MEARS Monthly Auction #5 ENDS April 28th, 2009, 9:00 CST w/ 15-minute rule

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Lot #19:

1919-20 Hal Chase Spalding Signature Model Bat

Physical characteristics; Rare two year offering by Spalding. Bat is 34.5”-36.5 oz. It is a standard retail model that was returned by someone to H&B as evidenced by the side writing that is too far worn to read. Bat shows tremendous use on all sides. Finish and markings are fine and deep. The remains of the shipping label to H&B are still on the barrel face. On the handle, someone has lightly carved HTMT. Bat has a small closed 3” handle crack with cleat marks about the barrel. Graded authentic since bat is a standard catalog offering. This is the first Chase model we have seen in over a decade and possibly the hardest to find of all Spalding model bats. History; During his career, he played for the New York Highlanders (1905-1913), Chicago White Sox (1913-1914), Buffalo Blues (1914-1915), Cincinnati Reds (1916-1918), and New York Giants (1919). No lesser figures than Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson named him the best first baseman ever, and contemporary reports describe his glovework as outstanding. He is sometimes considered the first true star of the franchise that would eventually become the New York Yankees. In 1981, 62 years after his last major league game, baseball historians Lawrence Ritter and Donald Honig included him in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time. Chase was banned from baseball for life after the 1919 season due to proof that he bet on baseball games. LOA MEARS