Though his nickname may sound diminutive, Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese was a true giant in the Brooklyn club house. The Dodgers captain during their greatest years, Reese was a leader on and off the field. Though a southerner, Reese was instrumental in bridging the gap between black and white when he memorably put his arm around Jackie Robinson on the field at Crosley Field to silence racial taunts, effectively telling the world that Robinson and integration was here to stay. Talking to Roger Kahn, author of the classic Brooklyn Dodgers book “The Boys of Summer”, Reese said: “I was just trying to make the world a little bit better. That’s what you’re supposed to do with your life, isn’t it?”

Offered here is the Captain’s Louisville Slugger R46 that has been dated to the 1955-56 seasons. This bat shows tremendous game use and is un-cracked. There are many ball marks and stitch impressions, ink transfers and bat rack streaks present on the barrel. There is slight checking or grain swelling from repeated contact on the back barrel, which is more prevalent on the top barrel, most likely from repeated contact with the ground. The finish is weathered and there are cleat marks visible on the barrel and pine tar remnants on the handle. The bat’s model number “R46” is stamped in the knob. This bat has a “C-15” center brand that appeared on Hillerich & Bradsby pro bats from 1950-1960 and according to Vince Malta’s book “A Complete Reference Guide Louisville Slugger Professional Player Bats”, the small depression at 10 o’clock on the oval that appears on this bat are markings from 1955-57. The weight of this bat (32.5 ounces) is consistent with R46 models ordered by Reese in 1955 and 1956. Over the decades this wood has taken on a warm attractive coloring. A great gamer from one of the grittiest and classiest players to put on a uniform. This bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B19006).

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