This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2015
MEARS is proud to announce what we believe can be supported as the earliest known Al Simmons game used bat and possibly the actual bat used during his major league debut. With stunning finish, tremendous game use with period nail repairs, early block letter rookie era factory stamping, a remnants of both side writing and a return shipping label back to the H&B factory, this bat is the finest and earliest example of an Al Simmons bat to ever enter the hobby.
Al Simmons, real name Alois Harry Szymanski, was born in 1902 in Milwaukee, WI. Simmons, tired of the mispronunciation of his name, saw a sign for the Simmons Hardware store and changed his name while playing for the AAA Milwaukee Brewers at Borchert Field.
After a stellar minor league career, Connie Mack signed Al Simmons and on April 15th, 1924, he made his major league debut with the Athletics. This is an important fact as according to his personal H&B bat orders; he did not sign his endorsement contract with Louisville Slugger granting him signature model bats until June 16th, 1924. This means that he would have had a block letter bat, non-signature model to use during his major league debut.
Measuring 37.25” in length, Al Simmons has the distinction of using the longest bat in major league baseball. Review of his personal H&B bat records confirms his using this bat during the 1922-24 era.
Weight 34.75 ounces: The bat currently weighs 34.75 ounces.
Game Use: Bat exhibits tremendous game use. Heavy ball marks, scattered cleat marks, and compressions to the barrel indicate optimal degree of professional use by Simmons. A vintage 6”handle cracks extends into the center brand. The crack was repaired by 40+ period “ballboy” nails. Quite possibly purchased at the Simmons Hardware store which gave Alois his name.
The crack and period repair may have been the reason the bat was mailed back to the H&B factory. To the right of the centerbrand is a paper return shipping label. Although currently unreadable, we have examined numerous other examples bearing the same label applied in the same manner. It was a common practice for players to simply address a label to the H&B plant, add stamps, and drop on the mail. This was done in conjunction with a request for additional bats to be produced.
Although we do not know the exact date this bat was shipped, the fact that it does not bear an Al Simmons signature proves it was returned before June 16th, 1924, the date he signed his endorsement contract which allowed H&B to add signatures to the barrel of the bat.
With a major league debut on April 15th, 1924, any bats used on that day would have been identical to this block letter example. Judging by the heavy degree of use and numerous repairs, this club was a favorite of Al Simmons and used over the course of many games and possibly multiple seasons.
As far as early game used bats go, this bat is one of the finest to enter the hobby and one of the finest Al Simmons bats extant.
Final Grade (MEARS A9): A base grade of 5 points was given due to the bat matching factory records. 3 points were assigned for heavy game use. 1 point was added for player traits (period repair) and remnants of the factory return label. John Taube of PSA/DNA reviewed the bat and assigned it a grade of GU8.5.
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS