FALL 2012 Auction
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 09:00PM EST - Sun, Dec 2, 2012 12:00PM EST
Lot 688
1938-39 LOU GEHRIG NEW YORK YANKEES LOUISVILLE SLUGGER PROFESSIONAL MODEL GAME-USED BAT (MEARS A7)
Sold for
$75,205.20
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $150,000 |
Lou Gehrig began the 1938 season as he had for the previous thirteen summers never missing a gameand seldom failing in RBI opportunities. Unassuming and humblealmost to a fault"The Iron Horse" simply blended as an element of a bigger picture content with second billing to a youthful Joe DiMaggio as he had been in the sizable shadow of Babe Ruth. For months he sustained more than adequate numbers but the statistics temporarily masked an undeniable truth. His physical capabilities were deteriorating ever so slowly...and only Gehrig himself had even the slightest grasp on his tragic decline. At the midpoint of the 1938 season Gehrig's diminishing performance revealed itself. At the end of that season he said "I tired mid season. I don't know why but I just couldn't get going again." Although his final 1938 statistics were above average they were significantly down from his 1937 season. In the 1938 World Series he had four hits in fourteen at-bats all singles. On May 2 1939 Lou Gehrig took himself out of the starting lineup of the New York Yankees before the start of a game against the Detroit Tigers ending his streak of 2130 consecutive games.
A review of Lou Gehrigs personal bat records show that this 34 inch 34.7 ounce bat is from his first recorded request for smaller 34 bats during his professional career a part of his order for (3) ash bats of this model sent to Gehrig on 9-7-38. Gehrig was certainly trying to make adjustments to improve his diminishing game and his ordering of this smaller than normal bat supports that fact. Also interesting the Lou Gehrig barrel stamping is factory stamped on a very noticeable wide grain surface as noted in Gehrigs personal records. Having been ordered so late in the season (September) it is quite possible this bat would have been available for Gehrig to use during his final 1939 season. Both the handle and knob have been professionally repaired with the bat showing medium game use including 10 distinct clusters of ball marks present on the barrel and seam and stitch marks also visible. The display quality of this bat more than lives up to its heritage. Used during the last and most trying days of his epic career this bat is an enduring symbol of baseballs courageous Iron Horse.
LOA from MEARS (Grade A7)
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