This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/29/2012
Big leaguers did use Spalding bats. H&B is most often associated with historic game used bats, and the reputation was rightfully earned. But, before H&B began to grab market share, Spalding was the industry leader. With 1918 as a random jump off point (Ruth signed his contract in 1918 and marks the beginning of the signature model bat craze), what were players using previously? Answer: Spalding.
Ty Cobb had an established relationship with Spalding Sporting Goods. He was a 1908 catalog endorsee for both their bats and gloves. Spalding supplied the Tigers with game worn uniforms. And, we know that contemporaries of Cobb used game used Spalding bats. To support our point, MEARS examined our database for other professional game used bats. We found:
1914-20 Schalk Spalding bats (signed H&B contract on 8-22-21)
1914-20 Tris Speaker Spalding bat (signed H&B contract on 9-18-12)
1914-20 Ed Roush Spalding Bat
1914-18 Babe Ruth Spalding Bat (MEARS 301338)
1914-18 Larry Doyle Spalding Bat (MEARS 301396)
1914-18 Jack Coombs Spalding Bat (MEARS 305131)
1914-17 Chief Meyers Spalding Bat (MEARS 307559)
1914-18 Emanuel Cueto Spalding Bat (MEARS 309658)
1914-20 Henie Groh Spalding Bat (MEARS 310968)
1912-25 Frank Chance Spalding MEARS #303556
1908-11 George Stone Spalding MEARS #300067
1908 circa Ty Cobb Spalding bats MEARS #'s 307292, 305711, 302454, 251233
1915-20 Rogers Hornsby Spalding Bat (private collection)
Professional model game used bats of several contemporary stars are documented to have been used in the major leagues along with 4 additional 1908 Ty Cobb Spalding signature model professional model bats.
Examination of this bat reveals this is indeed, with 100% certainty, a 1914-20 Ty Cobb Spalding professional model bat. The model (C28), 35” (acceptable Cobb length range); 36.6 ounce is consistent with known Ty Cobb game used bat records.
Model: SPALDING COBB. Comparison to the documented examples above illustrate that this bat design is indeed consistent with the 1914-20 Spalding bat barrel manufacturing process.
Bat exhibits heavy game use, with a large concentration of use above the barrel “COBB” stamping. 6 large cleat marks/impressions are found in the same area. Additional cleat marks/impressions are scattered throughout the bat’s surface. Handle has a six inch “H” crack that runs even with the grain, and has slight separation. A very desirable Cobb personal trait, handle tape, can be documented via the impression on the handle which shows the ghost image where the tape once was applied. The ghost pattern is consistent with the manner Cobb applied his own tape.
Final Grade (MEARS A7): Base grade 5 points, 3 points heavy use, minus one point for barrel indentations and handle crack. (R0875)
LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS
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