10 ounces lighter than other bats appearing on Ruth’s documented ordering record after 1920, Ruth did use 35” bats during his career. Ordering 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 bat does exhibit several characteristics consistent with game use by Ruth: First, the handle has been scored to enhance the grip, a characteristic noted on many Babe Ruth game-used bats. Second, there are many ball marks and stitch marks on the left and back barrel. It is well-known that Ruth batted with the center- brand facing downward, so ball and stitch marks on Ruth bats ap- pear on the left barrel. Additionally, it should be noted that Hillerich & Bradsby player ordering records indicate that Ruth ordered “Bone Rubbed” bats with the “250 finish” as early as 1920.
signed a grade of GU 7, acknowledging the possibility that the bat was a team-ordered or index bat, but si- multaneously stating the opinion that the bat was used by Ruth between 1918 and 1920, with medi- um to heavy signs of use and identifiable player use characteristics (the scoring, location of ball and stitch marks, and “Bone Rubbed” and “250 finish” features). This incredible artifact was, until recently, kept on display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Bal- timore, MD for many years in a climate-controlled environ- ment with a number of other important game-used relics. Wonder- fully balanced, a war club by today’s standards, the bat remains in outstanding condition, with very little indication of dead wood or checking, the handle crack barely visible. A tremendous and histori- cally significant item, quite literally a museum piece. Full LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA.
The bat has been examined by John Taube of PSA/DNA and as-
MINIMUM BID: $30,000
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