This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/4/2015
Hanna Batrite certainly gave Louisville Slugger a run for their money when trying to grab market share. It is documented that Ruth, Gehrig, & DiMaggio used Batrite bats at various times during their careers. Lou Gehrig was even asked to provide sworn testimony that supported his use of the Batrite brand.
Unlike H&B professional model bats, the markings on a Hanna Batrite can be ambiguous with respects of retail vs. professional model usage.
This example, “George Driver, TA Ruth 55 Steel Temper” is considered to be both a retail and professional model. Similar examples were found in surviving Batrite dealer catalogs. But, this exact same barrel stamping was found a Lou Gehrig bat that was returned to Louisville Slugger so Gehrig could have an exact H&B modeled after the returned Batrite.
Without provenance, the exact history of this bat is lost to time, but we do know the following:
Length 35”, Weight 38 ounces, and model (5), is consistent with the type of bat Babe Ruth used during the 1930-34 era.
Bat exhibits heavy game use, deadwood on the reverse of barrel, and cleat marks. A small chip is found on the knob.
With Ruth bats soaring to $50,000- $500,000, this is an affordable example of a model bat favorite by the New York Yankees during the 1930s.
Final Grade (MEARS A5): Per the MEARS grading criteria, this bat is consistent with respect to known player characteristics used by Ruth with respect to model, weight, and length. Undocumented as being ordered by Ruth, the exact barrel stampings were found on a documented side written Lou Gehrig bat that has entered the hobby. (73A0581)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS