Stan Musial, the Hall of Famer and St. Louis Cardinal icon, entered the 1951 season at the ripe old age of 30. While most players began to show the effects of age, Musial was just hitting his prime. Already the winner of three National League MVP awards, Musial’s 1951 season saw the legend hit a league leading runs scored (124) triples (12) and batting average (.355), finishing second only to Roy Campanella in the NL MVP vote. Musial also racked up 32 home runs 108 RBI during his 10th full season.

     Presented here is one of the gamers used by Musial during the 1951 season. This Hillerich & Bradsby M117 model bat, one of the earliest known Stan Musial gamers, shows moderate use and has a crack on the handle. There are a few ball marks visible on the back and left barrel, along with red bat rack streaks. “M117” is stamped on the knob and the handle is heavily covered with white tape. The bat has been signed by 27 members of the 1951 St. Louis Cardinals, including Hall of Famers Musial, Red Schoendienst, and Enos Slaughter. Other signatures on this approximately 30.5-ounce bat feature manager Marty Marion, Bill Sarni, Cloyd Boyer, Joe Garagiola, Ray Blades, Al Brazle, Max Lanier, Ted Wilks, Bill Howerton, Harry Brecheen, Billy Johnson, Stan Rojek, Peanuts Lowery, Howie Pollet, Red Munger, Joe Presko, Mike Ryba, Terry Moore, Tommy Glaviano, Buzzy Wares, Nippy Jones, Solly Hemus, and several more. Musial inscribed “To Denke / Best Wishes” above his signature. The signatures were written in black fountain pen and comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA (1B14043) who have graded this gamer a GU 8 and a LOA from JSA (B42900) for the signatures.

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