This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/5/2010
Kansas-born Walter Johnson was the AL’s premier pitcher in his day, although he played the whole of his career for the lowly Senators. In 21 seasons he won 416 games, amassing a record 110 shutouts and 38 victories in 1-0 games. In the days before electronic speed guns, Johnson was believed to throw the fastest ball in the game, forcing the coined explanation “you can’t hit what you can’t see” from more than one opponent. Johnson’s own experience and adeptness in the batter’s box may have garnered little sympathy for those he faced on the mound. Though justifiably overshadowed by his pitching prowess, Johnson was known as the best hitting pitcher of his era. He was so effective with the bat that the Senators frequently called upon him to pinch hit. The “Big Train” clouted 21 homers during his storied career and in 1925 he batted .433, the highest average ever attained by any pitcher.
Game used bats from pitchers, are understandably rare, particularly from the pre-war era. Pitchers typically placed only sparse orders for bats, and those few that were ordered generally lasted much longer than those used by their slugging contemporaries. This is only the second known example of a Walter Johnson H&B “script signature” game bat (the other script bat sold for 96k in Sotheby's/SCP June 2007 auction), and one of only three known Walter Johnson game bats period (the other is a “block letter”). Hand turned by H&B, its labeling dates the bat to the 1920’s. The handle has a spiral tape application that has aged and has a light brown patina appearance. Heavy use is apparent including ball marks on all sides of the bat barrel, slight dead wood and cleat marks are present on the barrel as well. Strong manufacturer’s markings include Walter Johnson’s facsimile signature on the barrel, a trait unseen on any other game model bat. Measuring 35” and weighing 40.1 ozs., it remains uncracked with ideal display quality. The top of the barrel has been drilled and refilled, which is associated with the player corking the bat and is being noted for accuracy.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.