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What can you say about a ballplayer who, in the final years of his career, received a standing ovation every time he came to bat?
Willie McGee, the 1985 National League MVP, enjoyed a brilliant career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox. He is associated primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he began and ended his career. Though his playing career was impressive, Willie has earned a respect that far outstrips any of his triples or diving catches. After McGee returned to St. Louis in 1996 to finish his career, he received a standing ovation each time he stepped to the plate at Busch Stadium.
McGee, a 4-time All Star and member of the 1982 World Champion Cardinals, won batting titles in 1985 and 1990, and finished his career with a .295 batting average.
This is a Willie McGee game-used professional model baseball bat manufactured by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company. It is a signature model with McGee's name stamped in script on the barrel as he had an endorsement contract with the company at the time of manufacture. This bat has what is commonly referred to as 1990 labeling, and is specific to that year --- a year that McGee won the N.L. batting championship with an average of .335 !!! The Model Number C271 is stamped into barrel of this bat. The bat has a black finish and has been sanded at the handle. It measures 34 inches in length and currently weighs approximately 32 ounces. A review of McGee's personal Hillerich & Bradsby factory shipping records during this period documents three orders of model C271 bats specifically matching the dimensions (34 inches / 32 ounces) and finish (black) of this bat. Two orders were shipped to McGee as a St. Louis Cardinal, and one shipped to him following his trade to the Oakland A's on 8/29/90.
The number 51 is evident on the knob of this bat, written in silver marker. Smith wore uniform number 51 throughout his career, including the 1990 season with both the Cardinals and the A's. This bat exhibits a significant number of game use characteristics, including deep hit marks and ball marks. Pine tar residue is evidenced on the handle of this bat. A crack is present on the handle of this bat, approximately 13 inches from the knob. The wood is not displaced and does not affect this bat's display quality. This is an opportunity to obtain an outstanding bat, documented in H & B shipping records, from Willie McGee, a member of the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals World Championship Team, used during a Batting Championship season.
This item was consigned by Chris Cavalier.View Lot Detail page