Christy Mathewson was one of the gentlemen of baseball’s early years, and one of the players most responsible for curating baseball’s reputation as a game played by outlaw ruffians into a sport for the sophisticated and elite. A graduate of Bucknell College in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Mathewson joined the New York Giants for the 1900 season at the tender age of 19. While it took a few seasons for Mathewson to develop into the formidable pitcher he became, he quickly adjusted to life as a Big Leaguer. In 1903, “Matty” won 30 games for the first time in his career, while leading the league in strikeouts (267), and maintaining an ERA 2.26. His 267 punchouts stood as the National League record for over half a century before another great New York pitcher, Sandy Koufax, eclipsed his vaunted mark. Unfortunately for Mathewson, his health began failing him after an accidental exposure to mustard gas while stationed in France during World War I. After attempting to return to baseball in 1925 as the president of the Boston Braves, Mathewson succumbed to the tuberculosis he was diagnosed with in 1921. 11 years after his death, Mathewson was honored as a part of the inaugural class of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mathewson made his mark on the mound, but was a serviceable hitter in his own right. A lifetime .213 hitter, Mathewson collected 362 career hits, including 25 during the 1910 season in 107 at-bats for a .234 average.

Offered here is an eminently rare Christy Mathewson game used bat dated to the 1910 era by the game used experts at MEARS.  There are only two known models of this bat and the other as stated below is displayed at his college Alam Mater.  We also believe this is only the second game used bat of any model to come to market.  This is a Zimmerman Safe Hit model bat that has several features supporting this stick as being used by Mathewson. James N. Zimmerman of Owosso, Michigan acquired property and made axe handles, neck yokes, dumbbells, Billy clubs and baseball bats, among other items. After a couple of years of presenting bats with the “Zimmerman League” brand, his business began to boom, thanks in large part to the Zimmerman League bats.

This offered bat has “Christy Mathewson” branded into the barrel and measures 35 ½ inches and weighs 34.6 ounces. These measurements are consistent with a Christy Mathewson bat that is on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, while the grade of the wood is consistent with what could be used by Mathewson in his career. The “Christy Mathewson” branding on the barrel is consistent with his autograph – likely meaning that he provided his signature for the dye to be produced to make this bat. A similar process was used by Louisville Slugger, supporting that this bat may have been a professional model, but there is no documentation to support that.

According to the LOA provided by MEARS: “During his playing career, Mathewson was the most dominant pitcher of the era. If Zimmerman was creating store model bats to promote his company, it is not likely he would have picked a spokesperson that was known for his pitching skills, not his batting prowess. Zimmerman players endorsed bats are not readily seen. In the process of researching this bat, MEARS found several Zimmerman non player endorsed bats that have entered the hobby, but his was the only player endorsed model we found.”

The bat itself displays heavy game use with a crack on the handle that has a period repair. On display at Bucknell University, Mathewson’s alma mater, is the exact same signature model Zimmerman Safe Hit bat and is displayed next to one of his New York Giants’ caps. Please see the website link to view the same model bat at Bucknell University https://www.phigamarchives.org/islandora/object/phigam:6914 . This historic bat comes with a LOA from MEARS (317105).

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