This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
Just as we're preparing the catalog for this auction, we learned of his passing, one of the greatest in the history of the game! Before Reggie Jackson became the hero of two cities, winning multiple championships with the Athletics and Yankees, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson did the same in Cincinnati and Baltimore, taking the Reds to the World Series in 1961 and then returning to the fall classic four times with the Orioles, winning the championship in 1966 and 1970. With his Triple Crown season in 1966 and MVP Awards in both the American and National League, Frank Robinson completed a 21-year career that is unrivaled, retiring with the fourth most home runs in major league history at 586. The featured bat, a Louisville Slugger model M117, dates back to Robinson's rookie era and is perhaps the only known example from that time period. An engraved model "M117" along with a black marker "2" appears on the knob. A small area of dead wood is on the barrel opposite the stamp and the handle has multiple cracks, expertly repaired by the placement of eleven small nails. While the centerbrand places the bat between 1950-1960, H&B shipping records indicate that Robinson only ordered this model bat with specifications of 35" and 33 ounces during the two year period of 1956-57. As an added bonus, Robinson has signed the bat in blue marker just to the left of his stamped signature on the barrel. An extremely rare rookie era gamer of one of the greatest Hall of Famers of the post war era. LOA from John Taube - PSA/DNA with a grade of 8.5.