Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
In 1925 Paul Waner was already an established star with the Pittsburgh Pirates when he suggested the ball club sign his little brother Lloyd. In two short years Lloyd joined Paul to form the most potent brother combo in baseball history. For ten seasons Lloyd hit over .300 and both he and Paul were elected to Cooperstown upon the completion of their careers. 1927, the period to which this magnificent bat dates to, was Lloyd's rookie year. Instantly installed as Pittsburgh's leadoff man, Waner was almost impossible to strike out. He hit big league hitting at a .355 clip and helped the Pirates to the World Series where he hit .400. Waner's 678 hits in his first three seasons is still an MLB record. Hillerich & Bradsby records date this bat to Waner's first two years in the majors, 1927-1928. Making it even more significant is that according to Louisville Slugger, this is one of less than six Lloyd Waner bats in existence. Being that it is from Waner's rookie year makes it all the more collectible. The bat is 34 1/2" in length and weights in at 38oz. There are no factory stamping on the bat except for the model number "W42" stamped into both ends. The bat is un-cracked and displays moderate use with several ball marks and cleat imprints. As was the custom during his career, Waner has honed the bat's surface into a smooth and rock-solid surface. The wood has taken on a beautiful and rich patina with age and best of all the barrel features "factory side writing". This was done at the Louisville factory when a bat was returned to it could be replicated in future orders. The workmen would mark the bat's barrel in pencil recording the date and player name. This bat has "Lloyd Waner 4-4-28" clearly written on its barrel. A very choice bat from Lloyd Waner's early years in the majors. LOA from the Louisville Slugger 2004 Auction from when the bat was originally purchased and from bat experts MEARS who have given this Cooperstown-worthy bat a grade of A8.