Hillerich & Bradsby Black Bats

[perezfan]

Yes- they are great.

I have the 1975, 76 and 90 Reds Bats. The 1975 Bat still has the gift card attached (from H&B to the recipient).

[71buc]

I have Pittsburgh and Baltimore 1971

[ksfarmboy]

I don’t have any of the major league models but collect those from the National Baseball Congress World Series. Have around 10 or so.

[Steve D]

Does anyone have any information about H&B black presentation bats for individual players?

Back in 1977, I was given a black bat commemorating George Foster's MVP season. It was just like the World Series black bats, with gold lettering.

I remember it was obtained by former umpire John McSherry, who was a good friend of a realtor who handled a new home purchase by my parents.

I've never seen any reference to any bats other than World Series and Hall of Fame inductions; and have wondered how often H&B made these individual player bats, and if there's anything like a checklist available.

Steve

[jcmtiger]

Thanks for the responses. There was a 3-4 page article in Sports Collectors Digest, Dec. 29 1995 by David Bushing. Also, Zane Burns & Lou Pasquale are 2 other sources for these bats. Include World Series Bats & All Star Bats. Joe

[perezfan]

I have an H&B Black Bat that was awarded to Lance Johnson for breaking a Triples record. So I imagine that H&B produces a lot of these Bats for players' individual awards and achievements.

You don't see many come up in the resale/auction circuit though. So am not sure how prevalent they really are.