October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
Back in 1927 Paul and Lloyd Waner were the slugging brothers who powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to the National League pennant. Paul hit .380 and Lloyd .355 and their constant presence on the base paths led a Brooklyn fan to exclaim "Them Waners! It's always the little poison on thoid and the big poison on foist!" - "poison" being Brooklynese for "person".
"Big Poison" won three batting crowns and won the National League MVP Award in 1927. Retiring with a .333 average, Paul and his brother Lloyd were both elected to the Hall of Fame. After he hung up his spikes in 1945, Waner found he could not leave the game behind. The slugger built a private batting cage and worked out with the Pirates' young hitters.
Among his proteges was Dick Groat who attributes his rookie year success to Waner's patient mentoring. Groat recalled how the Hall of Famer "could still hit that machine and hit that ball hard". This bat was produced for Waner in 1954 and he put it to great use showing the kids first-hand "how it's done". The Hillerich & Bradsby W45 model bat exhibits outstanding use. The handle has been cracked and repaired with clubhouse nails. A great bat put through its paces by "Big Poison".
Letter of Authenticity (1B06556) from PSA/DNA.