There have been many famous “bad” trades associated with major league baseball. In 1910, the Cleveland Indians traded Joe Jackson to the Philadelphia Athletics for Bris Lord. 1964 found the Chicago Cubs trading Lou Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ernie Broglio. In the modern era, during 1989 the Texas Rangers traded away Sammy Sosa to the Chicago White Sox for Scott Fletcher. Bad trades do happen. Amazingly, a collector in Louisville traded a six pack of orange soda for this bat, a 1925-30 Babe Ruth Louisville Slugger game used specimen. By comparison, although a bad trade for the first owner, this may have been the greatest trade of all time!
For our March Auction, MEARS has carefully examined the bat and offers the following information for your review:
Dating 1921-30: Per the MEARS bat label index, this bat is consistent with the manufacturing traits of bats manufactured by Hillerich & Bradsby during the 1921-30 era.
Length 34 ¾”: Currently measuring 34 ¾”, this bat would have been considered 35” as recorded at the factory. A review of Babe Ruth’s personal H&B bat records document his ordering bats measuring 35” during the label period. Other examples of professional model Babe Ruth bats examined by MEARS include:
MEARS #302483, 34.75”
MEARS #304080, 34.75”
MEARS #251872, 35”
MEARS #281872, 35”
By comparison, this Babe Ruth bat measures within a consistent length ranges (34.75"-35") with previously examined bats with respects to manufactured length.
Weight 39 ounces: Currently weighing 39 ounces, this bat is consistent with what was requested by Babe Ruth during the 1921-30 era when compared to his H&B personal bat records. Ruth’s H&B records reveal that between 1923-30, Ruth repeatedly ordered bats weighing 39-42 ounces. This bat is consistent with respect to weight as verified by Ruth’s personal bat records. With the possibility and likelihood of weight loss, this bat may have been originally manufactured at 40+ ounces, and again consistent with available H&B factory records.
Model R34: Originally ordering the R2 model, which had a longer, more slender handle and barrel, Ruth switched to this R34 standard model. He used it often for the remainder of his career, while making slight modifications. As evidenced by this example, the bat has the larger knob, handle, and barrel associated with R34 model.
Second signature barrel stamping: 2nd version Signature model: During the 1921 season, Babe Ruth requested that Hillerich & Bradsby modify the signature that appears on the barrel. This more flamboyant style is referred to as the "second version" and would be expected to be found on bats produced for Ruth through the 1920s.
Game Use: Bat is evaluated as having heavy or optimal game use. Directly above the barrel stamping, in a 2” x 7” area of grain, the barrel area exhibits deadwood covering several layers of grain. Deadwood is the positive and desired effect of heavy game use, created from the repeated contact of bat to ball over an extended period of time. Directly below the barrel, in an approximate 8” area is also an area of flattened and compressed grain, again associated with game use. 16 approximate cleat marks are also found scattered in the area of the barrel signature. Several deep seated seam marks are found compressed in both the upper and lower areas of deadwood. Combined, the bat exhibits consistent and heavy game use. On the barrel end, 3 vintage nails have been placed into the wood. Light cracking of the wood is also present in this area.
Side Writing: Examination reveals this bat was once side written. The practice of side writing means this bat was returned to the H&B factory for additional model to be produced. The area prepared for side writing can be found to the right of the centerbrand oval and extends towards the left edge of the facsimile signature. Although not currently readable, the first two letters have the as semblance of “BA____”. The rest remains unreadable.
Handle: In the area of the handle, there are 4 possible notches. They have too much controlled order to be random “scratches”, and appear to be deliberately placed. Ruth was known to have added HR notches to his bats. The most famous example, the Louisville Slugger Homerun notched bat, resides in the Louisville Slugger Museum. Those notches formed around the centerbrand oval. Although the location of these notches are not consistent with the other known authenticated example, the possibility much still be mentioned. The handle had discoloration from the original tape that has been professionally repaired.
Knob: Knob is considered the “Large” Ruth preferred style. Also, it appears hand sanded, or rasped. Weight was the most important component of bats at the time, and the H&B lathe hand sanded the knobs to reach the desired weights.
Provenance: This bat was originally sourced from a collector in Louisville, Kentucky, the home of Louisville Slugger. We will reference him as “The Louisville Collector”. As an avid antique collector, “The Louisville Collector” frequented the Louisville area flea markets. Many, many years ago, before the internet, while adding items to his ever growing collection, "The Louisville Collector" encountered the original owner of this bat. In one of the greatest trades of all times, on a hot Kentucky summer afternoon, “The Louisville Collector” traded the then owner of the bat even up for a six pack of orange soda. The chain of provenance back to Babe Ruth ends there, but we do know that this bat originated from the Louisville, KY area. The presence of the side writing documents that the bat once was housed in the H&B archives. When it entered the hobby is unknown, but we do know that the bat was consistent with what was ordered and used by Babe Ruth, and it has direct links to both Louisville and the H&B factory. The bat was only recently purchased by our consignor from “The Louisville Collector” and offered for its first public appearance in this auction.
Final Grade (MEARS A7.5): A base grade of 5 points was assigned for bat matching Babe Ruth’s personal bat records, 3 points were assigned for heavy/optimal game use, minus ½ point was deducted for discoloration/excessive wear on barrel end.
Conclusion: This bat, MEARS #311592, 1921-30 George “Babe” Ruth H&B Louisville Slugger Professional Model Game used bat, is a fresh to the hobby example. Originating from the Louisville Slugger area, this bat remains connected to the town that made bats famous.
Perfect with respects to factor stampings, appearance, interesting history, match to Babe Ruth’s own personal H&B ordering records, this fresh to the hobby bat contains all of the features advanced collectors desire.
Estimate $25,000+. No reserve.