At that point, the Yankees were already four home runs into a historic nine-homer barrage that resulted in a 20-9 blowout. They concluded the three-game sweep with 15 homers to tie the MLB record for the most long balls through a team's first three games.

But the development of the uniquely shaped piece of lumber — it looks more like a bowling pin than a traditional bat, with a thicker middle and tapered end — wasn't the result of a life spent around the game.