This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2011
This is an O16 signature model 35" - 32 oz. that has the 1943-49 center brand. If you look at the factory shipping records, you will find an order for 35" O16 models sent to him on 7-24-47, which were ordered by him while he was an active player for the Giants, but someone drew a line through that order. There are some post active career O16 models sent to him in 1949 but they were 34", not 35" and there are no other records for any 35" O16 models to Ott from 1943-49. The question remains, did they send the 35" O16 models and then cross out the order or did they cancel the order?
Louisville Slugger factory records also indicate that on April 4, 1945, Ott was designated as a player that team index bats were supposed to be made off of. This designation does not specify any particular model Ott bat, just his name. During this period, a total of more than 1,700 bats were ordered by the New York Giants organization, which varied in length between 34 and 35 inches in length and the actual player model, there were 11 players in total that were designated as a player that team index bats were supposed to be made off of on April 4, 1945. At this time, Ott had already ordered the O16 model, but he mainly ordered the O23 model during the 1943-49 period.
As for use, the bat shows significant game use with deeply embedded lace marks and perfect factory stamps. There is a 11.5" H-style handle crack, which is present along the back of the barrel, with 5 vintage nails being applied to this section. In addition to the handle crack, deadwood is present along the back of the barrel, which has had one nail applied to the back of the barrel. Given his stature as a Hall of Fame 500 Home Run Hitter, this bat is indeed on many game used bat collectors lists. There is a pencil mark on knob. Bat grades a MEARS A7 with 5 base points, 3 use points and -1 for the 15" handle crack and nails.
00492