Auction Item Details
Lot 43
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Lot Number: 43
Description: **Important Willie Mays 1954 National League Batting Championship Silver Bat award (NL MVP Season)(World Championship Season). Highly prestigious award representing one of the great individual accomplishments in sport and a singular opportunity to acquire one of the most cherished presentation pieces bestowed upon an individual who is widely regarded as the greatest all around player in the history of the game. Amazingly, Willie Mays simply dominated the National League during the 1954 season even though he had just returned from two years of service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Mays began the season with a home run on Opening Day and never looked back. He led the Giants to the NL pennant with 41 home runs (30 before the All-Star Game), 195 base hits, 110 RBIs, .667 slugging percentage, and .345 batting average to capture his first National League Batting Championship. In recognition of the batting championship Mays was presented with the Silver Bat Award for the 1954 season. Full size 34” Louisville Slugger 125 model baseball bat with “Willie Mays” facsimile signature engraved in the barrel end. Impressed titling on the mid barrel area, “Batting Champion 1954, National League, B.A. 345.” The “Hillerich & Bradsby” center brand and “Powerized” logos are executed in the same format as would have been utilized on his game bat. Marked “International” on end with “Sterling” and factory hallmark below and weighs 3 lbs. 3 oz. Condition is exceptional presenting with brilliant eye appeal and bold original stampings noting tiny indentations on the back side of barrel end and side of knob. Noted for the strictest accuracy, upon receipt of the award Mays had once affixed a chain for suspension with two minute connection points to the bat which has since been professionally removed with no remaining visibility. Remarkably, the 1954 National League batting title was the first and only such occurrence during Willie Mays historic 23-year MLB career. Silver Bat Awards are among the most coveted of any individual player awards in sports with the offered example soundly ranking among the most important to have been publicly offered at auction. Includes certificate of provenance from the Willie Mays Collection: NMEstimated Price Range: ($200,000-$400,000)
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