This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2013
This lot features an extremely rare Napoleon Lajoie 1916-22 Louisville Slugger Professional model bat exhibiting heavy use with ball marks, ball stitch impressions, cleat marks, 11 inch handle crack with grain separation from repeated ball contact as well as a 2 1/4 inch piece missing from the back barrel. There is "D" carved into the knob. The bat matches factory records for Lajoie measuring 35 inches and weighing 35.7 ounces. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA grading the bat a GU 5 and MEARS grading the bat a GU 5.5. MEARS initially evaluated this bat in 2007 and, at the time, stated that this was the only known Lajoie bat from the end of his playing days (1916) or beginning of his playing days in the Minor Leagues (post-1916). Due to the era in which Lajoie played, it is nearly impossible to ever place a bat directly in his hands because there weren't any surviving records from Louisville Slugger detailing his bat orders. The fact that it matches his preferred length and weight and that it is a signature model from his playing days makes this a highly sought after Lajoie bat and one that any 3,000 Hit Club collector will likely be missing from their collection.
(PSA/DNA John Taube)