Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
The New York Giants of 1943 were a team cobbled together from grizzled veterans and fuzzy faced kids. Though the Giants finished dead last in the NL, they boasted one of the hardest-hitting squads assembled during the war years. Representing the veteran portion of the team are no less than 4 Hall of Famers: Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell, Joe Medwick and Ernie Lombardi. Other stand-outs on this bat are Dolf Luque, the first Cuban nationals to star in the major leagues; Van Lingle Mungo, one of the hardest throwing pitchers of all time and immortalized by the 1970's Dave Frishberg novelty song and Sid Gordon, one of the early Jewish star ball players. Most of the '43 team have signed this nicely toned bat in black ink: Gus Mancuso, John Witting, Rube Fischer, John Rucker, Ken Chase, Johnny Allen, Harry Feldman, Buster Maynard, Dick Bartell, Cliff Melton, Ace Adams, Ray Berres, Mickey Witek, Bill Jurges, Bubber Jonnard, and Hugh Poland. Due to wartime shortages and restrictions, it is extremely rare to find any kind of souvenirs dating from the war years, let alone a mini bat signed by a whole team such as this. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.