This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/8/2018
As it has been written, Ty Cobb was only the third player Louisville Slugger chose to represent their lines of bats, following Honus Wagner and Napolean Lajoie. During the era of 1910-1917, Louisville Slugger provided bats for major league players to which did not bear the factory stamped facsimile signatures which we began to see with regularity starting in about 1918. Prior to that, professional players used bat that bore a player decal, and a photo of Cobb at the plate using a decal model bat surfaced to support the companies practice.
It should be noted that this span of 1910-1917, Cobb was an offensive juggernaut. Some batting highlights include:
1,596 Hits (1910-1917)
.420 Batting Average (1911)
.409 Batting Average (1912)
With this production, he was also the American League MVP for the 1911 season.
This very special bat perfectly conforms to documented Ty Cobb personal bat orders. The bat measures 34 3/8” and weighs 38.5 ounces, both dead on for the Georgia Peaches’ personal bat ordering records. The model, C28, was also the model of choice for Ty Cobb. The centerbrand, “Made By JF Hillerich & Son Co.” was issued by Louisville Slugger during the 1910-1917 era. This is key to the bats authentication as store model bats from the same label period were found in period dealer catalogs as being offered with the “40TC” centerbrand. The “40TC” was issued as a store model bat only. The MADE BY version of this centerbrand supports this bat being issued as a professional model.
Bat exhibits heavy game use, with numerous ball marks and one distinct cleat mark found on the barrel. With the combination of length (34 3/8”, weight (38.5 ounces), correct model (C28), MADE BY centerbrand, and heavy degree of use, MEARS is confident to attribute this professional model bat to Ty Cobb.
Final Grade (MEARS A7): Base grade of 5 points assigned for bat being consistent with respect to model, length, and weight as to what was used by Ty Cobb. 2 points for moderate to heavy game use. John Taube of PSA/DNA has verified the professional issuance of this bat and agrees that the length, weight and model is consistent with Ty Cobb's game used bat orders.