This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/3/2018
He knew what he had, it was “Grandpa’s Pride & Joy”.
Babe Ruth bats are constantly in high demand and the dream of almost every baseball fan to own. For this lot, MEARS is excited to present a very unique offering.
From 1927-1930, Babe Ruth hit 209 homeruns (1927:60 HR’s, 1928:54 HR’s, 1929: 46 HR’s, 1930: 49 HR’s). That a lot of wasted baseballs!
Per our research, this bat was manufactured and consistent with what Babe Ruth would have used during this time span while the Yankees won two World Championships, 1927 and 1928. Residing in southern Illinois, our consignors Grandfather lived in a town half way between St. Louis and Chicago. It was unknown whether this bat was used by the Babe against the Browns or White Sox, but according to family legend, his bat was game used by Babe Ruth.
Measuring 35 ¾”, this bat would have been consistent with bat ordered by Ruth measuring 36”. Although we do not have Hanna Batrite factory ordering records, the length is consistent with bats ordered by Ruth during the era and supported by Louisville Slugger shipping records.
Currently weighing 40.7 ounces, the bat is consistent with the weight (42) which is stamped on the knob. 40 ounces is an optimal weight for prime examples of game used Ruth bats, and this bat fits the bill. Per our research, this is only the 2nd Babe Ruth Hanna Batrite known to have entered the hobby with the weight stamped on the knob. It is interested to note that the other Ruth pro model Hanna Batrite was stamped “43” denoting a 43 ounce bat. This fact further supports professional issuance as it shows that the stamping on the bat was not mass produced, and that care had to be taken to accurately record the different weight requests, presumably from Ruth himself.
Therefore, the weight, length, and stamping (42 which represents ounces) are all consistent with Babe Ruth professional model Hanna Batrite bats.
Model: As part of the centerbrand “Bat Logo” design, TA (tempered ash) and 12 6 (model 12, 36” length) is found factory stamped to the left and right of the bat’s ears. With respect to Hanna Batrite bats, the model 12 is what was known to have been modeled for Babe Ruth. Upon review, the Hanna Batrite model is very similar to Ruth’s R34 favored model, and may have been copied/duplicated from his very own Louisville Slugger.
On the barrel is the standard Hanna Batrite stamping, “George Driver, Ruth Type, Steel Temper”. As Hanna Batrite was involved in a lawsuit against the bat giant Louisville Slugger, the player identifier was done as “Ruth Type” as opposed to Babe Ruth, which was intended to avoid copyright infringement.
Bat exhibits heavy game use, cleat marks, slight swelling to the back of the barrel, and remains uncracked. Slight discoloration of the handle from the removal/cleaning of tape which was added once the bat gifted to the consignor’s grandfather.
According to our consignor, “Although the exact details of when grandfather received the bat was never told to me, as long as I can remember going to back when I was a little kid, my dad always told me that Grandpa always said this was Babe Ruth’s bat, take good care of it. We always knew it was special and meant a lot to him.”
The bat was examined by the professional staff of MEARS and graded as followings:
Plus 5 points for bat being consistent with respect to length, weight and model as used by Babe Ruth during the era, 3 points for heavy game use, very small chip on rim of handle, minus 1 for cleat marks affecting barrel stamping and discoloration of the handle. Final Grade: MEARS A7.
(10L0 298)
(MEARS Auction LOA)