Looks like some zip-ties holding the Shure factory 98 gooseneck assembly. Cool because it stays with the cabinet when cased and is ready when uncased.
Did this influence Dave's choice, or was a 98 the absolute right mic? Dunno. Often good engineering involves making things "hard to get wrong".
As for 98s/Beta 98s in general on toms, I have found the reliability meh, and they do eat up time when assembling/positioning.
In my experience, either of the Sennheiser Evolution Series tom mics set up faster, sound good faster, and can take stick impacts better than anything I've seen. Fair price and fat warranty too.