In an era of big home run hitters, Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews was among the biggest. Ty Cobb called the Braves’ third baseman’s swing the sweetest he’d ever seen and when Sports Illustrated needed a star for their very first cover, it was Mathews they turned to. Starting in 1953, Mathews had nine seasons of 30 or more home runs, teaming up with Hank Aaron to form the most powerful one-two punch in the National League.

     This bat was made for Mathews’ use in the 1956 All-Star Game held at Washington’s Griffith Stadium. The barrel has Mathews’ signature stamped into it with the special “ALL STAR GAME” above and “WASHINGTON 1956” below. The bat was obtained from Mathews himself by Ray Crump, former Washington Senators bat boy and later the visiting clubhouse manager and home equipment manager when the team moved to Minnesota. The Hillerich & Bradsby S2 model bat is un-cracked and shows no evidence of game use. The model number “S2” is stamped into the knob end. The standard finish has warmed to an attractive golden color. A great All-Star bat from a Hall of Famer and member of the 500 Home Run Club that comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA (1B04447) for the game use.

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