Texas Rangers Star Corey Seager's Prized Bat Goes Out Swinging

The bat that Corey Seager appeared to use all season is headed to the great forest in the sky.

A bat's lifetime in baseball depends on the location of a hit. In terms of Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager's bat, it lived well past its prime at the plate. 

Seager's birch wood bat finally entered the great forest in the sky Monday night after the All-Star shortstop's grounder off an 83 mph slider against the New York Mets in the sixth inning. 

The good news? The pinewood went out with a bang, resulting in a single rather than an out. 

Seager has been one of baseball's more consistent hitters since entering the league in 2015. The 2023 season, however, has served as one of the four-time All-Star's best years at the plate. 

Did the power of the piece of wood that made its way from the West Coast to Arlington play a factor in Seager's breakout season? Let's not go too far with the magic, but one must consider that Seager's eye-popping numbers all have come behind the same lumber. 

Entering Thursday, Seager boasts a .346/.411/.651 slash line with 25 home runs and 80 RBI in 90 games. He also is on pace to finish with a career-high in doubles (currently at 35) and WAR (6.0). 

The 34-inch, 32-ounce stick created by Trinity Bat Company in Orange County, began to show its age as the month dwindled. The wear and tear of life battling off foul balls eventually caused a rift in the heart of the barrel.

Mets starter Tylor Megill saw a chance to put the bat out of its pain and delivered an off-speed pitch low and outside. Seager saw it as a chance to drill the ball down the third-base line, but instead watched it dribble and stay in fair territory. 

Corey Seager has used this same bat for months; if not the whole season. It finally split at Citi Field. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/ULa8nQd6Wz

— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) August 29, 2023

Ball players always carry their own superstitions when on hot streaks. For Seager, it was trusting ole reliable whenever it was his time to step in the batter's box. He rocketed ball in parks across the country, and was vital in helping Texas hold the American League West lead for most of the season. (The Rangers are currently in third place.)

Few know what happens when bats await their turn to send a ball outside the stadium, but one has to imagine they mutter amongst themselves as best they can. Perhaps Seager's favorite wood provided information for the next generation of Trinity bats to ensure his partner-in-crime would keep his success going after his demise. 

With a new Trinity bat in hand in the eighth inning, Seager roped a double down the right-field line to put him in scoring position. The Rangers would rally to win 4-3 win.

Seager, with his new bat in hand, crushed his 25th homer of the season in Wednesday's 6-5 loss at New York, signaling that the new lumber is ready to rake. 

Seager has yet to comment on the life and legacy of his precious pinewood. Perhaps a bat funeral is planned with the club back in Arlington. Closed casket is probably the way to go.

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