1. 1918-1921 Babe Ruth (HOF) Game-Used Bat - PSA/DNA GU 7
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 Bos- ton 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 secondary; he led the league in home runs and runs batted in despite starting 15 games on the mound. By his 1920 trade 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 Louisville Slugger model 250 from early in Ruth’s career, the labeling period dating between 1918 and 1921. The bone-rubbed ash bat measures 34.75” and weighs in at 36.9 ounces (the bat would likely appear as a 35”, 40 ounce bat on a Player Ordering Re- cord, were one available), with a slight handle crack and a moderate coat of pine tar. The bat is side-written in vintage grease pencil, with a factory return date of 7-24-23. Up until the 1940s it was commonplace for play- ers to send their preferred bats back to the factory, to request more of the same type. Though side-written bats are considered to be impeccable provenance, in this case, the player’s name is not visible.
Though the bat is approximately one inch shorter and between 3 and
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