This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2009
While side writing only indicates when the bat was returned to Hillerich and Bradsby, this bat features the annotation of “Hank Greenberg, 5/20/38 in small pencil.” It should be noted that on the barrel end you can see the faint remains of “Hank Greenberg, 5-20-38”. This area has been professionally cleaned as the original side writing appears to have been traced over at some point. The owner wanted to restore the bat back to its original condition. This bat does however feature this same information on the handle and this annotation is both original and remains unaltered. While this date of 5/20/38 opens the possibility of the bat being from a pervious season(s), we feel this bat can be objectively placed to 1938 because of a combination of factors:
1. Although bats may be off variance from the length recorded in the production records to meet weight requirements, this bat is currently 35 5/8 inches in length. This is a known length for Greenberg, and according to his production information is unique to 1938. Although Greenberg did order 36 inch bats prior to 1938, these bats were specifically produced at this length with a half round barrel. This bat features a full round barrel. As such, it was not considered to be a candidate as being a 36” bat shortened by hand sanding to 35 5/8” in order to meet weight specifications.
2. In looking at Vince Malta’s guide, the closest combination of centerbrand and “Powerized” appears to the C-7 Brand (1936-1939) and the P-2 “Powerized” from 1934-1937. However, this bat’s centerbrand is not the same as the C-7 brand on the alignment of the “K” under the “U.S.A.” This difference is not one likely attributed to being a change due to repeated temperature change of the centerbarnd during the stamping process and use. This difference is positional in nature and not a change of character shape. As such we can only say it appears to be similar to branding found in the 1936-1939 period.
With the bat having been sidewritten May 20th 1938, it precludes it from being 1939-1940 which are the tail ends for brand C-7/Powerized combination or ones that may be similar in appearance.
The current length and barrel configuration appear to preclude it from being sanded 36” bat from 1936-1937. This leaves 1938 as the most likely year, one that appears to supported by his order of two round end barrels (which this bat features) and at a length of 35 5/8” on 3/30/38. These orders also predate the sidewriting which is essential.
With respect to use and condition, this bat exhibits heavy game use. Heavy game wear can be found starting at the knob, extending up the handle is the remnants of handle tape and pine tar. On the area of the reverse handle there is the start of deadwood, but there is no real separation. On the barrel end on both sides is visible game use. On the reverse of the barrel is 2 layers of deadwood that have began to separate, but was nailed down with 3 vintage nail repairs. A green color back rack mark is found near the area of the handle. Additionally, the handle shows remnants of twisted tape and a moderate to heavy coat of pine tar. This combination of pine tar and tape is consistent with the two images that accompany this lot.
What then is being offered for your consideration is a bat that we feel can be objectively placed to the 1938 season, a season in which Hank Greenberg made his run at then baseball’s most hallowed record of 60 home runs set by Babe Ruth in 1927. Although Greenberg came up short in 1938 with 59 circuit clouts, your collection will not come up short by adding this historic bat that was obtained as part of the original Louisville Slugger find.
Final Grade: MEARS A9.5 . Bat was awarded 5 points for factory record analysis with respect to weight, length, and design, 3 points for heavy game use, 2 points for sidewriting/player characteristics, minus ½ for missing handle tape.