Auction Item Details
Lot 602
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Lot Number: 602
Description: Fine Ted Williams 1960 All-Star Game professional model baseball bat. The experiment of dual All-Star Games was continued in 1960 with the first taking place at Kansas City and the second occurring in New York. The 1960 version of the Mid Summer Classic would be the last of Williams' vaunted career having played in a grand total of 18 such contests. Like many of his peers during the 1940-1950s era Ted Williams relished the All-Star Game experience. Quoted in 1999 at the All-Star Game played in Fenway Park he exclaimed, "I always liked the All-Star Game because I got a chance to see all the pitchers. I wanted to see the best pitchers, and the best pitchers in the league with the best records were there, and I got a big kick out of that. I enjoyed that. Sometimes I got struck out, but I enjoyed being there." Sometimes Ted got hits as well. He finished his All-Star career with a .304 batting average, 12 RBIs, and 4 home runs including the most dramatic in All-Star Game history at the 1941 contest with a game winning three run blast. At the first game played in 1960 at Kansas City Ted unceremoniously went 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter. Appropriately, in his second appearance at Yankee Stadium Williams collected a pinch hit at his final All-Star Game at bat in the 7th inning. The New York All-Star Game was significant as it was the final appearance of Ted Williams at the Mid Summer Classic. Offered is Ted Williams' 1960 All-Star Game professional model bat as specially issued by Hillerich & Bradsby for use in the All-Star Game typically producing only two such examples per player each year. Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 35" long and weighs 31.2oz. Model W166 stamped on the knob end with "1960 ALL STAR GAME" and "KANSAS CITY NEW YORK" special marking on the barrel end along with Williams' facsimile signature stamp. The bat exhibits wonderful evident use inclusive of ball marks, stitching impressions, and scored handle remaining in fine all original uncracked condition. Signed by Williams in blue sharpie across the barrel end. As often found with Major League player All-Star Game bats the offered example was most certainly used during other subsequent games in the 1960 season. Given the degree of use to the bat it is highly likely that this particular specimen may have bore witness to some of the final milestones of Ted's illustrious career. Unquestionably one of the finest Ted Williams game used bats to have been offered for public sale with unimprovable provenance. Includes LOAs from Hunt Auctions (bat) and JSA (autograph): EX-EX/MTEstimated Price Range: ($30,000-$40,000)
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