By Jarett Warner
The family of the late baseball great, Mickey Mantle, retained counsel to react to assertions by an on-line sports memorabilia dealer that Mantle used a corked bat while playing, in connection with the dealer’s attempt to sell one such corked bat.
The memorabilia dealer, Grey Flannel Auctions (“Grey Flannel”), publicized that it was selling a unique, first of its kind item, a corked bat used by Mickey Mantle. This claim spread like wildfire throughout national media outlets and the internet. The auction announcement did include a statement from a professional bat authenticator purportedly substantiating Grey Flannel’s claim that the bat was corked. Grey Flannel was seeking opening bids of $5,000 for the bat.
Mantle’s family has made public statements refuting all such claims and avowed that they would make every effort to preserve the Mick’s legacy. Through legal entity, Mantle I.P. Holdings, Ltd., the family retained the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP to advise them of their rights under the law. Incidentally, this is the law firm of Yankee fanatic, Rudy Giuliani. The handling attorney has stated publicly that Grey Flannel withdrew “the corked bat” from sale and removed it from its website. The attorney for Mantle’s family also indicated that although the family made several authenticity requests, including the chain of custody of the bat and examination of the bat by independent third-parties, Grey Flannel had not responded.
It should be noted that this is not the first time Grey Flannel has been caught in a run down, so to speak. For example, there were previous reports that Grey Flannel had improperly authenticated baseball memorabilia, including a Cal Ripken jersey that Ripken had reportedly never worn.
It is unclear whether we have heard the last of Mantle’s “corked” bat and whether Mantle’s family will take any further legal action.
Jarett Warner is a sports law attorney at Havkins Rosenfeld, Ritzert & Varriale. He can be reached at Jarett.Warner@hrrvlaw.com
