Babe Ruth Bats

**suave1477** · 08-02-2006, 02:15 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

Ok im not a Ruth expert but im gonna take a shot in the dark on this one and maybe im about to look like a fool. but it seems a little too obvious on these.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????????

They show absolutely no use, and they look brand new like they were made yesterday and the wood shows no aging whatsoever.

Just my thought!!!

**bat_master** · 08-02-2006, 02:41 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

Originally posted by suave1477

Ok im not a Ruth expert but im gonna take a shot in the dark on this one and maybe im about to look like a fool. but it seems a little too obvious on these.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????????

They show absolutely no use, and they look brand new like they were made yesterday and the wood shows no aging whatsoever.

Just my thought!!!

Suave:
How can you make an assertion like that without seeing the hitting surface of each bat or without examining each bat in person? I would think that great hitters like Ruth, Williams, Mantle, etc would have large concentrations of stitch marks on the hitting surface, not over the labeling. Being a Ruth expert has nothing to do with this. This is simply a case of having seen some bats over the years.

For those readers that have had the pleasure of looking through the Smithsonian Baseball book by Stephen Wong there is a photo on page 69 that shows eight Ruth gamers side by side. While most of these bats do appear to show much more use (with assorted marks, dings, and scratches all over the barrel) that these shown here, I really don't think a true opinion can be formed without examining them in person.

As far as a bat aging I would expect that the storage conditions and any pre-storage precautions that were taken would have a lot to do with a bat's present visual condition. If these bats have been stored at the HOF since 1950 or before it would be conceivable that they would have aged quite well.

In my opinion, to disparage a bat without having specialized knowledge of either the player's bats or bats in general does a great disservice both to the buyer and the seller.

Tim Byington
t_byington@yahoo.com

**nesportspromotions** · 08-02-2006, 02:42 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

There seems to be very light us on th BACK and SIDES of the barrel. (NOT viewable in the pics I took.)

**suave1477** · 08-02-2006, 03:09 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

LIKE I SAID MY COMMENT WAS AN OPINION FROM THE PHOTOS SHOWN THATS ALL.

As far as bat aging well over time i agree with that but not matter what a bat still ages and by the looks of it the bat looks brand new and the finish on it looks like it crystal clean.

Again this is my opinion and im going by what I see in the photos.

**worldchamps** · 08-02-2006, 03:17 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

I did a quick Google image search and here is the bat that Sotheby's (sp?) sold. To me this is what a bat of this age should/would look like. Those pictures look like a brand new one, in my opinion.

Attached Files

**suave1477** · 08-02-2006, 04:03 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

I disagree in the Sotheby photos you can see the wood has aged and darkened over time.

The other photos of the Babe Ruth bat looks like the bat is clean and shiny as if it came right out of the factory

**flaco1801** · 08-02-2006, 04:04 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

louisville slugger made replica bats in the 80s of ruth i know fer sure and others. they are exact duplicates of the originals. clemente was another replica made. this bat could be one of them be careful looks new

**trsent** · 08-02-2006, 04:23 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

I am not a vintage bat expert and I have very little experience dealing with such items (and to think I have a bat on consignment with a major auction house right now that is pre-1970s that should fetch over $10,000.00) but I do know one thing:

A guy is thinking about buying some bats for a large amount of money. Any responses about his inquiry should come from people who have bought and sold and researched such an item in the past - Not people sitting around who like to get involved with any and every discussion on this forum. It may hurt the final sale or lack of a final sale because someone is making a view of an item that they have no experience with in the past.

I am going to assume (and you know what they say when you make an assumption) this is not my opinion only.

**b.heagy** · 08-02-2006, 05:16 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

I have handled vintage game used bats. Not as many as others on this forum but I have a pretty good feel for items. I would not be comfortable buying these for serious money. Now albeit I am looking at a picture. From the photos this bat has a modern look to it. The wood looks too good, the stampings look fresh. Those bats with those particular markings would date from the 1921-1930 labeling period if I am not mistaken. Wait for Jim Caravello or Mike Specht to read this thread. Then you will have a better opinion of authenticity. I believe Ruth liked longer and and heavy bats. Like I said the right two men will read this thread and will be able to give you a much better judgement.

**worldchamps** · 08-02-2006, 05:19 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

Nesportspromotions,

Please be sure when you ask the entire forum for help that you just ask for the self-titled experts.

I apologize that I tried to assist you. I thought a picture from a well know auction house would be of help to you.

Bill

**b.heagy** · 08-02-2006, 05:28 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

Originally posted by worldchamps

Nesportspromotions,

Please be sure when you ask the entire forum for help that you just ask for the self-titled experts.

I apologize that I tried to assist you. I thought a picture from a well know auction house would be of help to you.

Bill

I think those pictures are great and are very helpful. Big steer in the right direction in my opinion. I appreciate you sharing what you found.

**BoneRubbedBat** · 08-02-2006, 05:30 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

Neither one of these is a gamer. The first one only has Louisville in the top part of the centerbrand, and Kentucky in the lower portion. The 125 is of a different font than those from Ruth's days. These markings are not consistent with gamers from that era. The second one was produced post-1960. The font, size, and placement of the 125 in the centerbrand is consistent with the post-1960 era bats. The stamping itself on both bats is also consistent with the post-1960's.

**BoneRubbedBat** · 08-02-2006, 05:34 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

........and yes, this is my area of "expertise." Let me know if anyone wants a "Rudy-style" presentation of explanatory photos and I can see what I can do.

**weimerskirch** · 08-02-2006, 05:40 PM

Re: Babe Ruth Bats

NESports,

Joel gives some great advice on going directly to experts who have strong acumen in the area of Babe Ruth bats. I did check the MEARS website as I am a member and they do have a photo of a Ruth bat from the 1934-44 era. The bat looks similar to the bat you have in question.

I do agree with some of the posters as this bat looks very fresh and not one that would come from the pre-war days.

Good Luck

Mark

Babe Ruth Bats

Babe Ruth Bats

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