The standout shortstop from Muscotah Kansas was the hub in the Chicago Cubs' famed double-play trio. Blessed with exceptional speed Joe Tinker was an aggressive and spirited performer who excelled in clutch situations. He became a regular in 1902 as a 21-year-old rookie and five times led National League shortstops in fielding contributing greatly to four Chicago pennants. Tinker concluded his career as a player-manager for the Cincinnati Reds the Chicago Federals and the Cubs. Presented here is the only known game used bat from this prolific pre-war Hall of Famer. This Hillerich & Bradsby Joe Tinker professional model bat is un-cracked and exhibits solid game use some of which is obscured by dark residue on the barrel. Stamped into the knob is the name TINKER and a 5-inch area on the front barrel was planed to accept the vault marked name TINKER. Factory notations though very light can still be seen in the planed area. On the left barrel a four-inch area has been planed to accept the faintly legible factory side written player name Tinker. The dark residue on the handle and barrel is seen on many early 20th century bats from the Louisville Slugger vault. The barrel and handle shows a few areas where the residue has alligatored indicating the bat was exposed to extreme heat. The labeling period of the subject bat is corroborated as 1910 by this alligatored finish. On December 13 1910 then J. F. Hillerich & Son Company was gutted by fire. 'The second floor was destroyed but much of the first floor was saved including the storage area where game used bats returned by the players were kept. The combination of this bats status as the lone professional model Tinker bat in existence compounded by ideal usage and provenance traits makes this one of the premier pre-war Hall of Fame bats introduced to the hobby.

Includes a LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (Graded GU10).