A 5-time All-Star (1976-79, 1981), George Foster was a member of the 1970s Big Red Machine, leading the league in home runs in 1977 and 1978, runs batted in from 1976 to 1978, and OPS in 1977. In 1977, Foster hit 52 home runs, making him the only major league player to belt 50 or more homers in a single season during a 25-year period (between Willie Mays in 1965 and Cecil Fielder in 1990). During Foster's career he hit for a .274 batting average, with 348 HRs, 1239 RBI, 1925 hits and 986 runs scored in 1977 games played. Playing in four World Series, Foster was on the World Champion Reds in 1975 and 1976. He was selected as the NL's Most Valuable Player in 1977.
This hickory finished Louisville Slugger P72 was manufactured by Hillerich & Bradsby during the 1980-1983 labeling period, and was used by Foster during that time when he played with both the Reds and the New York Mets. This bat, 35 inches in length and approximately 35 ounces in weight, matches Foster's personal H & B factory records for the period of manufacture, and is a very representative example of a George Foster gamer. The barrel of this bat is full of ball marks and hit marks, and repeated contact with pitched balls has produced a medium amount of grain swelling on the barrel. This bat has sustained a small, non-displaced crack on the handle, difficult to see beneath a special handle preparation. The handle of this bat has had a spiral cork grip attached, extending approximately 10 ½ inches from the knob. Through heavy use, the grip exhibits wear and is slightly split in one area. Foster's uniform number, 15, is written on the knob in black marker.View Lot Detail page