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On a Chicago Cub team that featured Ernie Banks and Ferguson Jenkins, Billy Williams was the steady, consistent player who enjoyed an outstanding Major League career that eventually landed him in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. A six-time All Star, Williams won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1961 and a NL Batting Crown in 1972. He finished his career with a .290 lifetime batting average, 426 home runs, and 1,475 RBIs.
This uncracked bat, manufactured by H & B between 1965 and 1968, measures 34.5 inches in length and weighs approximately 32.5 ounces. The model number S2 is stamped on the knob, beneath Williams' uniform number 26, which is written in vintage black marker. The number 32, representing the weight of this bat when shipped, is marked in pencil on the knob as well, consistent with Williams' personal H & B records. The knob has additionally been encircled with a marker as a method of identification by Williams. This bat displays significant evidence of professional game use, including blue and black rack marks, hit marks, ball marks, and a cleat mark at the barrel end. Heavy pine tar is seen on the handle in a 5.5 inch wide area approximately 13.25 inches from the knob, and consistent with Williams' characteristic pattern of use.
To complete the lure of this classic lumber, to the right of the centerbrand oval is a mark in vintage black marker. This mark is known as a "Yosh mark," and was commonly applied to Cub players' bats by long time Cub clubhouse manager Yosh Kawano to identify specific models.
This bat represents an outstanding example of a professional model bat used by Chicago Cub and Oakland A's Hall of Fame player Billy Williams during a period in which he played in 1,117 consecutive games, breaking a National League mark held by Stan Musial. The player characteristics of this bat, and the display qualities it exhibits, are virtually unimprovable.
This uncracked bat, manufactured by H & B between 1965 and 1968, measures 34.5 inches in length and weighs approximately 32.5 ounces. The model number S2 is stamped on the knob, beneath Williams' uniform number 26, which is written in vintage black marker. The number 32, representing the weight of this bat when shipped, is marked in pencil on the knob as well, consistent with Williams' personal H & B records. The knob has additionally been encircled with a marker as a method of identification by Williams. This bat displays significant evidence of professional game use, including blue and black rack marks, hit marks, ball marks, and a cleat mark at the barrel end. Heavy pine tar is seen on the handle in a 5.5 inch wide area approximately 13.25 inches from the knob, and consistent with Williams' characteristic pattern of use.
To complete the lure of this classic lumber, to the right of the centerbrand oval is a mark in vintage black marker. This mark is known as a "Yosh mark," and was commonly applied to Cub players' bats by long time Cub clubhouse manager Yosh Kawano to identify specific models.
This bat represents an outstanding example of a professional model bat used by Chicago Cub and Oakland A's Hall of Fame player Billy Williams during a period in which he played in 1,117 consecutive games, breaking a National League mark held by Stan Musial. The player characteristics of this bat, and the display qualities it exhibits, are virtually unimprovable.