This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/28/2013
Presented is an extraordinarily rare signature model Hillerich & Bradsby O16 bat utilized by Jackie Robinson during, arguably the Dodgers most dominant season in Brooklyn. Factory ordering records allow the experts at PSA/DNA to peg this lumber definitively to the 1953 season, as it was the only year Robinson requested the O16 model. Its length of thirty-four and a half inches and weight of thirty-two and a half ounces perfectly match factory specs, and a faded vintage number “42” handwritten on the knob further assures it was Robinson’s own. Expert John Taube characterizes the use as “heavy,” noting multiple ball marks and stitch impressions on the barrel, and a handle crack secured with heavy tape. The initials “CEG” on the knob are dismissed by Taube as “unrelated to Robinson or the Dodger team, and placed on the knob by a subsequent owner.”
Even though they lost the World Series to their rival Yankees, the 1953 Dodgers are remembered as the greatest Brooklyn club in history. Robinson’s .329 average and explosive base running exploits were a major catalyst in a dynamic lineup. Storming through the ’53 season, the Dodgers led the league in every offensive category, and scored more runs (955), hit more home runs (208) and won more games (105) than any Brooklyn team before or since.
Includes a LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (Grade GU8). Click here to view LOA.