6. 1918-21 Babe Ruth (HOF) Game-Used Louisville Slugger Bat (MEARS A7)
Perhaps no piece of sports equipment is more closely associated with a player than a bat is with the great Babe Ruth. Even in editions of the Boston Globe from before the 1918 season, when Ruth was purely a pitcher, articles made reference to the Babe’s batting practice home runs as he entertained teammates and fans with his colossal clouts. By 1919 Ruth’s batting exploits were such that his role as a pitcher became sec- ondary; he led the league in home runs and runs batted in despite starting 15 games on the mound. By his 1920 sale to the Yankees, he was a celebrity, and his notoriety only increased from there. Even today he remains arguably the most famous and beloved figure in American sports, and those bats – the tools of the hitting giant – are among the most highly coveted pieces of sports memorabilia. Presented here is a gorgeous top-of-the-line Louisville Slugger model 250 from early in Ruth’s career, the labeling period dating between 1918 and 1921. The bone-rubbed ash bat measures 35 inches and weighs in at 36.3 ounces, consistent with bats ordered during Ruth’s playing career. The bat exhibits moderate to heavy wear, with professional repair work to the handle and the back of the barrel, both signs of heavy game use. Some very light chipping is visible on the knob, and some damage – perhaps from cleat impressions – is visible at the facsimile signature stamped into the barrel. Though the bat itself does not appear on any of Ruth’s player ordering records, factory records prior to 1920 are very incomplete, and there are no records of specific lengths and weights of bats ordered by Ruth in 1918 and 1919. However, the manufacturing traits are consistent with what Ruth would have ordered. It should be noted that the restoration of this bat was supervised by John Taube of JT Bats, and since John is PSA’s bat authenticator and is aware of the degree of restoration done to the bat, PSA/DNA has declined to authenticate this model. However, the MEARS grade deducts a full point for said restoration, assigning a base grade of 5 with 3 points for the heavy use. Further, the bat is con- sistent with another 250-model Ruth bat sold by Love of the Game for $46,800 several years ago, which carried a grade of PSA/DNA GU 7. An incredible artifact, a wonderfully balanced tool of the trade used by the greatest to ever play. Expertly restored to its playing condition, with very little indication of dead wood or checking, the repaired barrel and handle crack virtually invisible. A tremendous and historically significant item, one of the most important and desirable relic from the game’s greatest name. Full LOA from MEARS. MINIMUM BID: $20,000
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