This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/6/2024
1926-1930 Babe Ruth New York Yankees “Bat Logo” Hanna Batrite Professional Model Game Used Bat (MEARS LOA) “RUTH Player Exclusive Model”
Babe Ruth bats are constantly in high demand and the dream of almost every baseball fan to own. For this lot, MEARS is excited to present a very unique offering.
The Bat Logo was found on 1920s Batrite bats. In 1930, due to a lawsuit with Louisville Slugger, Batrite began to stamp the knob with a 1930 Patent Pending logo. This bat does not have that, so it pre-dates that practice.
Measuring 34”, this bat is shorter than the normal 35” and 36” ordered by Ruth at the height of his career, but still meets the classification of a professional model bat which would have been ordered to be used by Ruth. The Bambino was quoted as saying he sometimes used a 34” bat, so this bat would be consistent with Ruth’s own written testimony. 34 (the length) is stamped on the knob, which was a practice found on Batrite bats and does not disqualify them from being professional models like their Louisville Slugger counterparts.
Currently weighing 36 ounces, the bat is consistent with the weight (36) of bats ordered by Ruth during his professional baseball career.
Player ID: The rare and very desirable “RUTH” only name appears on the barrel end. Batrite bats from the era were found with TA (tempered ash) and the player’s model number flanking the player name. That design was found on both professional and store model bats. “RUTH” (name only) is classified as player only, therefore this bat is consistent with Batrite’s practice of designating these bats exclusively as player only ordered.
Model: This bat exhibits the very popular, “Bat Logo” centerbrand. Deeply stamped the centerbrand design reads, “Burke Batrite, Hanna Mfg. Co. Athens, GA, Reg US Pat Off”. No model numbers or any other designators are found, which is an exclusive trait of “player only” stampings. Some Batrite bat’s were found with markings that were found on both player and store model bats, this bat is an exclusive player only model.
Upon review, the Hanna Batrite model is very similar to Ruth’s R34 favored model, and may have been copied/duplicated from his very own Louisville Slugger.
Bat exhibits heavy use with ball marks, stitch marks, and a cracked handle which has been repaired with period screws. The repair is not consistent with MLB team repairs, and MEARS believe the crack and repair was not done by Ruth. MEARS does feel the bat was a model ordered by Ruth, and it’s marking exclusive to professional players only and not available to the general public.
Bat has been reviewed by the staff of MEARS and issued a MEARS Authentic LOA. The bat is a professional model only due to the Bat Logo and block letter “RUTH” only found on the barrel. With the player only name on barrel, MEARS also feels that the 34” length was ordered by Ruth, as this barrel stamping is documented as player only. Heavy use with later crack and repair.
(90P0267)
(MEARS Auction LOA)