This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2010
The offered Groh bat is an example of what has become a baseball legend, the original bottle bat. Numerous photographs exist (Spalding exhibit card included for reference) showing Groh posed with the distinctive bat that he made famous. This example is the rarest example in that it dates to his earliest years in baseball up to and including the infamous 1919 World Series in which Groh was a star player with the Cincinnati Reds.
The bat itself is a block letter last name only bat with only the words "Spalding" stamped on the center and the Spalding logo on the knob. It measures 33" and weighs a whopping 40.4 oz, partly due to the fact that there is a vintage lead weight set into the barrel end. The factory stamps are extremely deep and defined. As to the aspects of game use, this bat had to be a favorite and used by Groh for an indefinite time frame as evidenced by the numerous cleat marks about the barrel and swelling on all the hitting surfaces. There is some light grain separation about the barrel and a small layer chip on the fact but remains uncracked. There overall grade is an A7 with 5 base points, 3 points for use and minus 1 point for the grain separation. MEARS has only evaluated one other Spalding Heinie Groh bat which graded an A8 making this a very rare bat indeed.
During the era in which this bat was use, Groh played for John McGraw's New York Giants 1912-13 and with the Reds from 1913-21.
Professional authentication & grading Letter of Opinion provided by MEARS/Troy R. Kinunen
Collection of MEARS staff.