Like every boy growing up in New England back in the 1950's, seven year-old Kevin O'Connell was a Ted Williams fan. However young Kevin was a little more fortunate than most kids in that his dad was Dick O'Connell, business manager (later GM) of the Red Sox. Because of this familial connection, Richard was gifted one of Ted Williams' coveted game used bats. The bat was given to Kevin O'Connell during Ted's phenomenal 1957 season in which The Splinter led the American League with a .388 batting average and slugging and on base percentage. That 1957 season was particularly sweet for Williams. At the ripe old age of 39, many considered him all but washed up from the game he loved. Going into 1957 with perhaps even more pent up drive than normal, Ted Williams showed the baseball world that in 1957 there simply wasn't anyone else who knew how to swing the bat better than he. What kid could resist calling Ted Williams their hero that summer?

      Ted's 1957 Hillerich & Bradsby W183 model bat was made to the slugger's exacting specifications: 35 inches and 31 ounces. It shows light use and there is a slight crack in its lower handle. Approximately 1/3 of the knob missing has been restored. Several ball marks from those trademark Williamsian cuts can be seen on the left barrel. The model number "W183" is stamped into the knob end. The Hillerich & Bradsby center brand has a small dimple at 10 o'clock which enables us to date it as being manufactured from 1955 to 1957. Overall, it's a beautiful piece of wood. Williams was famous for visiting the Hillerich & Bradsby factory in Louisville and meticulously choosing the very pieces of wood he wanted his bats made from. Age has bestowed a glowing golden tone on this bat, making it display exceedingly well. Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA (1B08476) who have examined this bat and given it a grade of GU 8. This stunning piece of lumber comes complete with O'Connell's son letter of provenance stating how he obtained the bat back in 1957.

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