This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/29/2012
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), 34” (documented Cobb length); 39 ounce is consistent with known Ty Cobb game used bat records.
The bat has been professionally cleaned, which reveals an uncracked handle, cleat marks (Cobb trait), and heavy game use. The bat had no original tape on the handle. Photographic study supports that during the 1910-20 era, Ty Cobb did not consistently use a taped handle, so this bat is consistent with that practice.
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.
Game Use: Bat reveals heavy game use. Although there is no discernable flattened hitting surface, the majority of the game use is above the barrel player stamping, which is consistent with the area of game use on documented Cobb gamers. Over two dozen cleat marks are scattered throughout the bats surface. The overall evaluation of game use traits is consistent with other MEARS examined Cobb bats.
Final Grade (MEARS A8): Base grade of 5 points is assigned for bat being consistent with player model, length, and weight. 3 points assigned for heavy game use.
All of the referenced Hall of Famers, Speaker, Hornsby, Rousch, Ruth, Chance, and Groh, were all known H&B endorsees. But, Spalding game used bats are documented to have been used. Based on a thorough examination of this bat’s model (C28), Length (34”), weight (39 ounces), and Cobb documented relationship with Spalding, MEARS is confident to accurately attribute this 1914-20 circa Spalding Professional Model Bat to have been used by Ty Cobb.
Additional Spalding research:
Ty Cobb and Spalding bats by Troy Kinunen
http://www.mearsonline.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=245&cntnt01returnid=98
Spalding Bat by Dave Grob, http://www.mearsonline.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=248&cntnt01returnid=98