Offered for sale is a Hillerich & Bradsby model O16 used by Walt Dropo with the Cincinnati Redlegs (Reds) during the 1958
season. Dropo played from 1949 to 1961 with the Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox, Reds, and Orioles. He retired after the 1961 season
a career .270 hitter with 1,113 hits, 152 HRs, and 704 RBIs. The 1950 American League ROY was an all star in 1950 as well.
This 34.5", 32.2 oz gamer shows evidence of tremendous use. Many ball marks and deeply embedded seam impressions are
visible on the left, right, and back barrel surfaces and there is grain swelling from repeated contact. Some minor grain separation
on the left barrel as well as a couple of repaired areas of deadwood with minor wood loss. The handle has a light coat of pine tar
and is not cracked. The knob is stamped with the model number (O16) and Dropo's Reds #18 is written in faded black marker.
This bat is pinpointed by Dropo's #18 marked in black on the knob which he only wore in 1958 and 1958. It is further narrowed to
1958 by the presence of a center brand defect as noted on page 31 of the Malta Guide. This bat is accompanied by an LOA from
Hall of Fame Bats.
season. Dropo played from 1949 to 1961 with the Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox, Reds, and Orioles. He retired after the 1961 season
a career .270 hitter with 1,113 hits, 152 HRs, and 704 RBIs. The 1950 American League ROY was an all star in 1950 as well.
This 34.5", 32.2 oz gamer shows evidence of tremendous use. Many ball marks and deeply embedded seam impressions are
visible on the left, right, and back barrel surfaces and there is grain swelling from repeated contact. Some minor grain separation
on the left barrel as well as a couple of repaired areas of deadwood with minor wood loss. The handle has a light coat of pine tar
and is not cracked. The knob is stamped with the model number (O16) and Dropo's Reds #18 is written in faded black marker.
This bat is pinpointed by Dropo's #18 marked in black on the knob which he only wore in 1958 and 1958. It is further narrowed to
1958 by the presence of a center brand defect as noted on page 31 of the Malta Guide. This bat is accompanied by an LOA from
Hall of Fame Bats.
| $300 |
Additional images:
1958 Hillerich & Bradsby Walt Dropo O16
