I'm sure there were a few people that influenced Torre during his playing days and managerial career that eventually led him to a first ballot Hall of Fame induction in 2014. Torre won the 1971 National League Most Valuable Player award as a 3rd baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals and apparently he owes the most gratitude to long-time Cardinals fixture George Kissell for his position change. "There were a lot of things I never thought to think about until really I associated with Kissell" said Torre. In 1971 when Kissell was a Cardinals coach he oversaw Joe Torres transition from catcher to third baseman working with him daily in spring training and providing insights that served Torre well long after he left St. Louis. Hed stand behind me and throw a ball off a concrete wall and Id have to react to its bounce and catch it recalled Torre. The more we did it the closer I moved to the wall and the closer I moved to the wall the more my reaction time quickened. Torre remembered how Kissell also convinced him that his feet were spread too wide apart in his fielding stance. Rather than simply ordering Torre to make a change Kissell likened his stance to that of a basketball defender who would be ill-positioned to guard against a fleet player like Bob Cousy. I learned one of many lessons from George that day Torre wrote. As a manager you have to find a way to communicate with people to correct and suggest things without having them resent you for it. (NY Times article 10/8/08).

This Rawlings Adirondack P302F store model bat has "129" stamped in the knob with what appears to be "U-1" in black marker. It is uncracked and displays obvious signs of use with ball cleat and bat rack marks as well as grain separation. There is some paint chipping to the red ring around the top of the handle. Bat is 34 3/4" long and weighs 37.5 ounces. This bat is most certainly used; the question is whether it saw real game auction. Torre has signed on the barrel "To Mike All the best Joe Torre" in 7-8/10 black marker. Mike is the grandson of George Kissell. Comes with an original Western Union mailgram sent by Torre to his friend and mentor George Kissell congratulating him on being honored by the Cardinals.

Includes Letter of Authenticity from Kissell's grandson.

Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.

The definition of a "baseball lifer" George Kissell spent 68 years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Starting in 1940 he played three seasons in the minor leagues before serving in World War II. He then worked as a manager instructor and scout in the Cards farm system from 1946 to 1968 and coached at the big league level 1969-75. After that Kissell coached at spring training and directed winter instructional camps. He mentored many players and future managers most notably Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre. In 2005 the Cardinals named their spring training clubhouse in Jupiter Fla. after him. George Kissell was still serving as the teams senior field coordinator for player development in 2008 when he died at the age of 88.