This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2022
1923-30 Babe Ruth 40K H&B Louisville Slugger Professional Model Bat (MEARS A7)
Quality Ruth bat are easily approaching the 7-figure mark. Bats at that price range must have a minimum of two traits, 36” length, and 40+ ounce weight. This bat has both. While the 125 professional, factory recorded bats are the gold standard, 40K bats, which have been documented via extensive research, were indeed used in Major League Baseball. This fresh to the hobby find will allow for an affordable alternative to the $1,000,000 Ruth juggernauts, and allow a collector to share with the most advanced Ruth collectors of a very desirable long length and heavy weight associated with the finest of Ruth bats.
Dating: Per Babe Ruth’s personal H&B bat records, Ruth was recorded as using a cork grip bat during the 1923 season. The length and weight was not recorded. The centerbrand was used until approximately 1930, thus the basis for the 1923-1930 dating.
Length: Measuring 36” this bat is consistent with documented Ruth bats that have entered the hobby during the era and is the most desirable length.
Weight: Currently measuring 42.5 ounces, this bat is consistent with what Ruth ordered during the 1920s, which were recorded at 36-44 ounces.
40K: This model, 40K stamped in centerbrand, was issued as both a store model and a professional version. The store model examples were found with the length stamped on the knob. This bat exhibits the hand turned knob, which is consistent with professional models. The grain is straight and also consistent with high grade Ruth examples.
Kork Grip: MEARS has established via photograph proof (Honus Wagner/Joe Jackson with Kork Grip bat), reference in the H&B factory records, and the examination of additional professional model 40K bats, that Louisville Slugger supplied professional ballplayers with this model. Examples examined by our company include:
MEARS #302455 1921-31 Eddie Collins 40K
MEARS #301123 1914-15 Ty Cobb 40K
MEARS #251754 1911-16 Joe Jackson 40K
MEARS #303775 1917-21 Ty Cobb 40K
MEARS #255107 1917-21 Harry Davis 40K
MEARS #302906 1921-31 Frank Frisch 40K
MEARS #302914 1921-31 George Sisler 40K
MEARS #302944 1921-31 Ed Roush 40K
MEARS #301586 1921-31 Lew Fonseca 40K
With the exception of the cork grip, the above referenced bats were consistent with each players personal bat record ordering patterns with respect to length, weight, model, and barrel signature. The above players did have store model 40K bats offered to the general public, but those were found with inch marks on the knob. The above examples had hand turned knobs, which is a practice consistent with professionally produced bats. It should be noted that the two common players, Ramsey and Smith were also produced with hand turned knobs. The hand turned knobs were consistent for both common and Hall of Fame caliber players.
Common Players Examined
MEARS research 1921-31 George Ramsey 40K (block letter) 36”, 36.8 oz, hand turned, sw 7/28/23
MEARS research 1921-31 Harry Smith 40K (block letter) 34”, 32.3 oz, hand turned, sw 8/15/29
The examination of the Ramsey and Smith 40K bats proved that H&B did produce bats for common players.
The examination and listing of the above bats allows MEARS to establish the fact that Hillerich & Bradsby supplied major league ballplayers with 40K professional model bats from the era of 1911-31. The MEARS image of Joe Jackson with the 40K grip allows for photographic verification. The inclusion of Harry Davis & Lew Fonseca in the group allows for us to establish that 40K bats were supplied to Non-Hall of Famers. All of the above-examined bats were also consistent with respect to model to their 125 H&B examples. There is also a specific factory record for Babe Ruth ordering Kork Grip bats during the 1923 season. It appears in the factory record as:
Tom Griffith, 8/9/23, with kork grip
This ledger entry verifies the fact that Babe Ruth did indeed request order of bats with the kork grip application.
A thorough examination of the H&B factory records did reveal additional references of major league ballplayers ordering Kork Grip bats. Under Cardinals star Pepper Martin H&B personal bat records, the following information is recorded:
5-10-40 order: Johnny Mize, use Hornbsy with cork handle, 36”, 35 ounce
7-24-40 order: Hornsby cork handle, 36”, 33 ounce
8-28-40 order: Hornsby cork handle, 35”, 33 ounce
Finally, an additional 40K bat, 1913-14 Ty Cobb MEARS #310769, was examined by MEARS and established production of this model bat for other high profile HOFers during the same era.
Use: Bat is recorded as having heavy game use.
Final Grade: This bat was assigned the grade of a MEARS A7. The bat model (40K) is consistent with a single order that we know was used by Ruth on at least one occasion, (1923). The length, model, and heavy use is also consistent with other Ruth bats in similar grade. Moderate to heavy use tallies the final 2 points.
Bat originated from the family collection of a Military man that may have met Ruth during an exhibition, Service Man Night at the stadium, or military fund raising event.
(58H0128)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS