It is well known that Rogers Hornsby was a contract player with the Louisville Slugger bat company. Leacock was a distributor of St. Louis based Rawlings sporting goods equipment. Just like Mays and Aaron signed dual contracts with H&B & Adirondack, was it possible Hornsby experimented with this hometown model? Hornsby's personal H&B records make no mention of this model being used but MEARS has never examined another example like this and the bat is made to professional model H&B specifications. While Leacock was the distributor for Rawlings, the markings resemble those of the Hanna Batrite Company of Athens Ga., well known supplier to major league players during the 1920's. In addition, it is a trait of game used bats to have the weight stamped on the knob rather than the length which is usually found on retail model bats. This bat is quite unusual as to the possibilities of it being a gamer, especially since it was returned to the H&B factory for duplication and resided in their vaults for decades. The reason most players noted for switching to Hanna bats was the superior finish that did not crack or seperate like the pre Powerized H&B bats. Since this bat was probably made by Hanna and available locally, it is possible that Hornsby, a known Hanna user, would have no qualms using one even if it was stamped with a retailer label. Someone thought enough of this bat to return it to H&B for duplication in either case. Not to mention that it is a great looking bat as well.
Title: 1920's Rogers Hornsby Leacock Professional Model Game Used Bat
Player: Rogers Hornsby
Block/Script Name: Block Letter last name only
Label Period: 1920's
Year/s Used: 1920's
Teams Played During Era of Bat: Cardinals,Giants,Braves and Cubs
Mfg: Leacock stamped
Model Number: 504
Length: 34"
Weight: 35.6 ounces
Side Writing: Name? 4/16/30
Vault Marks: No
Game Use: Heavy
Ball Marks: Yes on top of barrel
Swelling: Yes on top of barrel
Grain Separation: No
Cleat Marks: No
Rack Marks: No
Nails/Screws: No
Cracked: 7" crack on handle
Pine Tar: No
Handle Tape: No
Dents/Gouges: No
Autographed: No
Uniform Number: No
Knob Markings: 36 stamped (weight)
Barrel Markings: No
Finish: N/A
Provenance: No Provenance
Factory Records: Matches known H&B 20's models with small knob (H117 style)
Grade: Authentic
01079
MEARS Auction LOA. Collection of MEARS staff.