Offered is the first signature model Al Lopez bat that MEARS has ever examined that dates to his playing days. This bat dates to the end of his Hall of Fame career as a catcher where he played with the Pirates from 1940-46 , with the Indians in 1947 and finishing with the Indianapolis Indians in 1948. He also caught for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1928-35 as well as the Braves and Boston Bees from 1936-40. During this time, he established a major league record for career games as a catcher. Lopez' largest contributions to baseball began in 1951, when he became the manager of the Cleveland Indians, a position he would hold until 1956. In 1954, the Indians won the American League pennant. He was also the manager of the White Sox in 1959 when they won their first pennant since 1919. This bat could be greatly improved with a professional restoration of the missing back piece.
Block/Script Name: script
Label Period: 46-49
Year/s Used: 46-48
Teams Played During Era of Bat: Pirate / Indians
Other Teams Played:
Majors: Brooklyn & Boston Braves/Bees
Minors: Indianapolis
Mfg: H&B
Model Number: R43
Length: 35
Weight: 33.8
Side Writing: no
Vault Marks: no
Game Use: heavy
Ball Marks: top of barrel
Swelling: top of barrel
Grain Separation: 8" piece off back of barrel
Cleat Marks: yes
Rack Marks: no
Nails/Screws: yes, on back of barrel and handle repair
Cracked: yes, 3"
Pine Tar: no
Handle Tape: no
Handle Crack: yes
Barrel Crack: no
Dents/Gouges:no
Autographed: no
Uniform Number: no
Knob Markings: model
Barrel Markings: no
Finish: ash
Provenance: no
Factory Records: yes
Player Traits: unknown
Grade: A5.5 with 5 base points, 3 use points, minus 2 for back and minus .5 for handle
MEARS Pop. Report: Only one recorded from playing days.
Comments: 00825