This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2009
Offered is a signature model game used bat that measures 34.5” and weighs 37.5oz. Lloyd Waner bats are among the rarest of all pre war Hall of Fame game bats and this one would compliment the highest caliber collection. The factory stamps are perfect and the bat shows incredible game use with a bit of grain separation on the barrel with use evident on all sides. Factory records show that Waner ordered these model bats in 1928 and 1929 as well as 1931 but given this is not a Powerized and Patent Pending bat and that it currently weighs almost 38 oz with 36oz bats listed in 1931, this bat was most likely used by Little Poison in 1928 and/or 1929. The bat garnered 5 base points with 3 use points and a half point deduction due to the minor grain separation on barrel.
Waner broke into the majors with his brother's team, Pittsburgh Pirates in 1927 and quickly built the reputation of a slap hitter with an astute sense of plate discipline. In his rookie campaign, he batted .355 with 223 hits while only striking out 23 times (the highest strikeout total of his career).
Waner played for the Pirates until the beginning of the 1941 season. In the preceding years he batted .300 or higher ten times, finished in the top ten in MVP voting twice (1927 and 1929) and was an All-Star once (1938).
Collection of MEARS staff.