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Chet Lemon was drafted in the first round of the 1972 draft by the Chicago White Sox. Known throughout baseball for his work ethic and hustle, Lemon made his major league debut in 1975 with Chicago, before becoming a full time player the next season. An unequaled defensive player, in 1977 he set an American League record with 524 total chances and 512 putouts; in all, he recorded 400 or more outfield putouts in five different seasons, which is also an American League record. His first All-Star Game appearance came in 1978. After the 1981 season, Lemon was traded to the Detroit Tigers where he remained until the end of his career. Lemon arguably had his best season in 1984, as he hit .287 with 20 home runs and 76 RBI. The Tigers won the 1984 World Series over the San Diego Padres. He was also the starting centerfielder for the American League at the 1984 All-Star game. Lemon retired from baseball following the 1990 season after a 16-year career, compiling a .273 career batting average and 215 home runs.
This bat was manufactured by the Hillerich & Bradsby Company. It is a signature model with Chet Lemon's name stamped in script (Chester Lemon) 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 1986-89 era labeling. The Model Number K48 is stamped into barrel of this bat. The bat has a natural, or regular, finish. It measures 34.5 inches in length and currently weighs approximately 32.5 ounces.. This bat has a crack in the handle that begins 10 inches from the knob and extends approximately 8.5 inches toward the barrel. This crack is slightly displaced and occurs along the grain of the wood. The number 34 is evident on both the knob and the barrel end of this bat, written in vintage marker. Lemon wore uniform number 34 between 1982 and 1990 with the Detroit Tigers. This bat also exhibits a significant number of game use characteristics, including a cracked handle, light pine tar residue, hit marks, ball marks, rack marks, and slight grain separation.
This is an opportunity to obtain a bat used by former Major Leaguer Chet Lemon from his playing days with the Detroit Tigers during a period when he hit 56 home runs with 239 RBIs and scored 232 runs. His game used bats are among the most difficult to find for collectors of the 1984 Tigers World Championship Team. It was consigned to the auction by Christopher Cavalier. View Lot Detail page