This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/30/2015
Forever known as Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks will forever be the face of Chicago Cubs baseball. “There’s sunshine, fresh air, and the teams behind us. Let’s play two” he was fond of saying. A native of Dallas, Texas, 19-year-old Ernie Banks debuted for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in 1950. After two years in the Army, Banks returned to the Monarchs, who sold his contract to the Chicago Cubs in 1953. His debut on September 17th marked the first appearance of an African-American player for the franchise.
Banks started every game at shortstop for the Cubs in 1954, finishing 2nd in NL Rookie-of The Year voting and 16th in MVP voting. Banks would go on to win Most Valuable Player Awards in 1958 and ’59.
Banks was an excellent defensive player at two positions, shortstop from 1953-61, and first base from 1962-71.
It was with the bat that Banks really shone, however, hitting over 40 homers five times and leading the league twice in homers and twice in RBI. He was a three-time .300 hitter who compiled a lifetime batting average of .274, along with 2583 hits, 1305 runs scored, and 1636 runs batted in. On May 12, 1970, he hit the 500th home run of his career, becoming just the ninth player and first shortstop to reach the plateau. He finished with 512.
Collectors attempting to complete world class 500 Homerun Club collections have all realized how rare it is to obtain high grade, pre 1960 examples of Ernie Banks bats. According to the PSA/DNA SMR (Sports Market Report) 1950’s Ernie Banks are valued at $6500+ (a 1958 Ernie Banks bat sold for $6,270 in 2010). MEARS has conducted a complete evaluation of this bat, the results:
Dating (1955-60): Per the MEARS official bat centerbrand guide, the centerbrand of this bat was manufactured during the 1950-60 timespan. Review of Ernie Bank’s personal bat records reveal this bat, S2, was ordered matching these specifications during the 1955-60 timespan.
Model S2: Favored by Banks, the S2 was first adopted by Ernie Banks in 1955 and used throughout the course of his career. S2 is factory stamped on the knob.
Length 35”: Bat measures 35” which is consistent with what Ernie Banks ordered during the referenced time frame.
Weight 30.5 ounces: Bank’s records indicate he ordered 31-34 ounce bat during this time frame, this bat falls within that ordering range.
Game Use: Bat exhibits heavy game use. Ball and seam marks are found scattered on the barrel. Cleat marks are visible. A 4” layer of slight separation of deadwood is found on the reverse of the bat. Although this model bat was ordered numerous times from 1955-60, it falls within the timeframe for which Ernie Banks would have used this exact model during his 1958 and 1959 seasons. Those dates are historically important as this bat would have been available for Ernie Banks to use while he won two back to back MVP awards.
During the 1958 MVP season, Banks flirted with the Triple Crown, hitting a major league high 47 HRs (career high also), major league leading 129 RBI’s, and batted .313.
For his second consecutive MVP season of 1959, Banks hit 45 HRs, .143 RBI’s, and batted .304. With support of factory records to the era and a very special personally autographed inscription, this bat is worthy of the most prestigious collection.
Autograph: Signed at an autograph convention, “Let’s Play Two, 512 HRs, Ernie Banks, Game Bat, 1958/59 MVP” is neatly written in near mint black sharpie. JSA auction letter to accompany.
Final Grade MEARS A8: A base grade of 5 points was assigned for bat matching factory records, 3 points for heavy game use, 1 point for player autograph inscription, minus ½ for discoloration on barrel end, minus ½ for deadwood on reverse of barrel. (81I9994)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS
(JSA Auction Letter)