This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 11/14/2022.
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb, nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, the last six as the team's player-manager. In 1936, Cobb received the most votes of any player on the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, receiving 222 out of a possible 226 votes. He is widely credited with setting 90 Major League Baseball records during his career and still holds several including the highest career batting average (.366) and most career batting titles with 12. He still holds the career record for stealing home (54). Presented is the earliest known and best Cobb bat in the hobby which dates to his rookie season 1905. Cobb played in 41 games and hit his first home run. Manufacturer: Hillerich & Bradsby Model Number: C28 Labeling Period: 1900-1905 Length: 34.5 inches Weight: 36.6 ounces Wood: Ash Finish Standard: The bat shows evidence of outstanding use with a slight crack on the upper handle. Ball marks can be seen on the right and back barrel. Cleat marks can be seen on all sides of the upper barrel. Areas on the left, right and back barrel have been lightly planed to receive factory side writing and additional factory notations. There appears to be remnants of a tape application on the lower handle. Today the side writing is no longer visible. The knob and top barrel have been vault marked with the model number “C28” which guarantees the name of Ty Cobb would be displayed if the side writing was visible. The appearance of factory side writing matching the name of the player who is branded into the bat is considered as impeccable provenance, in essence a letter of authenticity from the player and Louisville Slugger. This is the finest known example and only known rookie bat from perhaps the greatest player of all time. Accompanied by a PSA/DNA LOA grading the bat a perfect GU 10.