This lot closes on May 23rd, 2021 at 10:00 PM EDT for initial bids.

If you lined up 10 random men and was asked to pick out the one who hit 56 home runs and set the record for RBI in a single season, Hack Wilson would be probably not have been one of the first choices. Wilson was a stout 5’ 6” with hands so small that he had to use specially made bats with dinner handles, and built like a beer keg perched on tooth picks shod in size 5 cleats.

Regardless of how he appeared, for a few precious seasons Hack Wilson was the National League’s answer to Babe Ruth. The ebullient slugger embodied everything decadent about 1920’s Chicago, and his nightlife antics made him as much of a star as his on-field heroics did. After leading his Chicago Cubs to the NL Pennant in 1929, Wilson followed that year up with one of the most incredible seasons ever recorded in modern times: 191 RBI (still the record), .356 average, 56 home runs, .454 on-base-percentage and .723 slugging percentage. The Baseball Writers of America voted Wilson the “Most Useful Player” in the National League (now known as the MVP Award). Due to alcoholism and a change in management, Wilson’s career declined rapidly and the one-time National League Babe Ruth was out of baseball by 1934.

Because of Hack’s quick rise and even quicker fall, any game used pieces are extremely sought after. However, this offered Hillerich & Bradsby “His Model” 1-30-26 bat is a real find. This bat dates to Wilson’s first year with the Chicago Cubs when he led the National League in home runs with 21 and in walks with 69. Wilson’s 170 hits produced a lofty .321 average and 109 RBI, the first time he hit more than a 100 RBI in his career. This bat displays excellent game use and is un-cracked. There are several vintage ball marks visible on the right, left and back barrel. PSA/DNA has opined that three ball scuffs on the barrel are not game related and they state “These three ball marks do not detract from the authenticity of the bat as being game use by Hack Wilson”.

This bat’s labeling period was determined by the center brand, the absence of “Powerized” to the right of the center brand and the length and weight (35.5 inches/33.8 ounces). The C-5A center brand appeared on Louisville Slugger professional model bats from 1925 to 1933 and “Powerized” first appeared in 1931, which narrowed the labeling period to 1925-1930. Wilson’s Professional Bat Ordering Records (PBOR) indicate that during the 1926 season, his ordered the “1-30-26” model with the reference “.5”” longer. Based on the weight, this bat was ordered during the June or July order and based on age (95 years) and the drying of the ash material that would cause weight loss, this weight falls into the proper range. A tremendous early-career bat from one of baseball’s best hitters and this comes with multiple authentications for game use, including a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B16904), who have given this bat a very high grade of GU 9, plus an additional LOA from MEARS (316380), who have also given this bat a high grade of A9.

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