It’s often said that there will never be another Ted Williams, and this bat is a direct reminder of why that saying is true. After he served as a Marine fighter pilot for three long seasons during World War II, Ted Williams came back to the game he loved with a vengeance. His first season back, 1946, he won the MVP Award, then won it again three years later.

     By 1950, which this offered bat dates to, Williams was on pace to have a historic season, but only played in 89 games. After crashing into the scoreboard wall in catching a Ralph Kiner line drive during the 1950 All-Star Game at Chicago’s Comiskey Park , Williams broke his left arm and didn’t return to action until September 7th. However, in those 89 games Williams still batted .317 with 28 home runs and a whopping 97 RBI.

     This rare model Hillerich and Bradsby W166 bat was used by Williams in 1950 and is the first authenticated Ted Williams game used bat of this type we've ever encountered. This bat displays excellent use and is un-cracked. There are ball marks and cleat imprints present on the left and back barrel. There is a moderate coating of olive oil and rosin on the handle, a common Williams’ mixture for his bats instead of pine tar. Williams’ number “9” is hand written and underlined in black marker on the knob. Having a game used Ted Williams bat is extraordinary in itself, but added to this bat is the “Splendid Splinter’s” autograph and inscription in gold on the barrel that reads “My personal best bat” and “9”. This bat comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA (1B14895) who have graded this game a near perfect GU 9. There is also a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication for the signature (A86013).

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