October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
In 1931 Al Simmons was at the top of his Hall of Fame career. His team, the Philadelphia A's, were on their way to their third consecutive pennant and Simmons' .390 with 22 home runs, 200 hits, 37 doubles, 13 triples and 128 RBI would earn him his second consecutive batting crown.
The A's star had come a long way from his humble beginnings. Originally known as Aloisius Szymanski, he was the son of Polish immigrants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Throughout his career Simmons remained faithful to his hometown and returned every winter and then permanently after his playing days ended. The people of Milwaukee were among Simmons' biggest supporters, and to honor their favorite son, a group of businessmen commissioned a silver bat to be presented to him before an A's - White Sox game at Comiskey Park. The bat must have given Simmons some extra luck as he went 3 for 4 the afternoon the bat was presented to him. The bat is silver plated and its barrel is engraved with "TO AL SIMMONS THE PRIDE AND JOY OF MILWAUKEE JULY 21. 1931 COMISKEY PARK CHICAGO FROM E.N.
LIERSON PRESIDENT ASSOCIATED ASSOCIATIONS OF MILWAUKEE BILL SPARROW JOHN MORGANROTH" The silver plated bat measures 34 1/2" in length and shows much wear from age and storage. The bat has some dings in its surface and has a slight bend to its upper handle. The engraving is still easily read and makes a quite distinctive display piece.