October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
Charging forward like he never missed three full seasons to the war, Ted Williams tore through 1948 with a league tops .369 average. He took over the mantle of Red Sox career home run leader when he hit number 222 to best Jimmie Foxx. In the last two games of the season Williams went 8 for 10 to get the Sox into a one game playoff against the Yankees. It was an incredible season from a career full of incredible seasons and this bat was there. How do we know this bat was from that glorious summer? In his entire career, The Splinter ordered just one shipment of W153 bats: one dozen ordered on 6/3/48. The Hillerich & Bradsby W153 shows outstanding game use with a slight handle crack which has been professionally repaired. Many ball marks with stitch impressions can be seen on the bat’s barrel. Pine tar can be seen on the handle and the model number W153 is stamped into the knob end. Williams’ famed number “9” is hand-written in black on the knob end. Three enhancements were done to this bat which must be noted: a coat of urethane has been added to the surface, a small mounting hole is found on the knob and the stamped barrel brand has been traced with a coat of black paint to make it more visible. Neither of these effect the authenticity or attractiveness of the bat. Williams has signed the bat just below his endorsement in black Sharpie. The slugger added “.406 - 1941” under his signature referencing one of the greatest seasons in baseball history. PSA/DNA stickers E36319 and B02146 have been affixed to the barrel end. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA who have graded this beautiful piece of lumber GU 9.5.