Lot # 2298: 1930 Al Simmons Philadelphia Athletics Game-Used Bat Signed by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx PSA/DNA GU 8.5

Extraordinary Al Simmons H&B signature-model "6-11-30" bat dating from the Hall of Famer outfielder's magical 1930 season in which he won the American League batting title and finished second in league MVP voting. Graded GU 8.5 by PSA. Adding to the bat's significance is that it has been signed by 12 of Simmons' contemporaries who played for either the Philadelphia Athletics or New York Yankees in 1930. The bat is signed by Babe Ruth, Tony Lazzeri, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Cochrane, Lou Gehrig, Chas "Red" Ruffing, Bill Dickey, Lyn Lary, Max Bishop, Cy Perkins, Mule Haas, and Joe Boley. (According to the letter from JSA, the signature of Babe Ruth has been enhanced in an unknown hand.) Vintage signatures on a pro-model bat are extremely desirable because they undeniably place the bat in that particular player's hands during a narrowly defined period of his career. There is a strong likelihood this bat was signed before or after one of the 22 games the teams played that season. The bat, which is cracked and has been secured with a single nail, displays outstanding use along its entire length, including ball marks and green bat rack streaks on the barrel. Simmons enjoyed arguably the finest season of his career in 1930, finishing with a league-leading .381 batting average and 152 runs scored to go with a career high 36 home runs and 165 RBI. Simmons continued his torrid hitting during the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, batting .364 with two home runs and eight RBI. His defining moment came in Game 6, as his go-ahead home run in the third inning provided the deciding run that clinched the Athletics' second straight championship. Simmons retired in 1944 with a .334 career batting average, 307 home runs, and 1,827 RBI. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953. Length: 36.5 inches. Weight: 36.6 ounces. Full LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA (bat only, corresponding sticker affixed to the handle). Full LOA from James Spence/JSA (autographs only). The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.