SCP Auctions April 2008 Live Auction

Ty Cobb's compulsion to succeed on the diamond prompted one sportswriter to record his belief that he was "possessed by the furies." Cobb broke into the majors in 1905 after being purchased from the minor leagues for $750. Manager Hugh Jennings made him a regular outfielder in 1907 and Cobb became the youngest player to win the batting title. It was the first of 12 batting crowns, including nine in a row, both still records today. When he retired from the game of baseball in 1928 he held 90 major league records, most of these achieved with his bat. Most telling of his superiority is his .367 lifetime average. Accomplished over a 24-year career, it is a daunting mark that will likely never be approached. This bat, demonstrating one of the earliest signature brand styles used by then JF Hillerich & Son Co., is documented by the most renowned independent bat experts as one of the finest examples among the scarce population of Cobb game bats known. Used during the height of his reign as baseball's most feared and dominant competitor, the 34.5 inch, 38 ounce JF Hillerich & Son Co. double "dash-dot-dash" bat is composed of the finest ash and features Cobb's facsimile signature stamped on the barrel directly adjacent to the centerbrand. In addition to being among the earliest Cobb gamers we've encountered, its usage characteristics are sublime.  Most likely appearing just as it did when it last left Cobb's hands, this bat exhibits evidence of tremendous use with a handle crack and slight checking (grain separation) from repeated ball contact on the back barrel. Many ball marks are visible on the right and left barrel. Also visible on the bat are cleat marks on the right, left and back barrel and a 1 inch chip on the knob. The handle has been taped on a wide spiral pattern to enhance the grip, a common trait for early Cobb bats. Cobb's use of this rare, early signature brand style is photo documented in Richard Bak's book "Ty Cobb, His Tumultuous Life and Times". A detailed photo on page 70 of that book shows Cobb holding a similar bat with the same barrel brand. The era of this bat, distinctive labeling characteristics, and its sheer beauty contribute to its status as one of the finest Cobb bats ever to have surfaced. LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (Grade A8.5).
80,000 USD - 120,000 USD