Don Kessinger Bat

[stepback2000]

Hello Everyone,
I recently picked up a game used, Cubs era Don Kessinger bat at a local antique store. The bat is a Louisville Slugger with M110 stamped in the knob. The bat is 34 1/2 inches in length,has a heavy coat of pine tar on the handle, and has a faded number11 on the knob, as well as a Yosh mark near the word Powerized. Yosh Kawano was the Cubs equipment manager at this time.The bat has a small R in a circle after the word slugger in the centerbrand, so this dates it sometime after1964.The most interesting thing about the bat is that the barrel is grooved. There are nine grooves that run the length of the barrel from above the center brand to two inches from the end of the bat. Was Kessinger known for grooving his bats? I would like to know if a member would be so kind to check LS bat order records to find what year or years he used the M110 model. Thanking you in advance.Mike

[MSpecht]

A review of Kessinger's H & B records shows that he favored model M110 almost exclusively between 7/22/1964 and 6/1/1966. During that period 13 of 16 orders were for that model. The M110 orders were found in lengths of 34 and 34.5 inches, and 31 or 32 ounces, and consisted of approximately 60 bats. Later in his career he ordered M110 bats in 1973 (36 bats) and 1977-79 (56). A review of auctioned Kessinger gamers does not indicate that scoring his bats was a consistent characteristic.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[Hoosier39]

You have a 1973 gamer with Yosh marks. Sounds like a good one.

[stepback2000]

My thanks to Mike and Terry for your information on my Kessinger bat. Any other information is appreciated. Mike

[MSpecht]

No problem. Here is the information on Kessinger's 1973 orders. In 1973 DK placed six orders for M110 bats. All six orders (totaling 36 bats) were identical as follows:

M110 / 34 1/2 inches / 32 ounces / Wax finish / 6 bats

The orders were dated April 3, May 26, July 6, July 26, August 8, and August 9.

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com