This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2021
Born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, America soon became to know him a Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio. His professional career began with the PCL Seals in his hometown of San Francisco, CA. At age 17, the San Francisco Seals needed another body, and DiMaggio appeared in 3 games. During this brief exposure to the professional game, the young DiMaggio came into contact with Bill Brenzel who would have a big impact on the tools of his major league career.
While with the Seals in 1932, Brenzel batted .295 and appeared in 55 games. Brenzel must have left an impression on his young teammate. While discussing the finer points of professional baseball, Brenzel gifted the young DiMaggio one of his personal Louisville Slugger bats.
It became a favorite to Joe, because when DiMaggio placed his original professional bat order with the Louisville Slugger company in 1933, he requested that the exact model be made for him. He returned the gifted Brenzel model bat to the factory to have his very first bat produced, which would be bear his very own signature.
For the next 14 years he steadily modified the Brenzel design, thus perfecting his own personal version, the D29. His earliest modification was to add a “Ruth” or large knob. His records document both versions, small / large knob through his early career. Joe DiMaggio did like and routinely used the small knob bat.
Examination of photographic evidence supports his preference to the small knob variety. Documented (via photographs) use of the small knob includes the following years:
1933
1937
1939
1940
2-undated photos
DiMaggio’s personal H&B bat records reveal he ordered the small knob bat (D29) during:
1933 Bill Brenzel order
7-23-35 his model, no mention of large knob – now referenced as “his model”
3-30-37 (his 7-23-35 order, 35”) smaller handle
5-18-37 (his 7-23-35 order, 35”) smaller handle
8-6-37 (his 7-23-35 order, 35”) smaller handle
9-30-37 (his 7-23-35 order, 35”) smaller handle
6-16-38 (his 7-23-35 order, 35”) smaller handle
It is assumed the smaller handle bats either are a reference to the small knob or a modification of the small knobbed bats. This assumption is based on the fact that any DiMaggio bat with a large or Ruth knob was clearly identified as such in the records and those listings without the reference are assumed to be the small knob varieties.
In my opinion, the above records support the small knob 35” Joe DiMaggio bats as being ordered during the 1935-40 era. The weights averaged 35-38 ounces. Continuing the review of his records, DiMaggio ordered:
8-16-38 #15 model sent in – No reference of large knob, 35”
9-28-38 (his 8-16-38 order, 35”) assumed small knob, 35"
6-10-39 use model sent in, first time designated as the D29, 35”
7-29-39 (his 6-10-39 D29 model) 35”
8-29-39 (his 6-10-39 D29 model) 35”
9-29-39 (his 6-10-39 D29 model) World Series Order 35”
3-12-40 (his 6-10-39 D29 model) 35”
4-4-40 (his 6-10-39 D29 model) 35”
5-11-40 (his 6-10-39 D29 model) 35”
Therefore, during 1939-40, DiMaggio perfected the model that would bear is model, the D29. The original version of the D29 was designed with a small knob.
During the time span of this bats broad labeling period, 1935-40, DiMaggio won the 1935 PCL Championship, 1936, 1937, 1938, & 1939 World Series Championships and appeared in the 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 and 1940 All Star Games.
Measuring 35”, this bat is consistent with respects to length of the previously listed bats from 1935-40. Actual examples that have entered the hobby include:
1936-44, 35”, 34 ounces (MEARS #258486)
Currently weighing 32.5 ounces, this bat is within the acceptable weight range for Joe DiMaggio bats from the 1935-40 with weight loss taken into consideration.
Game Use: Bat exhibits heavy game use. Ball marks, deep seam marks, are found above and below the barrel surface. The handle remains uncracked. Several deep indentations were found on the barrel that required professional restoration.
Final Grade (MEARS A7): Base grade 5 points for bat being consistent with Joe DiMaggio records with respect to length, weight, and model. 3 points were assigned for bat having heavy game use. Minus 1 point for indentations to the barrel.
***PSA/DNA hologram/LOA idnetifying bat as a 1946-48 Pro Stock/Team Index model will also attend*** (45U0037)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS