Memory Lane Inc. | The Leader in Vintage Sports Cards & Memorabilia
Previously Gifted to Teammate Mark Koenig (35" Length; 41.2 Ounces) - Full PSA/John Taube GU 8.5 LOA (Cert# 1B31833)
BAMBINO GAME-USED BAT!!!... Heading into the 1928 campaign, the incomparable George Herman "Babe" Ruth had truly established himself as our National Pastime's greatest player, with his record-setting 60 home runs and 1927 world championship elevating him to a pinnacle stature. Indeed, it was the Babe's unparalleled excellence and captivating persona that virtually stood above the game itself, with his prodigious round-trippers turning the baseball world upside down. Ruth single-handedly saved baseball at a most tumultuous time when the infamous "Black Sox Eight" gambled away the 1919 World Series.
Americans felt cheated, and it took a giant of a man such as Ruth to draw people back through the turnstiles, which he so successfully accomplished after his trade from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees. In his inaugural 1920 Big Apple campaign, Ruth would wallop an inconceivable 54 round trippers, following up that season by clouting 59 homers in 1921 to nearly out-homer every MLB team! His colossal power not only awed his fanbase but more significantly rejuvenated a somewhat scorned game that was on the heels of collapse due to the Black Sox throwing the 1919 Fall Classic. Home runs became the new avenue for excitement, and exhilarated fans once again stormed ballparks to watch their favorite teams wage battle.
In lieu of the Sultan of Swat's incredible presence on both our National Pastime's and memorabilia circuit's grandest stages, it is no secret that exalted game-used items from his early playing days arguably command the most staggering price tags. That mindset reached a world-record high when a Ruth game-worn uniform from the 1928-30 era sold for the unfathomable sum of $5.64 million in 2019, solidifying Ruth's unapproachable stature among the most sophisticated collectors. In fact, at the time this was written, that previous record is about to be shattered via the landmark Babe Ruth "Called Shot" jersey that is expected to fetch in the neighborhood of $30 million in a late August 2024 public sale!
While not as revered with regard to pinnacle value, game-used Ruth bats accompanied by unwavering provenance stand tall as one of the hobby's most iconic heirlooms. In fact, his majestic bat used to hit the first home run in the inaugural 1923 Yankee Stadium opening day game sold many years ago for a then miraculous sum of $1.2 million. Virtually all PSA graded 10 specimens now command figures in excess of seven figures, with the overall provenance being the determining factor for the PSA assessment and resulting price tags. Simply stated, provenance from either Ruth himself, bat usage (ball marks/notches), family related provenance and of course bat specifications (size, weight, labeling, etc.) all combine to govern the respective grade and ultimate value.
Memory Lane is now proud to offer a spectacular Babe Ruth game-used Hillerich & Bradsby model uncracked hickory bat that just happens to originate from the Mark Koenig family/estate, most likely gifted to Ruth's dear friend and teammate during the 1928-29 era. Graded a formidable GU 8.5 by the illustrious PSA company (John Taube/Vince Malta), its direct use is dated to the 1928-29 seasons, with a bold "MK" (for Mark Koenig) seemingly burned into the wood directly above the classic "George Babe Ruth" engraved facsimile signature. Ruth's Professional Bat Ordering Record (PBOR) indicates he ordered bats in the range of 38 to 42 ounces in 1928 and 1929, with Ruth's bats reduced to 36–38 ounces commencing in 1930.
Boasting a super eye-pleasing standard patina finish, this 41.2 ounces/35" length hickory bat ties directly into Ruth's specifications for the 1928-29 period. As Ruth aged, he started ordering lighter bats to accelerate his bat speed, lowering the ounces to 40-42 by the late 1920s, and 38 ounces or less from 1930 until his ultimate retirement in June 1935. Validating its authenticity is the PSA specified "moderate" game-use including (1) ball marks on the left and back barrel; (2) a green rack mark from the Yankees bat tray evident on the left barrel; (3) a few small cleat impressions reflected on the front, left and back barrel; and (4) the provenance tied to Mark Koenig.
Ruth consistently gripped his bat with the label turned away from him, resulting in a left-handed batter's contact typically coming from the left barrel. This "label down" grip has been photo documented a myriad of times from the countless number of Ruth batting photos circulating throughout the hobby. While this bat predates model numbers being affixed to the knob or the face of the barrel, PSA has determined this Ruth bat to be "his 5-14-27" model, which was later assigned the model number "R34" when Louisville Slugger transitioned to alphanumeric model numbers in the early 1940s.
There is also a light "MK" pencil notation written on the bottom knob (below the PSA sticker), further justifying that this bat was once gifted from Ruth to the formidable Yankees shortstop. Considering Koenig used a bat at least 5-6 ounces lighter, PSA (and pure common sense) has completely ruled out the possibility of the game-use characteristics being attributed to Koenig since the offered bat was simply too heavy for the Yankees shortstop.
Aside from the aforementioned game-use ball and cleat marks, the bat has remained in splendid eye-pleasing condition, with the classic patina standard finish and time-defying "George Babe Ruth" facsimile engraving stealing the show. An additional LOA dated January 21, 1992 is also included from previous hobby bat expert Michael P. Montbriand who likewise attributes the bat to being gifted from Ruth to Koenig. Before PSA became the industry leader for bat authentication, it was Mr. Montbriand who was the foremost authority, and his three-page letter (with the mailing envelope) likewise provides extensive details relating to this museum-worthy artifact (note that Mr. Montbriand inadvertently places the bat in the 1925-26 era, with PSA's up-to-date Ruth PBOR correctly pinpointing the bat to the 1928-29 period).
Imagine owing a Ruth game-used bat gripped by the Babe to possibly wallop several long balls towards the furthest confines of Yankee Stadium or any other AL ballpark! Babe Ruth's unparalleled standing as baseball's greatest all-time player is virtually non-negotiable, with his remarkable pitching and batting prowess being a dynamic duo for the ages. Indeed, had he not chosen to give up the pitching rubber for an everyday place in the batter's box, Ruth would have most likely been enshrined in Cooperstown as a pitcher. Fortunately, the Sultan of Swat chose wisely, for his earth-shattering batting exploits place him at the pinnacle of the baseball world.
The thought of holding this remarkable offering immediately turns back the clock to an era when Ruth was placing a stranglehold on opposing pitchers with his awe-inspiring mammoth blasts. Remarkably, the "big palooka" could swing a 40+ ounce bat faster and with more torque than most players today, and this outstanding PSA 8.5 Ruth gamer is a steadfast reminder of everything this larger than life legend truly stands for across the globe.
Regarding its prospective value, we defer to the elite collector to ultimately decide its true worth, keeping in mind the tsunami-like price tags now associated with Babe Ruth game-used bats and jerseys. The infinite investment potential for these seemingly priceless heirlooms knows no bounds, and the fortunate winner of this Cooperstown-worthy Ruthian bat can literally emulate the Bambino himself by gripping its revered handle and fulfilling the unquenchable thirst of feeling young once again!
MIN BID $25,000