Pair of World Series black bats originally from the collection The Sporting News J.G. Taylor Spink's personal collection. There is a nice story behind how the consignor Fred Martin got these bats. After college Fred worked room service at the Camelback Inn (now owned by Marriott) in Scottsdale AZ. J.G. Taylor Spink stayed there whenever he visited the Phoenix area during the late 1950's and early 1960's. Fred served Mr. Spink and ran a lot of errands for him as Mr. Spink was in his early 70's at that time. They became good friends Mr. Spink acting as a bit of a mentor to Fred and introducing him to baseball executives to help him find a career in baseball. Fred played baseball in college and had a brief minor league stint before ending up at the Camelback. As a kind gesture to his young friend who took such good care of him during his stays at the hotel Mr. Spink gifted three bats to Fred including the two in this lot. A December 18 1961 letter from Mr. Spink to Fred's mother explains the circumstances of this gift. Mr. Spink passed away less than a year later. New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds black bats feature facsimile autographs in gold of all players who use Louisville slugger bats and block names of those who don't. Both bats in very nice condition with just a small amount of wear.

Comes with a letter to the consignor's mother signed by J.G. Taylor Spink on The Sporting News letterhead. Original envelope also included.

Spink's signature on letter pre-certified by PSA/DNA.