Frank Chance began his professional career with the Chicago Cubs back in 1898 when they were still known as the Orphans. Chance quickly took over the first base spot and began hitting at a steady .300 clip. With the addition of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers and pitcher Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, the Cubs emerged as the National League’s first dynasty. For more than a decade Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance cemented their reputation as baseball’s best known and longest running double play combination, and Chance became the Cubs “Peerless Leader," guiding the Cubbies to four pennants in five years. Chance played his last Major League game with the New York Yankees in 1914.

Later in his career, Chance moved out west to be a player/coach for the Pacific Coast League’s Los Angeles Angels in 1916. The C3-A center brand of this Hillerich & Bradsby has defined this bat to the 1916-1922 labeling period. The bat displays outstanding use and is un-cracked. There are numerous ball marks on the barrel and the handle has been scored to the center brand to enhance the grip. Due to the scoring of the bat, approximately one-third of the center brand is missing. The length (36 inches) and weight (44.7 ounces) of this bat are consistent with his personal vault marked model C131, which was certified by PSA/DNA (1B14094) that had a length of 36 inches and 44.7 ounces. This offered bat pre-dates the appearance of a model number on the knob or face of the barrel, but resembles the C131 model with its classic bullet-nose barrel. This Frank Chance bat dates to his two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels in 1916 and 1917. This bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B13898) and has been graded a solid GU 8.5.

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