In the days before Ty Cobb, Napoleon Lajoie was the best hitter in baseball. He won the Triple Crown in 1901 and took five consecutive batting crowns from 1901 through 1905. Lajoie was so popular with the Cleveland fans that from 1903 to 1913 the team was called the “Naps” in his honor. This offered bat dates to the 1905 - 1910 period in which Lajoie was the greatest hitter in the game. In the early years of the century, Boston sports equipment maker Wright & Ditson contracted with Lajoie to put his name on a bat of the type he himself used.

The retail model bat displays heavy use and is un-cracked. The Wright & Ditson center brand stamping is deep and legible as is the “LAJOIE” block letter stamping on the barrel. There are many ball marks throughout along with cleat imprints and abrasions from contact with other equipment and age. The handle has been taped in a spiral pattern of black friction tape to enhance the grip. The bulk of the wrap is still secure but some near the base has unwound, exposing the wood handle. The wood has taken on a deep brown tone against which the factory stamping presents well. A choice bat from one of the stars of the Deadball Era, Nap Lajoie. The bat shows heavy use and is un-cracked. The This bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B18222) which classifies this bat as a retail model bat.

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