Heilmann was one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game. He won four American League batting crowns: in 1921, 1923, 1925, and 1927. He and Ted Williams are the last two American League players to hit .400, Heilmann hit .403 in 1923. His batting average of .342 is the twelfth-highest in major league history. He played in 2,148 major league games, including 1,518 as a right fielder and 448 as a first baseman. He was also the first player to hit a home run in every major league ballpark in use during his career. Cobb took over as the Tigers’ manager in 1921 and worked with Heilmann to improve his batting technique. It could have been the new live ball or Cobb but Heilmann’s batting average rose by 85 points in 1921. He won his first of four American League batting crowns with a .394 average edging out his mentor by five points.
Offered is a nice early signature model that dates to the era in which he hit .403 as well as two of his four batting titles. It is a beautiful dark bat with the remains of the original shipping label back to Louisville but sans any readable side writing.
Player: Harry Heilmann
Block/Script Name: Script
Label Period: 1921-31
Teams Played During Era of Bat: Detroit Tigers
Manufacture: H&B
Model Number: Pre model number.
Length: 35"
Weight: 35.7 oz.
Side Writing: Not Readable
Vault Marks: No
Shipping Label: Yes, but not readable
Game Use: Heavy
Ball Marks: Top of barrel
Swelling: Top of barrel
Grain Separation: Very light on back of barrel
Cleat Marks: Numerous marks on bottom of barrel
Rack Marks:No
Nails/Screws:No
Pine Tar:No
Handle Tape:No
Handle Crack:Yes, closed 4" crack near center
Barrel Crack: No
Dents/Gouges:No
Wood: Ash
Autographed: No
Uniform Number: No
Knob Markings: No, hand turned.
Barrel End Markings: No
Provenance: Louisville Vaults
Factory Records: Pre dates shipping records. It has the rounded barrel end.
Player Traits: None known exclusive to Heilmann.
Grade: MEARS A7.5 with 5 base points, 3 use points and minus 1/2 for crack and minor knob chip. No points were given for the side writing or the fact that it was shipped back to Louisville since the writing cannot be deciphered.
MEARS Bat Index Report: MEARS has previously graded only two game used Heilmann H&B bats with the highest grade awarded being an A7 making this the highest graded Heilmann and one of only three to date.
Comments: An extremely rare game bat and an example that was used by one of only a handful of players to ever hit over .400 in a single season. It would be a show piece in a Hall of Fame or Detroit collection.
Inventory Number: 00279
Collection of MEARS staff: No