October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
In the spring of 1946, baseball fans across the nation anxiously asked one another the question: “what will Joe DiMaggio do this season?” The Yankee Clipper was 31 and had just been discharged after serving three long years in the Army Air Force. Before the war he’d been baseball’s most respected and idolized player, the natural successor to Ruth and Gehrig on America’s favorite team. But in baseball years, that was a long time ago. Whether Joe had any worries or not, we will never know. Typically, he let his bat do all the talking. Wielding his lumber with a mighty vengeance, DiMaggio got back in the swing of things by posting a .290 average with 25 homers. That, combined with the same peerless fielding he displayed before the war, re-established his place as the Yank’s best player. And that was just a warm-up: 1947 saw Joe lead the Yankees to the World Championship with .315/20/97 numbers, earning the last of his three MVP Awards. Remarkably, 1948 was even better as he led the American League with 39 home runs and 155 RBI. It was a tremendous show of offensive power from the country’s most beloved ballplayer. Befitting this explosive period of his career, evidence of heavy use can be seen all over this 1946-48 DiMaggio game used bat. Ball and stitch impressions can be seen throughout, but are especially concentrated above DiMaggio’s branded name. Being a “label up” hitter, this is the area where DiMaggio’s flawless swing led the bat to make contact with the ball and exactly what you want to see on a bat attributed to him. The handle has been cracked but expertly repaired and a light coat of pine tar can still be seen. Blue and green bat rack paint streaks mark the barrel and knob. The knob end has model “D29L” stamped into it. This piece has aged beautifully with a warm golden tone enveloping the entire bat. The factory branding is strong and dark, adding to the attractiveness of the bat. A superb piece marking the last great seasons of the Yankee Clipper. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA who have given this bat the almost perfect grade of GU 9.5. Their sticker number 1B05012 is affixed to the barrel end.