Over the last couple of years I've gotten a lot of memorabilia from players. Bats, hats, batting gloves, autographs etc. Every piece is special. This piece is probably the most special. Here is the story.

I'd been trying for almost two seasons to acquire a bat from Preston Mattingly. I'd had no luck. When Great Lakes was in town in July, Preston presented me with a pair of batting gloves and promised me a bat.

Cut to the last series Great Lakes had in Dayton. I talked to Preston who said "I've got something for you." He then stated that he had a pair of batting gloves. I told him he'd given me one pair already, and reminded him about the bat. He told me that he'd "take care of me." He came out after the game and said "he'd have one for me by the last game (of the series)." Cut to the last game.

Preston came out bags in hand. I didn't see anything and enquired. He smiled, dropped his bags and handed me an uncracked bat. Rolling the bat, I saw it was imprinted. I thanked him about 40 times before he left. I also made it clear that it was probably the nicest thing I'd ever received from a player.

After he got on the bus, I showed it to a friend of mine. He asked "what did he have it sent here?" I was then enlightened to something I didn't notice. With Preston being on the DL he hadn't brought any gear with him (Lambo wore his #31 jersey for the last game of the series).

So, I don't know if he had it with him or if he had it delivered, or what. I do know that it is my favorite piece of memorabilia, and I am indebted for it. Thank you Preston.

Preston Mattingly home run vs Dayton Dragons 2008

photo (c) 2008 Jeffrey Shultz // Do not use without premission