Make contact with one of baseball’s premier catchers by taking home this Johnny Bench signed pro model bat. A Louisville Slugger with excellent signs of use, this 1977-1979 bat bears a branding error. The center factory label is that of a pro model, while the labeling near the barrel is that of a retail model. Bench has signed on the barrel with (“9”) potency, next to the facsimile example of his signature. The model “R43” is burned into the barrel above the facsimile autograph, and it is also written on the knob. Both tape and a heavy coating of pine tar cover the handle and the knob is chipped. Multiple contact marks, cleat indentations and bat rat streaks are seen on the barrel, and the labeling shows moderate wear. The accompanying LOA states the length at 35” and the weight at 37.1 ounces, and suggests the bat would have been used by Bench during batting practice, as the order for gamers of this R43 model placed by Bench during the 1977-1979 labeling period called for weights of 32, 32.5, and 33 ounces. Full LOA from John Taube-PSA/DNA for game use. Auction LOA from James Spence-JSA for the autograph. Opening Bid $250.