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George Stanley Halas, Sr. (February 2, 1895 - October 31, 1983), nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was an All-American football player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional football and the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears. In college, he attended the University of Illinois, playing football for Coach Bob Zuppke as well as baseball and basketball, and earning a degree in civil engineering. He helped Illinois win the 1918 Big Ten football title. Serving as an ensign in the Navy during World War I, he played football for a team at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, and was named the MVP of the 1919 Rose Bowl. Afterward, Halas played minor league and semi-pro baseball, eventually earning a promotion to the New York Yankees, where he played 12 games as an outfielder in 1919. However, a hip injury effectively ended his baseball career. The popular myth was that Halas was succeeded as the Yankees' right fielder by Babe Ruth, but in reality Ruth replaced Sammy Vick. Following his short-lived baseball career, Halas became one of the most influential persons in pro football in the 20th century. George Halas' football career ledger reads as follows: 63 years as an owner, 40 as a coach, 324 wins, and 8 NFL titles as a coach or owner. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
The bat was manufactured by Houghkirk Polin with a designation of 250 in the center brand. On the barrel, the bat is designated HALAS TYPE, leading to the possibility that this bat was manufactured for, and used by, George Halas. The likelihood that Halas had a local wood shop, or manufacturer of wood handled tools, craft bats for him in college and/or during his semi-pro, minor league, or New York Yankee days is reasonable, as it was a common practice of the time. Given Halas' relatively obscure status at the time, it is not likely that he had a retail model with this, or any, company. Of particular interest, however, is the origin of this bat. This bat was sourced from the Hillerich & Bradsby Company, and was part of the famed "Louisville Find" of the early 1990s. That leads to the near certainty that some player, possibly Halas, sent this bat to H & B to use as a pattern for future H & B orders. Equally interesting is the fact that a second, Zinn Beck, Halas bat was also part of the Louisville find, adding to the possibility that both bats were sent to H & B following professional use to be used as prototypes for future H & B orders. (NOTE: A known and experience wood worker, Zinn Beck used his knowledge and experience from his major league baseball career to manufacture bats after his playing career ended. Zinn Beck played 5 seasons with St. Louis (1913-16) and one with the New York Yankees in 1918.)
This bat measures 33 inches in length and weighs approximately 35 ounces. There is a small, non-displaced, virtually invisible crack on the handle approximately 8 inches from the knob. Knob wear is evident on this bat, including a very small chip. Hit marks, cleat marks, and some grain swelling above the label evidence professional game use on this bat. This is a professional grade, well-tooled vintage baseball bat sourced directly from the Hillerich & Bradsby archives, with possible connections to one of the greatest legends in professional football history, George Halas. It was consigned to the auction by Rob Steinmetz.View Lot Detail page