This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/6/2013.
Theodore Samuel Williams was a two-time American League MVP winner, led the league in batting six times, and won the Triple Crown twice. A 19-time All-Star, he had an astounding career batting average of .344 with 521 home runs, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966. Williams recorded a hit 34 percent of the time and he reached base an incredible 48 percent of the time. The Splendid Splinter was the last player in MLB to bat over .400 in a single season; .406 in 1941. Before the final day of the season that year, Williams was batting .39955, which would have been rounded up to a .400 average. Williams, who had the chance to sit out the final, decided to play a doubleheader against the Athletics. Williams explained that he didn't really deserve the .400 average if he did sit out. He went 6-for-8 on the day, finishing the baseball season at .406. Manuf: H&B Signature Model. Model Number: W183. Length: 35 in Weight: 32.7 oz Labeling Period: 1955-57 Wood: Ash. Condition: Uncracked. Ball and hit marks are visible on the right, left and back barrel. There is a moderate coat of “pine tar” on the upper handle, which is actually olive oil rosin. As told to us by John Taube of PSA/DNA, “according to Johnny Orlando, Jr., Red Sox bat boy, Ted Williams preferred a mixture of olive oil and rosin to pine tar”. Cleat marks surround the entire barrel. Williams’ number “9” appears on the knob end in black paint. The bat exhibits evidence of tremendous use. Accompanied by a LOA from PSA/DNA grading the bat a GU10….the highest possible grade from PSA. This is as nice a Teddy Ballgame gamer as you will find, incredible doesn’t even come close.