This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/2/2016
1970-1971 Brooks Robinson Baltimore Orioles World Champions Era H&B Louisville Slugger Game Used Bat (MEARS A10) “World Series MVP Era”
Brooks Robinson, 6’1” and weighing 180 pounds, is considered the greatest defensive third baseman of all time. For 23 seasons he anchored the hot corner of the Baltimore Orioles and was nicknamed the “Human Vacuum Cleaner” for his defensive prowess. During the 1970-1971 seasons, Brooks Robinson was an all-star both seasons, and a two time gold glove recipient.
High grade bats are becoming increasingly difficult to locate and this lot offers an advanced collector the rare opportunity to obtain a bat pinpointed to a two year span of Robinson’s career, and from a time he was honored as the World Series MVP and the Baltimore Orioles were World Champions!
The pinpointing of the two year window during the time the Orioles were World Series Champions (1970) & American League Champions (1971) is determined by a review of Brooks Robinson’s personal H&B Louisville Slugger bat records. The model, E37, gave us our starting point.
History of the E37 Model during the 1969-1972 Labeling Period
According to the Official MEARS Bat Center brand Label Guide, the center brand of the bat dates to the 1969-1972 era. Stamped on the knob is E37, the model number. Review of his H&B bat records show the following entries:
E37: 2-28-70, 34 ½”, 33 ounces, (A12)
E37: 3-28-70, 34 ½”, 33 ounces, (A4)
E37: 9-8-70, 34 ½”, 33 ounces, (A2)
E37: 4-2-71, 34 1/2”, 33 ounces, (A6)
E37: 5-17-71, 34 1/2", 33 ounces, (12)
E37: 6-23-71, 34 ½”, 33 ounces, (A6)
The A followed by the number stands for ash bats and the quantity ordered. Robinson did not use the E37 model after the 1971 season as he switched to the Mc44, A94, C251, and S256 models making this model obsolete to his career after that point.
Therefore, based on the dating of the centebrand (1969-1972), model number (E37), length (34 1/2”), and weight (33 ounces), this bat was ordered by Brooks Robinson exclusively in 1970 and 1971. Current examination of the bat confirms its 34 ½” length and 33 ounces.
With respect to game use and player traits, this bat is un-improvable. Heavy game use is evenly distributed from the knob to the barrel end. Starting at the knob, Robinson’s uniform number 5 is applied in period black marker. 9” of white handle taped, tightly twisted, is found on the handle and consistent with period images of Brooks Robinson from the period. The remainder of the barrel has multiple ball, stitch, and seam marks. On the reverse of the barrel are the beginning signs of deadwood, the repeated result of contact of bat to ball, a positive game use trait. Approximately 4” above the top of the handle tape line is a 1 ½” beginning crack which runs across the grain. It is very subtle with no signs of raised grain. It may have been repaired at one time, but could not be confirmed. Due to the insignificance of it degree, no points were deducted when grading and it is only mentioned for the record.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): 5 points were assigned for the bat matching Brooks Robinson’s personal bat records, 3 points were assigned for optimal game use, plus 2 points for player traits in the form of the documented 5 on the knob and player specific handle tape.
One of the finest Brooks Robinson’s bats known.
(95W0275)
(MEARS Auction LOA; JSA Auction Letter)