This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2020
One of the most prestigious MLB awards a position player could hope to attain is the renowned Louisville Slugger "SILVER SLUGGER AWARD" that is given to the premier offensive performer at each position on an annual basis. On the strength of his stellar 1983 statistics achieved with the New York Yankees including 21 homers, 85 RBI's, a .303 batting average and extremely potent .856 OPS, Don Baylor was selected as the winner of the 1983 Silver Slugger Award for the "Designated Hitter" (DH) position. It is both that imposing silver bat prize and accompanying 6-lb Silver Slugger Plaque (21-3/4" x 14" dimensions) that is also included in this spectacular lot.
This is the first of three Silver Sluggers issued to the 1979 American League MVP derives from Baylor's debut season in Yankee pinstripes, a campaign characterized by twenty-one homers, eighty-five RBI's and a .303 average.
The Louisville Silver Slugger award wood backing measures approximately 25" from top to bottom and roughly 11" across, with the critical silver-plated bat standing at an imposing 35" tall and attached to a wooden shaped home plate. The entire weight is 7-lbs, 6.6-oz., and the top right exhibits the classic Louisville Slugger Logo (black oval plaque) with the silver lettering reading: "125 – Louisville Slugger". To the right of the bat is the key black plaque with the following inscriptions: "HILLERICH & BRADSBY CO." – SILVER SLUGGER AWARD – PRESENTED TO DON BAYLOR-DH – NEW YORK – MEMBER OF THE SPORTING NEWS AMERICAN LEAGUE OFFENSIVE TEAM – 1983".
Beneath this imposing inscription are the names of the eight other star position players who captured this illustrious award including: Parrish/C; Murray/1B; Whitaker/2B; Boggs/3B; Ripken/SS; Winfield/OF; Rice/OF & Moseby/OF. Overall aesthetics for both mementos is EX+-NM
The large and impressive award presents very well, with only light handling wear to report. Letter of provenance from wife of Don Baylor.