A lifetime .292 hitter, Heinie Groh was one of the game's early stars. With a career beginning in 1912, Groh was an integral part of World Championships with both the New York Giants and Cincinnati Reds. Yet, despite being the National League's most effective lead-off hitter in the early 20th century, Groh is remembered today for his distinctive "bottle bat". Due to his diminutive size, Giants manager John McGraw suggested Groh adopt a heavier but oddly shaped bat, with its circumference at the barrel tapering to a thinner, more manageable thickness at the handle. This is one of the bats that Groh made his trademark. The Spalding Pre-Model bat shows significant game use with a repaired handle. There are many ball marks with stitch impressions visible on the barrel along with cleat imprints. A very choice example of one of the most distinctive bats of the Dead Ball Era. The bat comes with a LOA from MEARS (310968) for the game use and has been graded a solid A8.

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