Winter 2014 Auction Closing Feb 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2014
Winning the AL's batting title by hitting .324 in only his 3rd full season, Ty Cobb has firmly established himself as one of the game's biggest names. Bat manufacturer Hillerich & Bradsby, eager to pin their brand to the fresh new star, gave Cobb a lucrative endorsement deal. It was one of the first this savvy investor would make and one of the longest lasting of his career. The Georgia Peach would go on to set and then break countless MLB batting records swinging H&B bats, this model being one of the earliest. While most decal bats were made for sales in sporting goods stores, Hillerich & Bradsby also made their professional endorsed model bats with the images of the player, such as this Cobb bat offered here. Upon examination it can be gleaned that this model bat was produced after Cobb signed his first endorsement contract with Hillerich & Bradsby on October 13, 1908 and sometime in 1910 when this particular label design was discontinued. The weight of the bat, 37oz, is exactly what Cobb liked to swing and the length of this bat, 33 5/8" is slightly smaller than the typical length of 34-35" he usually ordered. The bat shows heavy use with many ball marks and stitch impassions visible. The handle has been repaired and the remnants of an adhesive tape pattern can be seen. Though worn, enough of the decal can be seen to discern that this is indeed the Ty Cobb model. This is an exceedingly rare professional Cobb bat that dates from his earliest endorsement period for the bats that would propel him to fame. Letter of Authenticity from MEARS who have given this bat a grade of A4.