By the early 1950’s, the Brooklyn Dodgers had emerged as the National League’s most successful franchise. The key to this success lay in their willingness to employ African-American ballplayers and a finely tuned minor league system. Second baseman Jim Gilliam is a perfect example of Brooklyn’s pennant winning assembly line. The Nashville native earned his bones as a teenage second baseman with the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League. As the Major League began integrating, the veterans on the Elite Giants recognized Gilliam’s potential talent and concentrated on grooming the young ballplayer for the Majors. Called “Junior” by the veterans, Gilliam was signed by the Dodgers in 1951 and he promptly led the International League in runs in 1951 and 1952.

     Brooklyn brought Gilliam up in 1953 where he was tasked with replacing an aging Jackie Robinson at second base. Junior responded by hitting .278 and leading the National League with 17 triples, came in second in walks and finished third in stolen bases. This fresh burst of power sparked the Dodgers to the second consecutive pennant and this 1953 squad is thought to be the best Brooklyn Dodgers team of all-time. Junior’s rookie-era Hillerich & Bradsby M117 model bat displays outstanding use with a cracked handle. The right, left, and back barrel is covered with ball marks. The model number “M117” has been stamped into the knob and its handle crack has been secured with tape at one time. The handle, left, and right barrel has been scored, attributes characteristic of Jim Gilliam game used bats of this period. Red and green bat rack paint streaks complete this very desirable Brooklyn Dodgers gamer. This game used bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B10997), who have graded this bat a GU 9.

Auction Notepad