This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/2/2017
Bill Wambsganss made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1914. He became a starting second baseball and shortstop and appeared in 769 games where he amassed 762 hits and compiled a batting average of .269 during the 1917-1922 dating period of the bat’s centerbrand label.
1917: 141 games, 127 Hits
1918: 87 games, 93 Hits
1919: 139 games, 146 Hits
1920: 153 games, 138 Hits
1921: 107 games, 117 Hits
1922: 142 games, 141 Hits
Wambsganss became a part of baseball history during the 1920 World Series. In game five of the 1920 World Series played at League Park, Wambsganss caught a fifth-inning line drive batted by Clarence Mitchell, stepped on second base to retire Pete Kilduff, and tagged Otto Miller coming from first base, to complete the first, and to date, only unassisted triple play in World Series history.
This lot offers a tangible connection to Wamby’s unassisted World Series Triple play. The bat has been professionally authenticated and graded by the expert staff of MEARS. Our findings:
Dating (1917-1922): Per the Official MEARS Bat Centerbrand dating, the bat was manufactured by the Louisville Slugger Company during the 1917-1922 era.
The bat measures 34.5” and weighs a whopping 42 ounces.
Side Writing: Written on the side of the bat in period grease pencil is “Bill Wambgauss 6-3-22, Cleveland B.B.C”. Although misspelled, the bat was returned by Wambsganss as supported by the Cleveland BBC inscription. The remnants of a return label has been found left of the player’s name.
The side writing documents the fact the bat was indeed used by Wamby while playing for the Cleveland Indians and sent back to the Louisville Slugger factory on June 3rd, 1922 to have additional models crafted for his use. The side writing verifies when the bat was returned, and it is only reasonable to conclude that based on the heavy degree of use, the bat was used for multiple games and/or seasons. The dating of the bat does include the 1920 era, so it cannot be ruled out 100% that the bat did not see use during the historic 1920 season, but there is no evidence to support it saw action during that historic event. Regardless, it is absolutely certain that the bat was used exclusively by Bill Wambsganss.
To our knowledge, this is the only playing era Wamby bat known to exist. Another post career has entered the hobby, “1932 Signature Model “Fort Wayne of the Central League”.
Game Use: Bat exhibits significant use present primarily on bottom and front of the barrel. Six vintage nails are present on front of the barrel just below the barrel signature and keep the barrel deadwood in check. A Masonic logo has been carved into the knob of the bat. When the bat first entered the hobby, it had a slight 7" handle crack which has been professionally repaired.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): 5 points were awarded for the bat being consistent with length, weight, and model of what Wambsganss would have used during the era. 3 points assigned for heavy game use. 2 points for factory side writing and remnants of return shipping label.
(02D0570)