Holding a bat like this is like touching history - in fact, you are doing just that. This Hillerich & Bradsby Kork Grip bat is a direct link to the greatest ballplayer of all time: Babe Ruth. And what's more, this bat may have used by the Bambino during the most productive period of his career, 1923-1925. That summer of 1923 Ruth hit a career high .393, and his 41 homers helped the Yankees not only clinch the pennant by 17 games, but also win their very first World Championship. Ruth also led the league in doubles and set a new MLB record by reaching base an incredible 379 times. He ended the year by being named the AL's Most Valuable Player.

     In his entire career Babe Ruth placed only one order for bats with a Kork Grip handle, and this was on April 10, 1923. At 36 inches and 39.1 ounces, this unique bat falls within the acceptable range of weight and length for bats ordered by Ruth during 1923. So far there have been no documented Babe Ruth professional model Kork Grip bats, but there is one photograph of Ruth taken during the pregame ceremonies at the opening of Yankee Stadium that clearly show him holding a Kork Grip model bat.

     Ruth pro model 40K Kork Grip bats were also available from the factory as a “pro-stock” model. Pro-stock bats were ordered in bulk by major and minor league team to give their players the option of trying a new weight or model. These bats were usually the same model used by the best players of the day, and Babe Ruth was, of course, one of those players whose bats were available. The Hillerich & Bradsby 40K model bat is un-cracked and shows excellent use. Several ball marks are visible on the left, right and back barrel. Cleat marks are seen on the back barrel and the “Kork” grip is no longer on the handle. A great example of a seldom seen Kork Grip Professional model H&B bat. This bat comes with an LOA from PSA/DNA (1B14612) for the game use.

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