This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2015
On October 13 1960 the Pittsburgh Pirates completed one of the most unlikely upsets in World Series history. It was a classic tense Game 7 marked by heroics, lead changes and a stunning home run from "Maz." After six games the heavily favored New York Yankees had compiled impressive Fall Classic numbers: .340 team batting average 78 hits and 46 runs to the Pirates 17. Yet the opportunistic Pirates had the series even at three wins apiece. In Game 7 the Pirates stormed to an early 4-0 lead but waves of scoring from both clubs had the game knotted at nine in the bottom of the ninth. Then 24-year-old Bill Mazeroski known more for his glove than his bat approached the plate and launched the first World Series-ending home run in Major League history setting off a delirious celebration that reverberated from Forbes Field across Pittsburgh and through the annals of all-time sports achievements.
The offered bat originates from the family of Larry Carleton who was an acquaintance of Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Don Hoak and attended the 1960 World Series as evidenced by an accompanying photograph. The bat was signed by the Pirates team at the request of Hoak for Mr. Carleton and presented to him as having been the bat used by Hoak during the 1960 World Series. The Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 36" long and weighs 35 ounces and features the U1 model number stamped on the knob end. Bat shows evident use has been autographed by (37) members of the Pittsburgh Pirates 1960 World Championship team to include Clemente, Mazeroski, Face, Friend, Law, Kabine, Vernon, Virdon, Skinner, and Hoak. George Sisler and Joe L. Brown (rare signature) have also signed the bat as members of the Pirates ownership and front office. The Danny Murtaugh signature has been clubhouse signed as commonly seen. Autographs range from 7-9 out of 10 having been nicely preserved under a light clear shellac.
This rare and exceptional team signed bat is accompanied by a copy of the aforementioned photograph picturing Carelton/Hoak at 1960 WS, a letter of provenance from the Carelton family, and a full LOA from PSA/DNA (auto.).