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

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Lot #21:

1921-27 Lew Fonseca H&B Professional Model Side Written Game Used Bat

Physical characteristics; Bat is a signature model H&B. It measures 35”-37.5 oz. Bat was ordered by Fonseca but returned by Ted Hank on 8-5-27 as evidenced by the Henry Morrow side writing. The bat shows good use with some slight dead wood or grain separation on the barrel. There is a 7’ handle crack and cleat marks about the barrel. Most of the use is on top and on the back of the barrel. Bat is a two player bat having been ordered by Fonseca and then returned by Hank. Bat grades an A7.5 with a base 5 points and 3 for use with -.5 for the handle crack. History; Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox over a 12-year career. While not a power hitter, he did manage to hit for average and was a good contact hitter for most of his career. He topped the .300 mark six times, with his best season coming in 1929 with the Indians, when he hit .369 to win the American League batting title. What made it remarkable was that he was coming off a 1928 season in which he broke his leg. Unfortunately, his success was short-lived, as he broke his arm in 1930, and a torn ligament in his leg ended his playing career prematurely. Fonseca is perhaps best known as one of the first men to use film in analyzing baseball games and finding flaws in players. LOA MEARS