This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2013
This lot features an incredibly rare, and highly coveted, Jimmie Foxx 1934-36 Louisville Slugger professional model bat exhibiting heavy use with ball marks, stitch marks, small 4 inch handle crack and cleat marks. This bat perfectly matches Foxx's Louisville Slugger bat ordering records measuring 35 inches and weighing 36 ounces. The bat was actually passed along by Foxx to Detroit Tigers All Star Gee Walker during the 1936 season, likely when the two teams met in Detroit on September 13th and 14th, 1936. Gee Walker liked the bat so much he sent it back to Louisville slugger to have his signature model made to Foxx's specifications. The bat has been vault marked by Louisville Slugger with "W36" stamped into the knob and barrel end. The bat has "Gerald Walker 10-19-36 Detroit American League" written in grease pencil by Louisville Slugger referring to the fact that it was sent by Walker to Louisville Slugger after the 1936 season. Ironically, Walker would have his best 5 year stretch in his career from 1936-1940 after switching to Foxx's bat specs. His average year during that stretch was 15 HR's, 100 RBI and .320 BA even though he averaged 5 HR's , 50 RBI and a .280 BA the rest of his career. Jimmie Foxx game used bats are among the most difficult bats in the hobby to acquire. Many collectors have found that Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott game used bats are the most difficult of all the 500 HR Club members to obtain. This one is from the prime of Foxx's HOF career as he played from 1925-1945 and had 121 of his 534 career HR's from 1934-36. The bat has been professionally authenticated and graded an A9 by Troy Kinunen and Dave Bushing of MEARS and is also accompanied by a lengthy and detailed Letter of Authenticity from long time bat expert Michael Montbriand. This is great opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the most coveted bats in the hobby in this Jimmie Foxx war club.
(MEARS)