According to the baseball player project, Sparkplug shortstop Freddy Parent, the "Flying Frenchman," led the Boston Americans with MVP-type seasons to the first modern World Series championship in 1903 and the American League pennant in 1904. An early American League star, Parent (along with teammate Buck Freeman) was its first iron man, playing in 413 consecutive games from the April 26, 1901 opener to September 25, 1903, surprising considering his aggressive playing style. Beset by injuries, including multiple head-beanings that hampered his play later in his career, Parent nevertheless ranked among the all-time American League leaders in several categories after its first decade, including second in games played and at bats, fourth in hits and sacrifice hits, and sixth in total bases.
Alfred (Frederick) L. Parent was born on November 25, 1875 in Biddeford, a predominantly textile community in southern Maine. He was the oldest of ten children of Alfred, a fireman, and Celina (Paul) Parent, both French-Canadian immigrants. Freddy quit school at the age of 14 to labor in Biddeford's Laconia Mill harness shop for 65 cents a day. When not working, he enjoyed playing "scrub" ball in the city's back lots, captain of a team he helped organize. Parent moved to Sanford, Maine at age 16, where he worked in the Goodall Worsted Company's weave-room and played amateur ball.
It is theorized that his move to Sanford, Maine was the catalyst for his association with the Sanford, ME bat company. It was a common practice of the era to have local town stars use a bat manufactured by the local woodsman's shop. At some point, Fred Parent gave this bat to teammate Pat Doherty, whom returned it to the H&B factory to have a Doherty signature model bat produced. This Fred Parent bat originated from the H&B archives.
Bat is a signature model but this bat was used and returned to the Louisville Slugger factory by one Pat Doherty on 4-2-2? as evidenced by the side writing. The bat measures 35" and weighs 39.4 oz. If game use is your thing, this one sure fills the bill. Over a dozen vintage nails, a 13" piece off the back of the barrel, heavy deadwood on the barrel face with chipping and a 5" piece off the front of the barrel. If this guy Doherty used this bat until it was in this shape and then returned it, he must surely have loved it.
As for Parent, he is best remembered as an original member of the 1903 first World Series Champion Red Sox while Doherty played for Baltimore from 1911-14 and then with Brockton in 1915. Collection of MEARS staff. MEARS auction LOA. 01360