This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/2/2017
1939-42 Ted Williams Boston Red Sox H&B Louisville Slugger Professional Model Game Used Bat (MEARS A8 & PSA/DNA)
Ted Williams, playing his entire career with the Boston Red Sox, was a two-time American League MVP and Triple Crown winner. He is the last player to hit over .400 for an entire season, having hit .406 in 1941. With a career batting average of .344 and 521 lifetime home runs, Williams was a first ballot Hall of Famer, receiving over 93 percent of the vote in 1966.
In 1939, Williams was called up to the Boston Red Sox as an everyday player. He promptly led the American League in RBI with 145 and finished fourth in MVP voting at the age of 20.
In 1941, Williams had a chance to become the first player in 11 seasons to bat .400 for an entire season. As play began on the last day of the season with the Red Sox scheduled for a doubleheader, Williams was hitting .39955, which would have been rounded up to .400 had he chosen to sit. Instead, he decided to play and ended up going 6-for-8 with a home run in the twin bill, finishing the season with a .406 batting average. No player has managed to hit .400 for an entire season since.
Williams did not play for the Boston Red Sox from 1943-45, instead opting to serve his country with the United States Navy. Although he trained as a military pilot and gunner, he never saw active duty overseas.
For this lot, we are offering a bat used by the Splendid Splinter. Game used Ted William’s bats are always in high demand and are becoming increasing scarce. The bat has been professional graded by MEARS. Our findings:
Dating (1939-1942): Due to the lack of a model number which did not appear with any regularity until 1944, we date this bat to the 1939-1944 era. Ted Williams served in the military in 1943-1944, thus our 1942 end date.
Length (35”): Measuring 35”, this bat dates, H&B records support Williams as using a 35” bat during the dating era.
Weight (32 ounces): Currently weighing 32 ounces, this weight is supported as being ordered by Williams during the era.
Game Use: Bat exhibits heavy use with ball and stitch marks. Rack marks present. The handle has been scored, a trait found on Ted William’s game used bats.
NOTE: There is a non-readable marking which appears to be written on the knob. It does not appear to be a uniform number, therefore it is noted by no points were deducted.
Final Grade (MEARS A8): Base grade of 5 points assigned for bat being consistent with factory records with respect to weight, model, and 3 points for heavy use. PSA/DNA hologram 1B12284 also affixed to barrel's end.
(04F0091)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS