Auction Item Details
Lot 210
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Lot Number: 210
Description: Historic Bill Mazeroski professional model bronzed baseball bat attributed to the 1960 World Series Game #7 Walk Off Home Run. Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 35" long with "Bill Mazeroski" facsimile signature stamped on barrel end. Louisville Slugger model number "S2" is stamped on the end of the knob which is appropriate for use by Mazeroski during the 1960 season according to Hillerich & Bradsby Co. factory records. Additionally, although the weight is difficult to discern given the bronze plating, the Louisville Slugger centerbrand stampings are consistent with specific 1960 season stamping anomalies. (See "A Complete Reference Guide Louisville Slugger Professional Baseball Bats" by Vince Malta, pg. 31, Plate #3, C15A with P9 variation). The bat was bronzed in the period shortly after the 1960 World Series by a gentleman in Chicago on behalf of Bill Mazeroski. Although bronzed, definitive game use is evident inclusive of extensive ball marks and stitching impressions, one of which likely represents the impact point of one of the most famous home runs in the history of the game. The bat itself remains in fine general condition with an area around the knob end at which the bronze plating has become partially separated with small crack. Currently affixed to a period mahogany wall placard as originally displayed in the Mazeroski home, the bat is easily removable if so desired as shown in the catalogue photography. Applied brass placard on the wooden plaque inscribed, "Bat Used to Hit Game Winning Home Run of the 1960 World Series by Bill Maseroski Final Score Pirates (10)-Yankee's 9." Comically, the last name is obviously misspelled "Maseroski" with an "s" as executed incorrectly in the period. The offered bat was removed by Bill Mazeroski from his locker the next day after the final game of the World Series along with the home uniform and cleats from the same game. Included with the bat is a period newspaper article with photo of Bill and wife, Milene, admiring the bronzed bat on plaque. The article was from a story published by the Akron Beacon Journal on January 10, 1961 with content inclusive of a specific mention of the bat, "What is Bill's most prized possession? 'This bat', the 24 year old All-Star second baseman said, as he proudly displayed the Louisville Slugger-now encased in bronze-which he used as a key to sports history books. 'I have a special place reserved for it in our new home," Bill's pretty wife Milene said." While the moment of the historic home run is immortalized by Mazeroski jubilantly galloping around the bases, the actual imagery and video of the swing and contact at home plate is scant at best given the significance of the moment. It is understood that the format of Forbes Field did not allow for large quantities of photographers coupled with the fact that the game was being played in Pittsburgh not New York, where certainly more news men of the day would have been present. One of the better images of the at bat was taken by noted photographer Neil Leifer and does in fact confirm the bat to be a Louisville Slugger model based on visibility of a partial centerbrand area. While the locker room images after the game clearly picture the uniform as worn that day, the only image we could locate of Bill Mazeroski with a baseball bat is a composed image depicting him kissing an unused 1960 World Series presentation model bat for the purposes of photographers only. As confirmed by Bill Mazeroski himself, this very bat, as used to hit the historic home run, was his most cherished item as it related to the iconic moment. Incredible artifact which absolutely ranks among the most important game-used bats of any type or era to have entered the collecting marketplace. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions, Original 1961 newspaper article with photograph picturing the bat, and detailed notarized letter of provenance from Bill Mazeroski: EXEstimated Price Range: (Estimate Upon Request)
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