This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/3/2016
Date (1930-35): Per the 1930 pat. stamp on the knob & center brand design, this bat was issued during the 1930-35 era.
Length (35”): Measuring 35” this bat is consistent with what Ruth ordered during the 1930s.
Weight (30 ounces): Bat currently weighs 30 ounces. H&B factory records list Ruth’s bat weights as being ordered from 35-39 ounces during the 1930-35 era. This bat is 5 ounces lighter than recorded Ruth lengths, but the possibility exists for weight loss, as 5 ounces have been documented as being lost from the time the bat was originally shipped.
Game Use: Bat exhibits moderate game use.
Comment Section: Via notations found in surviving Louisville Slugger bat records, Hanna Batrite was known to supply the professional leagues with game used bats. It is also documented that Ruth, Gehrig, & DiMaggio used Batrite bats at various times during their careers as supported by known surviving photos. Lou Gehrig was even asked to provide sworn testimony that supported his use of the Batrite brand. Unlike H&B professional model bats, the markings on a Hanna Batrite can be ambiguous with respects of retail vs. professional model usage.
This example, “Beaver Driver, TA Ruth 55 Steel Temper” is considered to be both a retail and professional model. Similar examples were found in surviving Batrite dealer catalogs. But, this exact same barrel stamping was found a Lou Gehrig bat that was returned to Louisville Slugger, thus supporting the fact this type of stamping was possible to have been used in a professional game.
Final Grade (MEARS A5): Per the MEARS grading criteria, this bat is consistent with respect to known player characteristics used by Ruth with respect to model and length, though the weight is lighter than typically recorded. Undocumented as being ordered by Ruth, the exact barrel stampings were found on a documented side written Lou Gehrig professional model bat that has entered the hobby. (92T0688)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS