This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/27/2002.
Is 16 years old too young to be brought up to the Major Leagues? According to Giants manager John McGraw, it wasn't when you were concerned that some minor league manager would tamper with the prettiest swing this side of Gretna, LA. "Master Melvin" rode the pines and didn't hit his first major league home run until the age of 18, but 510 home runs later, Ott was the NL record holder until Willie Mays topped him 20 years later. Ironically, Ott was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1951, the year Mays, his heir apparent as Mr. Giant, took up his residence at the Polo Grounds.
This Hillerich and Bradsby beauty is 35 inches long and weighs 34.6 ounces and has a labeling period of 1942-43. The barrel shows nice wear from ball contact and the handle, which has a repaired crack, has been grooved for grip.
A major bonus are 19 vintage ballpoint signatures from the 1946 Philadelphia A's including HOFers Al Simmons, George Kell and Connie Mack. Beautifully emblazoned on the verso is "Base Ball's "Grand Old Man" - 1946 Philadelphia Athletics." The bat has been lightly refinished to protect the signatures and small mounting holes are in the knob and top of barrel.