Physical characteristics: Bat measures 34.5” and weighs 43.2 ounces. Bat dates to 1917-1922 based on the design of the center brand. Side written and very strong impression; “Bill Wambsganss 6-3-22 Cleveland BBC”. Bat shows significant game use with a small closed 5” handle crack (reason for return), slight dead wood on the barrel (grain separation from use), vintage nails near player name to repair grain separation and numerous cleat marks. The Masonic emblem is hand carved into the knob. Bat has the remains of the shipping label back to Louisville on the face of the barrel. Dark finish with perfect factory stamps. Grade: MEARS A9. Base grade 5 points for matching factory records, 3 points for heavy use, 2 points for provenance in the form of factory side writing, and 1 full point deducted due to minor closed crack and repaired deadwood. Only Bill Wambsganss bat examined by MEARS that dates to his playing career.
History: On Oct. l0, 1920, Wambsganss made history when he turned the first ever unassisted triple play in World Series history. It happened in Game Five against the Brooklyn Robins while playing for the Cleveland Indians in the series having beat out the Chicago White Sox for the pennant when in August of 1920, the infamous Black Sox had been banned by Landis for life. In the fifth inning of Game Five of the 1920 World Series played at League Park, Wambsganss caught a 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 triple play, completely unassisted, in World Series history. Earlier in the game, Wambsganss' teammate Elmer Smith hit the first grand slam in World Series history off Brooklyn Robins pitcher Burleigh Grimes, in the first inning with none out. This was also the same season that saw the first major league death when Ray Chapman was killed and Joe Sewell was allowed to play in the series for Cleveland even though he did not qualify for play.
Even though the bat was returned in June of 1922, the bat could have been used anytime between 1917 and the return date including that historic 1920 season. This is a bat of great historical association as a relic of one of baseball’s most historic events and seasons.
Bat grades out at the MEARS A9 grade with five points for the base grade, three points for heavy use, two points for the side writing, and a one point deduction for the handle crack and nails.
Collection of MEARS Staff.