ADDENDUM: Please note that the heading and description for this bat have been updated with regard to it's use by Cochrane in his 1929 World Championship season with the Philadelphia Athletics.Gordon “Mickey” Cochrane was a fiery catcher, nicknamed “Black Mike” for his fierce competitive spirit, who helped lead his teams to five pennants and three World Series crowns during his 13 big league seasons. He spent his first nine years with the Connie Mack’s A’s, capturing American League flags from 1929 to 1931, with Fall Classic titles coming in 1929 and ’30. Sold for $100,000 to the Detroit Tigers after the 1933 campaign to become player-manager, he promptly led his new team to the top of the Junior Circuit in his first two seasons and a World Championship in 1935. Winner of the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award in 1928 and 1934, Cochrane finished with a .320 career batting average, a career-best .357 coming in 1930.
Presented here is the finest Cochrane game bat we have ever seen. The labeling period of this 35 inch, 38 ounce H&B signature model war club dates to 1929. Mickey Cochrane was the backbone of the 1929 Philadelphia Athletics, a team regarded by many as one of the greatest clubs in the history of baseball. Winning 104 games, the 1929 A's toppled the Yankee dynasty, going on to represent the American League in the World Series. Upon defeating the Cubs in five games the powerhouse “White Elephants” won their first World Championship since 1913. Dual vault marks of “C26” on the knob and barrel end coincide with factory records indicating the bat was returned to H&B on 8/5/31. Additionally there is faint evidence of factory side writing that is illegible. The lifespan of this piece of well used Cochrane lumber encompasses an astonishingly prolific period during the heart of his career. Remaining uncracked, the visual presentation quality of this piece is superb. The wood grain, coloration, deep factory markings, and excellent usage attributes combine to make this a museum quality showpiece. Possessing every ideal trait valued by the most discerning collectors of game used bats, this “bucket list” Cochrane gamer has been duly awarded a GU10 grade by PDA/DNA.
Full LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (Grade GU10)