On October 6, 2016, in the first game of the American League Division Series between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, David Ortiz stepped to the plate in the top of the eighth inning with one out and lined a double to right field off of Indians reliever Cody Allen. It was a big hit at the time, because Boston was trailing 5-4, but it was only after Ortiz went hitless in the next two games of the Indians' three-game series sweep that its true historical significance came to light: it was the last hit of David Ortiz's illustrious career. 

Offered here is the bat used by Ortiz to record that final career hit on October 6, 2016. Graded GU 10 by PSA. This is one of the most fully documented milestone bats we have ever seen. Not only has the bat been conclusively photo matched by PSA, but Ortiz himself has personally attested to its "final-hit" provenance by inscribing the barrel twice in silver paint pen. The first inscription reads "Game Use Postseason 10/6/16 Double vs. Allen David Ortiz." Below that he has further scripted "2016 Final Season Big Papi." Lastly, the bat is accompanied by an affixed MLB authentication hologram label. 

As noted in PSA's accompanying LOA, this is an outstanding Ortiz bat in all respects. The two-tone Marucci pro-model ("Papi 34 CC III") bat, which is not cracked, measures 34.5 inches in length and weighs 33.1 ounces. Outstanding use is displayed throughout, including numerous stitch impressions and ball marks (with blue and silver ink transfers), cleat marks, the imprint made from a batting donut, a moderate application of pine tar, and Lizard Skin tape on the handle that extends 9.75" upward from the knob. Stamped on the knob are Ortiz's uniform number ("34"), the bat's date of manufacture ("09/08/16"), the bat's length ("4.5"), and its original factory weight ("2.0"). The presence of the silver ink transfers is especially important, because during the 2016 ALDS the balls were imprinted in silver ink rather than the normal blue ink used during the regular season. 

Prior to the 2016 season, Ortiz announced that it would be his final season, so his every game and at bat during the postseason took on added significance as the reality of his retirement set in. Even so, no one could have predicted that his lone hit in Game 1 of the ALDS would be the last of his career. Ortiz had 2,472 career hits during the regular season and another 88 in the postseason. Therefore, this bat was used to record his 2,560th and final hit in Major League play. Collectors today rarely have the opportunity to obtain historically significant game-used bats such as this, as they are often kept by the player and/or family, or oftentimes are immediately donated to the Baseball Hall of Fame. This is the rare exception and the fact that it was used by one of the greatest and most popular players of the modern era, not to mention the newest member of the Hall of Fame, makes it even more appealing. The inscriptions by David Ortiz on the barrel were obtained under the auspices of Fanatics and the company's hologram label is affixed to the reverse of the barrel. The MLB label is affixed to the knob, and the PSA label is affixed to the handle. Full LOA from PSA, which includes a detailed photo match.