For 22 summers Mel Ott held down right field for the New York Giants. When he was discovered by John McGraw in the early 1920’s he refused to send the kid to the minors for fear some manager would try to change his distinctive raised leg batting style, thus ruining a natural hitter. McGraw was correct because Ott became a 6-time home run champ and one of the most feared hitters in National League history. This bat dated from Ott’s last years as an active player in which he became the first National Leaguer to reach the 500-career home run mark. The Louisville Slugger O16 model bat shows tremendous game use with a cracked handle that has been secured with 5 clubhouse nails. The bat’s barrel shows checking which has also been secured with one nail. There are many ball marks and stitch impressions visible, just as you’d expect from the Hall of Famer. One of the hardest game used bats of all the 500 Home Run Club members to obtain. MEARS has thoroughly examined this bat and graded it an A7.