This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/27/2011
Rare Dale Long H&B signature model game used bat, bearing a vintage Dale Long autograph. Exact model as his teammate Ernie Banks, Dale Long was using this S2 model. This Dale Long H&B bat measures 34” in length and currently weighs 34 ounces. Bat exhibits heavy game use, a unique scored handle, and deeply embedded ball marks. The only shipment recorded to Long was on 5-13-57 while Long was playing with the Cubs.
Long spent six seasons in minor leagues playing for five different organizations before he debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1951, ending the season with the St. Louis Browns. After three and a half more seasons in the minors, Pittsburgh gave Long another chance to play in the majors. He hit a solid .291 average with 79 RBI, collecting double figures in extra bases with 19 doubles, 13 triples and 16 home runs. In 1956, Long posted career-highs in home runs (27) and RBI (91) and also made the National League All-Star team, but he was sure to put his name in the records books for hitting eight home runs in eight consecutive games between May 19 and May 28. Since then, the mark has been matched only by Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey, Jr. (1993), both in the American League.
Traded to the Chicago Cubs in May 1957, Long belted 55 homers for the Cubs in two and a half seasons. But again, he was part of the major league records. In 1958 Long became the first left-handed throwing catcher since 1924, and in 1959 he tied another home run record, when he hit back-to-back pinch-hit homers. In 1960 Long divided his playing time between the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. As a member of the Yankees, he faced his former Pirates team in the 1960 World Series. The Series ended in dramatic fashion with Pittsburgh's second baseman Bill Mazeroski hitting a series-winning home run in Game Seven. Long played for the Washington Senators from 1961-62, but was also on the Yankees team that won the 1962 World Series over the Giants. He finished his playing career in 1963. Following his retirement, he served as a Yankee coach and later as an umpire in minor league baseball. In a 10-season career, Long was a .267 hitter with 132 home runs and 467 RBI in 1013 games.
Final Grade MEARS A9. Base grade 5 for bat matching factory records, 3 points for heavy use, and one point for vintage autograph and pinpoint factory record. LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS Auctions