This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/2/2015
Although Hillerich & Bradsby was the modern market leader, they could never match Zinn Beck in one aspect. Zinn Beck was the only modern bat manufacturer with major league experience. He followed in the footsteps of 19th century professional players turned sporting goods manufacturer A.G. Spalding and George Wright of Wright & Ditson.
Born in Steubenville, OH, on September 30th, 1885, Zinn Bertram Beck went on to literally make baseball history. Records show he batted right, throws right, and could really work a lathe tool although which hand he favored is not recorded. Records do show that he made his major league debut on September 14, 1913 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Zinn Beck played 5 seasons with St. Louis (1913-16) and one with the New York Yankees (1918). During his 290 games, he batted .226 with 3 homeruns. During both the 1914 & 1915 seasons, Zinn Beck played with Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby (1915-16).
A known and experience wood worker, Zinn Beck used his knowledge and experience from his major league baseball career to manufacture bats after his playing career ended.
Found in a fire bucket and saved by our consignors grandfather, this archive of 31 Zinn Beck centerbrand & barrel stamps are living proof that former professional ballplayer and aspiring bat maker Zinn Beck did indeed produce bats. This archive of 31 items were used in the production of Zinn Beck bats. The factory was located in Greenville, SC and each and every one of these relics stamped the Zinn Beck logo or model into the ash bats that would soon be find their way into the hands of baseball players.
To our knowledge, these are the only Zinn Beck branding irons to ever surface and are an important part of bat making history. The digital image (not included) shows Zinn Beck at the lathe, mostly likely using one of these very brands. LOA MEARS Auctions.