2019 Summer Premium Live and Catalog Auction Lots 1-82 Close Aug 1- 83-end close 8/10

Lot #1: 1912-1925 Heinie Groh Game Used Spalding Bottle Bat (PSA/DNA GU 9)

Description

When the 5 feet 8 inches and 158-pound Heinie Groh made his first plate appearance as a rookie in 1912, the plate umpire thought a bat boy had been sent out by mistake. Yet despite his diminutive size, Heinie Groh quickly developed into the best leadoff man in the majors. To counter his small stature, Giants manager John McGraw suggested Groh adopt a heavier but oddly shaped bat, with its circumference at the barrel tapering to a thinner, more manageable thickness at the handle. This odd, yet legal, design helped make Heinie a .292 lifetime hitter and two-time World Champion.

This is one of Groh’s famed “bottle bats,” manufactured to the ballplayer’s exact specifications by Spalding. Because a Groh “bottle bat” was not available in the company’s catalogue or in stores, it can be assumed Groh had this bat custom made by the manufacturer, and inspection of the bat shows “SPALDING” stamped into the barrel in a style used during the 1912-1925 period. “HEINE GROH” in block letters is stamped into the barrel. Weighting 45.7 ounces and measuring 32.75 in length, the Spalding bottle bat is un-cracked and shows outstanding use. Many ball marks are found on the left, right and back barrel and cleat marks are visible on the left barrel. There are several depressions on the front and back barrel and the Spalding logo stamped into the knob end. An outstanding game used example of one of the more unique bat designs of the 20th century. The bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B13753) for the game use and has been graded a near-perfect GU 9.

Final Bid (Includes Buyers Premium):$9,000
Minimum Bid:$1,000
Number of Bids:18