is a strong characteristic of Murray gamers. It should also be noted that I have seen legit Murray gamers without the 33 outlined so it is not an absolute. However, the large rounded style is important. In terms of the color choices it appears that the color(s) used to mark his uniform number of the knob of his bats is frequently consistent with team colors (e.g. orange for the Orioles, etc).
SHAVED HANDLE
In lieu of tape, at some point during the 1990s began to shave the handles of his bats. This is often more difficult to pick up in blond bats but is abundantly clear in many of the black colored 1991-95 Puckett Louisville Slugger bats that I have owned and seen.
