This is a 1926-27 Rogers Hornsby Louisville Slugger Hillerich & Bradsby Professional Model Game Used Bat. This bat dates to the 1926-27 period based on the amount of use present along the barrel of the bat and the sidewriting, which reads "38 oz Roger Hornsby 4-28-27". This bat currently weighs in at 38.4 ounces and measures 35 inches in length.
This bat displays an optimal amount of game use as last used by Rogers Hornsby. The use is visible through the following characteristics:
1. 8 small batting nails along the back of the barrel.
2. The remnants of the shipping label (approximately 2"x3") between the centerbrand and the barrel signature.
3. A 3"x9" section of the hitting surface has been absolutely pounded resulting in a flattened hitting surface just above the barrel stampings.
4. Three distinct cleat marks are visible along the barrel.
5. Patina/use covers 100% of the surface starting at the knob and extending all the way down the bat through the barrel end.
6. The knob of the bat has a very minor chip in it, which in no way affects the aesthetics of the bat.
7. A 1 1/2" x 12" flattened hitting surface has been shaved down and "38 oz Roger Hornsby 4-28-27" has been written on it along the bottom of the barrel.
8. A 13" H-style handle crack appears along the bottom of the handle, only slightly taking away from the visual appeal of the bat.
This bat originated directly from the vaults at Hillerich &+ Bradsby's production plant in Louisville, Kentucky as evidenced by the remnants of the original shipping label and the vintage period-style side writing. Judging by the amount of use present along the bat and the early in the year date that this bat was sent in this bat was most likely used during the previous season, 1926, along with the a few games early in the 1927 season.
This bat also has special meaning to history of the Hillerich & Bradsby bat production and recording for Hornsby. This very side written model, "38 oz Roger Hornsby 4-28-27" appears in the factory records specifically notated for the first time in 1928. This bat was later designated by Hillerich & Bradsby as the H117 model bat. All future orders of this model originated from the style of this exact bat.
This bat was quite important to the evolution of bat records for Hornsby as his previous model was listed as "His 3/13/27 off of Mann, Leslie." With the introduction of this "38 oz Roger Hornsby 4-28-27" example, all future Hillerich & Bradsby factory records reference this very bat as "his Hornsby". Hillerich & Bradsby factory records show that he continued to order bats made from this exact model until 1938. All of the Hillerich & Bradsby factory player entries confirm orders as "his Hornsby" as verified by the Hillerich & Bradsby factory records.
Hornsby is among the greatest hitters in baseball history. He is the only player to win the National League Triple Crown twice. His career batting average of .358 is the highest in National League history, which also ranks as the highest batting average of any right handed hitter in major league history. His batting average for the 1924 season was .424, a mark that no player since has matched. Hornsby was elected into The Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot, a feat which at the time was hard to accomplish, with 78.1% of the vote in 1942.He has also been given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
During the 1926 season, Hornsby was a player/manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, who became World Champions after defeating the New York Yankees in a seven game World Series. Game 7 of the World Series ended when Hornsby tagged out Babe Ruth at second base as Ruth attempted to steal second base. This was the Cardinals first World Series Championship. After the 1926 season, Hornsby was traded away from St. Louis to the New York Giants, where he played for only a single season. During the 1927 season, Hornsby hit .361 while leading the league in runs scored, 133, walks, 86, and on base percentage, .448.
Overall this is one of the finest gamers of Hornsby's that has ever been seen by the MEARS Staff. It dates to the first World Series Championship of his career and of the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
This bat grades out at the MEARS A9 grade with five points for the base grade, three points for the heavy use, two points for the provenance per the Hillerich & Bradsby side writing and shipping label remnants, and a one point deduction for the handle crack present along the bottom of the handle.