2021 Goldin Elite Closing Jan 30 &31

Lot #49: 1954 Stan Musial All Star Game Used Louisville Slugger Model M159 Bat (PSA/DNA GU 10 & Spahn Family LOA)

Description

Upon Stan Musial’s retirement in 1964, Hall of Famer Warren Spahn remarked, “This season will be different than from all the others I’ve spent in the big leagues; Stan Musial will no longer be there. He enriched the game with his incomparable skill…” That’s high praise coming from Spahn, since the two men spent the previous decade and a half trying to get the better of each other as adversaries every summer. That magnanimous quote also makes this Stan Musial game used bat all the more interesting: it was a prized possession of Warren Spahn. The bat was gifted to Spahn presumably around the time of the 1954 All-Star Game as it is a special Adirondack model made for the Cardinals slugger specifically for that year’s Mid-Summer Classic. In the game, Musial went 2 for 5 in the loss to the American League. Musial would go on to record one of his “usual” seasons, hitting .330, hitting 35 home runs, 126 RBI and leading the league with 41 doubles. Spahn, who was the recipient of this All-Star Gamer, had one of his “typical” years as well, pitching 23 complete games, winning 21 with a 3.14 ERA.

The Man’s Louisville Slugger Model M159 model bat is un-cracked and shows excellent use. Several ball marks are visible on the right, left and back barrel and ball marks include ink transfers. PSA/DNA has opined that the amount of use displayed on this bat is consistent with that of being used for one All-Star Game rather than over a longer stretch of time. The model number “M159” is stamped into the knob and the barrel carries the special “ALL STAR GAME CLEVELAND 1954” stamping. A museum-worthy Musial All-Star bat that is all the more noteworthy in that it was a cherished possession of his friendly rival and fellow Hall of Famer, Warren Spahn. This bat is accompanied by a color photo of Musial and Spahn in the dugout at an All-Star Game, which is also from the pitcher’s personal collection, plus a letter of provenance from the Spahn family. This bat comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1B24860) for the game use and has been given the highest possible grade of GU 10.

Final Bid (Includes Buyers Premium):$20,400
Minimum Bid:$6,000
Number of Bids:17