Opening Day Auction Closing May 9th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2015
A wonderfully intriguing commemorative piece, this relic highlights the career of P.C.L. and major league slugger Steve Bilko. Although this popular figure did make his mark in the big leagues—playing for several teams between 1949 and 1962, culminating in a stint with the expansion Los Angeles Angels of the A.L.—his most exciting heroics were performed in west coast venues. There, the local favorite—essentially, an L.A. superstar—regularly launched towering home runs to the delight of the crowds, and his power-hitting exploits were enthusiastically followed as the talk of the town. This H&B 35" bat was used by Bilko during the 1961-1963 labeling period. The model G122, 34 oz. bat features "BILKO" on the barrel in block letters. The professional model bat exhibits evidence of heavy use with a handle crack that has been repaired. Some checking (grain swelling) from repeated ball contact is visible on the left barrel. The bat appears to have been refinished. Many ball marks and ball stitch impressions are visible on the left and back barrels. Cleat marks are visible on the front and right barrels. Also visible on the bat are green bat rack streaks. The bat has been signed by Gene Mauch ("7") and George Freese ("9") in black marker; both men were teammates of Bilko's on the 1956 P.C.L. Los Angeles Angels, a campaign that saw Bilko capture that league's Triple Crown. The bat's barrel—inscribed in black marker—reads, "Steve Bilko - 1956 Los Angeles Angels - P.C.L. Champs - M.V.P. - Avg. .360 - H.R. 55 - R.B.I. 164." LOA from John Taube/PSA/DNA and Graded GU-8.