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

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 patented high leg kick that generated tremendous torque from his 5’9” frame 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. As one of the leading sluggers in the first half of the 20th Century, Mel Ott blasted 511 home runs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951 on his first ballot.

Presented here is one of the weapons used by Ott during his 1944 season, where at the age of 35, still produced 26 home runs and 90 RBI. This bat displays outstanding game use and is un-cracked. There are ball marks, stitch impressions and cleat imprints present on the barrel. This bat’s labeling period has been identified by the center brand and the version of “Powerized” that is branded to the right of the center brand. This bat displays the C-12 center brand that appeared on Hillerich & Bradsby bats from 1944 through 1948. Between the 1944-48 labeling period, the O2 model was ordered by Ott in 1944. Despite the lack of an O2, the game used experts at PSA/DNA have determined this bat to be the O2 model based on the PBOR (Professional Bat Ordering Records). According to PSA/DNA “Ott’s PBOR includes a schematic of “his 4-16-38” model which also includes the O2 notation. The schematic features 18 points of measurement from the knob to the top of the barrel which define the dimensions or the barrel, handle and knob. We executed caliper measurements as directed by the schematic and can opine the knob, handle and barrel dimensions are that of Ott’s O2 model.”

This bat also displays distinctive “Mel Ott” characteristics including the aforementioned cleat marks on the barrel, a common trait found on Ott bats (especially in the PSA/DNA database). The bat’s length and weight (35.0 length/33.0 ounces weight) are consistent with the O2 models ordered by Ott in the spring of 1944 according to his PBOR. Ott placed four orders for this model on March 16th, April 10th, April 15th and April 22nd. All of the orders note 35-inch bats with weights varying from 33 to 34 ounces. A wonderful gamer from one of the most feared hitters of the National League. This comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B25449) for the game use and has been given a high grade of GU 8.

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