This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
Throughout his career, Don Drysdale's command of home plate wasn't limited to his use of chin music. The pitching ace was also dangerous with a bat. For his career, Drysdale launched 29 homers (among pitchers, only Warren Spahn hit more), collected 218 hits and drove in 113. In his finest campaign ever at the plate in 1965, Drysdale hit .300 (39-for-130) with seven home runs!
Offered here is one of the lesser-mentioned tools of Drysdale's trade: a professional model bat from the pitcher/slugger heydays as king of the hill. Drysdale’s Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 35.5" long. Block lettered into the barrel end is "1961 All Star Game San Francisco - Boston" along with impressed Drysdale facsimile signature. Model number "K55" is factory stamped in the knob. General rack wear is evident but the barrel shows minimal evidence of ball contact. The Midsummer Classic maintained it's double-header format for the third consecutive year in 1961, split between two of baseball's most popular ballparks; Candlestick and Fenway. Game one at Candlestick ended with a 5-4 NL victory. Defense and mother nature prevailed in Game two in Boston when it was called due to rain after nine innings, ending in a 1-1 tie - the only tie game in All-Star history. Drysdale did not play in either game, but the bat does show light signs of use perhaps from batting practice or later in the 1961 season. Terrific pro model bat from the personal collection of perhaps the greatest slugger ever to enter the Hall of Fame as a pitcher.
Includes LOA from the Drysdale Family.