October Legends Closing November 1
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2014
By the spring of 1953 Mickey Mantle was a star. It's no small wonder then that the Yankees ordered a batch of his Hillerich & Bradsby model bats for general use by the team - perhaps hoping that some of the Mick's raw talent would rub off on some of the other players. This Hillerich & Bradsby K55 Mickey Mantle Professional Model bat corresponds to what is called "Team Index Bats". These are established player models that are supplied by a team for general use rather than a bat specifically ordered and shipped to a particular player. These Team Index Bats were often used in spring training as players tried out different weights and models as they worked their way into shape. Though these bats were not usually game-used by the player whose signature is stamped into the barrel, it does not preclude one from having been used by that player. That said, this bat may not have been used by Mantle, but since it was available for any other Yankee to use, we can only imagine whose hands it has passed through as the 1950's Yankees were a veritable All-Star machine - Berra, Ford, Rizzuto, Richardson, Coleman, Howard - should I go on? The bat shows heavy use with many ball and stitch marks on the barrel and a handle crack that has been professionally repaired. Records show this particular Mantle model was ordered between 1953 and 1959 - The Mick's (and Stengel's Yankees) prime years. MEARS has thoroughly examined this bat and issued a Letter of Authenticity with the grade of A7.5.