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After playing with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League and in the minor leagues, Hank Aaron started his Major League Baseball career in 1954. He played 21 seasons with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, and his last two years with the Milwaukee Brewers. Throughout his career, Aaron had many accomplishments and records. His most notable achievement was setting the MLB record for most career home runs with 755, which he held for 33 years until being surpassed by San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds on August 7, 2007. Aaron's consistency helped him to establish a number of important hitting records during his 23-year career. Aaron holds the MLB records for the most career runs batted in (2,297), the most career extra base hits (1,477), and the most career total bases (6,856). He is also in the top five for career hits and runs. In 1999, editors at The Sporting News ranked Hank Aaron 5th on their list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players". That same year, baseball fans named Aaron to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
This bat, measuring 34¼ inches in length and weighing approximately 31 ounces, is a Hank Aaron signature model R43 manufactured by Hillerich & Bradsby during the period 1980-1983. Use on this bat consists of hit marks and ball marks on the barrel and grain separation on the back of the barrel. Scoring is present on the handle of this bat to enhance the grip. At some point, tape had been applied to the barrel of this bat, a technique often used by coaches to preserve their bats during drills, infield, etc. A slight, non-displaced crack is present on the barrel, approximately 11 inches from the knob that does not affect the display quality of this bat.
A review of Aaron's H & B factory records shows two orders of model R43 bats sent to Aaron in 1982. The first, which matches this bat, was shipped to BB Promotions in January, 1982 prior to Spring Training, with a designated weight, which is indicative of production for the player's professional use. The second R43 order, with a length of 36 inches that does not match this bat, was shipped in June of that year to BB Miscellaneous, also with a designated weight.
Aaron's uniform number, 44, is written on the knob in black marker. This bat was originally obtained on August 21, 1982 following pre-game activities before a Braves-Mets game. The occasion was the Silver 25th Anniversary of the 1957 Braves World Championship, and activities included a Home Run Contest, Old-Timers Reunion, and the retirement of Aaron's Uniform Number 44 following his induction into the Hall of Fame a few weeks earlier. Aaron participated in the Home Run Contest, won by then-Mets coach Frank Howard with nine homers. He broke the bat he was using after connecting for four home runs.
Noted Atlanta Braves and vintage bat collector Greg Taylor was on the field shagging balls during the contest. Afterward, he retrieved a discarded cracked bat from the field and had it signed by Aaron. Aaron signed this bat above the barrel label in blue Sharpie. Measuring a full 3½ inches, the signature is clear and unhurried – a solid 10 !
This bat is sourced from Taylor's family, and includes original note cards written after the event and a Letter of Provenance from the family concerning their possession of this bat since that time. Additional items included with this bat are a ticket stub, program, souvenir certificate, and souvenir envelope from the game.
This bat shows additional use as described above that would have been made prior to any use that day. Therefore, this bat is offered as a used post-career Hank Aaron signature professional model bat, of a model and dimensions consistent with Aaron's 1982 H & B factory records, and signed by Brave Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron. The bat displays exceptionally well, and bears one of the nicest, and largest, Hank Aaron signatures to be found.
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This bat, measuring 34¼ inches in length and weighing approximately 31 ounces, is a Hank Aaron signature model R43 manufactured by Hillerich & Bradsby during the period 1980-1983. Use on this bat consists of hit marks and ball marks on the barrel and grain separation on the back of the barrel. Scoring is present on the handle of this bat to enhance the grip. At some point, tape had been applied to the barrel of this bat, a technique often used by coaches to preserve their bats during drills, infield, etc. A slight, non-displaced crack is present on the barrel, approximately 11 inches from the knob that does not affect the display quality of this bat.
A review of Aaron's H & B factory records shows two orders of model R43 bats sent to Aaron in 1982. The first, which matches this bat, was shipped to BB Promotions in January, 1982 prior to Spring Training, with a designated weight, which is indicative of production for the player's professional use. The second R43 order, with a length of 36 inches that does not match this bat, was shipped in June of that year to BB Miscellaneous, also with a designated weight.
Aaron's uniform number, 44, is written on the knob in black marker. This bat was originally obtained on August 21, 1982 following pre-game activities before a Braves-Mets game. The occasion was the Silver 25th Anniversary of the 1957 Braves World Championship, and activities included a Home Run Contest, Old-Timers Reunion, and the retirement of Aaron's Uniform Number 44 following his induction into the Hall of Fame a few weeks earlier. Aaron participated in the Home Run Contest, won by then-Mets coach Frank Howard with nine homers. He broke the bat he was using after connecting for four home runs.
Noted Atlanta Braves and vintage bat collector Greg Taylor was on the field shagging balls during the contest. Afterward, he retrieved a discarded cracked bat from the field and had it signed by Aaron. Aaron signed this bat above the barrel label in blue Sharpie. Measuring a full 3½ inches, the signature is clear and unhurried – a solid 10 !
This bat is sourced from Taylor's family, and includes original note cards written after the event and a Letter of Provenance from the family concerning their possession of this bat since that time. Additional items included with this bat are a ticket stub, program, souvenir certificate, and souvenir envelope from the game.
This bat shows additional use as described above that would have been made prior to any use that day. Therefore, this bat is offered as a used post-career Hank Aaron signature professional model bat, of a model and dimensions consistent with Aaron's 1982 H & B factory records, and signed by Brave Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron. The bat displays exceptionally well, and bears one of the nicest, and largest, Hank Aaron signatures to be found.
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