This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2010
Offered is a signature model U1 that measures 34" and weighs 32 oz which corresponds with factory shipping records from 1946 through 1949. The factory stamps are fine and the bat shows tons of heavy use. Some judicious restoration could fix the deadwood and lifting on back of the barrel and there are some small chips on the knob and 7" of black handle tape (very old) over a handle crack and some light stains on barrel end. The bat grades a MEARS A5 with 5 base points, 3 use points and minus 3 for mentioned condition issues.
Waitkus played for the Chicago Cubs from 1941-48 and with the Phillies in 1949 and the Whiz Kids of 1950. The Natural, both the book and movie, were loosely base on the life of Eddie Waitkus. Eddie was having a fine pro baseball career, when on the night of June 14, 1949 an obsessed girl, Ruth Ann Steinhagen, lured him into a hotel room and shot him. This bat dates to the era of the shooting incident.
00168