This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Hall of Famer Sam "Wahoo Sam" Crawford was one of the greatest all-around players of the dead-ball era. A lifetime .309 hitter, Crawford was just shy of 3000 hits with 2961, and had 1525 RBIs. He and teammate Ty Cobb led the Detroit Tigers to back-to-back league championships in 1907 and 1908. This Spalding coaches' bat, measuring 35 inches and weighing 36.3 ounces, shows evidence of nice use with a handle crack. This bat was sent to Hillerich & Bradsby, by Crawford, to be used as a model for future bats he would order. This is evidenced by the side writing, in grease pencil, on the barrel of the bat. Players would mail their favorite bats back to the factory for duplication. When received, H & B would mark the weight of the bat, the player's name, and the date received. In this case, "38 ounces, Samuel E. Crawford, 3-2-21". The significance of side writing is that it places the bat directly in the player's hand. It's like getting a letter of authenticity from the factory.