Fall 2020 - Item detail
1918-1921 Babe Ruth New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox Game-Used Bat MEARS A7.5
- Sold For:
- $49,200
- Year:
- 1918
- Auction:
- 2020 Fall
- Lot #:
- 2056
- Category:
- Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia
Babe Ruth H&B game-used signature-model (predating model numbers) bat dating from the 1918 to 1921, manufacturing period. Graded A7.5 by MEARS. While all Babe Ruth game used bats are highly coveted by collectors, those dating from the 1918-1921 manufacturing period are especially significant because they date from the time Ruth was making the transition from pitcher to outfielder with the Boston Red Sox and through his early years with the New York Yankees. It was precisely during that four-year span, 1918 to 1921 that records were set, legends were born and, quite literally, the game of baseball was saved.
The bat displays evidence of outstanding use along its entire length, including ball marks, stitch marks, scoring, and, most important, two known Ruth-bat characteristics: cleat marks (one of which partially affects the Ruth facsimile signature on the barrel) and a flattened hitting surface above the barrel stamping (Ruth hit with the bat label down, as opposed to up like most other hitters). A handle crack of indeterminate length has been professionally repaired. According to MEARS (the entire letter is available online), the bat's length (35 inches) and weight (38 ounces) are consistent with other known Ruth game-used examples within the referenced time period. Although the offered bat predates the use of model numbers, MEARS has identified it as Ruth's "R2" model, which is referenced in the H&B factory records. Those records also verify that the "R2" model was the main model ordered by Ruth until the 1924 season The knob is hand turned and displays a carved mark, the origin and meaning of which are unknown.
In addition to its outstanding physical traits, the bat also comes with unique provenance, which is detailed in an accompanying copy of a letter from the original owner (available online). According to him, this bat was originally obtained by his aunt's cousin, Leo Paulin, who met Ruth through a mutual friend at Fenway Park in the early 1920s. Ruth told Paulin, who was a teenager at the time, that he would send him one of his bats and he followed up on his promise by shipping him the offered bat. Many years later, in the 1950s, Paulin, who had no children, gave the bat to his cousin, who in turn, gave it to her nephew (the gentleman who has provided the letter).
Babe Ruth pro-model bats, by their very nature, represent one of the most desirable objects in the hobby. To hold a bat that was once used by Ruth is tantamount to holding history in the palm of one’s hand. The history held within this wooden club is palpable given the time period it was used. Following the 1917 season, Boston Red Sox manager Ed Barrow decided that as valuable as Ruth was on the mound, he was even more valuable to the club as a hitter. The next year, 1918, Ruth started only 19 games on the mound, which was half his total from the year before, and began to play more regularly in the outfield. Barrow's decision proved to be the right one, as Ruth batted .300 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 61 RBI in just 95 games. The following season he fully emerged as the greatest power hitter in the game by hitting a then-record 29 home runs while driving in a league-leading 113 runs. Following that incredible season, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee stunned the Boston faithful by selling Ruth's contract to the New York Yankees for over $400,000 in cash and credit, which was twice the amount previously paid for a player's contract. That transaction not only reversed the fortunes of each club for decades to come but most likely saved the game of baseball, which was in turmoil following the 1919 World Series scandal. Ruth's first season in New York was like no other, as the newly christened "Sultan of Swat" broke his own record with an astonishing 54 home runs. The following season he did the unthinkable: breaking his previous record by hitting 59 home runs. He also led the Yankees to their first of three consecutive pennants, launching what would soon become the most successful sports franchise of all time. In the short four-year period of 1918 to 1921 the greatest athlete in the history of American sports was born and his legacy continues to this day. Length: 35 inches. Weight: 38 ounces. Graded A7.5 by MEARS (base grade of 5 for matching factory records, plus 3 points for use, but minus a half point for the cleat mark on the barrel stamping). Full LOA from MEARS. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot. Reserve $25,000. Estimate (open).
The bat displays evidence of outstanding use along its entire length, including ball marks, stitch marks, scoring, and, most important, two known Ruth-bat characteristics: cleat marks (one of which partially affects the Ruth facsimile signature on the barrel) and a flattened hitting surface above the barrel stamping (Ruth hit with the bat label down, as opposed to up like most other hitters). A handle crack of indeterminate length has been professionally repaired. According to MEARS (the entire letter is available online), the bat's length (35 inches) and weight (38 ounces) are consistent with other known Ruth game-used examples within the referenced time period. Although the offered bat predates the use of model numbers, MEARS has identified it as Ruth's "R2" model, which is referenced in the H&B factory records. Those records also verify that the "R2" model was the main model ordered by Ruth until the 1924 season The knob is hand turned and displays a carved mark, the origin and meaning of which are unknown.
In addition to its outstanding physical traits, the bat also comes with unique provenance, which is detailed in an accompanying copy of a letter from the original owner (available online). According to him, this bat was originally obtained by his aunt's cousin, Leo Paulin, who met Ruth through a mutual friend at Fenway Park in the early 1920s. Ruth told Paulin, who was a teenager at the time, that he would send him one of his bats and he followed up on his promise by shipping him the offered bat. Many years later, in the 1950s, Paulin, who had no children, gave the bat to his cousin, who in turn, gave it to her nephew (the gentleman who has provided the letter).
Babe Ruth pro-model bats, by their very nature, represent one of the most desirable objects in the hobby. To hold a bat that was once used by Ruth is tantamount to holding history in the palm of one’s hand. The history held within this wooden club is palpable given the time period it was used. Following the 1917 season, Boston Red Sox manager Ed Barrow decided that as valuable as Ruth was on the mound, he was even more valuable to the club as a hitter. The next year, 1918, Ruth started only 19 games on the mound, which was half his total from the year before, and began to play more regularly in the outfield. Barrow's decision proved to be the right one, as Ruth batted .300 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 61 RBI in just 95 games. The following season he fully emerged as the greatest power hitter in the game by hitting a then-record 29 home runs while driving in a league-leading 113 runs. Following that incredible season, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee stunned the Boston faithful by selling Ruth's contract to the New York Yankees for over $400,000 in cash and credit, which was twice the amount previously paid for a player's contract. That transaction not only reversed the fortunes of each club for decades to come but most likely saved the game of baseball, which was in turmoil following the 1919 World Series scandal. Ruth's first season in New York was like no other, as the newly christened "Sultan of Swat" broke his own record with an astonishing 54 home runs. The following season he did the unthinkable: breaking his previous record by hitting 59 home runs. He also led the Yankees to their first of three consecutive pennants, launching what would soon become the most successful sports franchise of all time. In the short four-year period of 1918 to 1921 the greatest athlete in the history of American sports was born and his legacy continues to this day. Length: 35 inches. Weight: 38 ounces. Graded A7.5 by MEARS (base grade of 5 for matching factory records, plus 3 points for use, but minus a half point for the cleat mark on the barrel stamping). Full LOA from MEARS. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot. Reserve $25,000. Estimate (open).