Offered for sale is a circa 1955 Hillerich & Bradsby model K55 used by Earl Rapp during his time with the San Diego Padres of the
Pacific Coast League. Rapp was signed by the Phillies as a free agent in 1940. Rapp played parts of 1949, 1951, and 1952 for the
Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, New York Giants, St. Louis Browns, and Washington Senators. He played for the San Diego
Padres of the PCL starting in 1953 and played with them until 1957 when he also spent time with Portland (PCL) and Louisville of
the American Association. He accumulated nearly 2,000 hits and a .313 career average in the minor leagues. Based on the
presence of a 1955 center brand defect this bat likely dates to one of his best seasons in the PCL during which he batted .302 with
30 HRs and 133 RBIs.
This 35", 33.9 oz gamer shows evidence of tremendous use. Many ball marks and seam impressions are visible on both the left
and right barrel surfaces. There is heavy grain swelling with some separation on the backside, which has been repaired with 11
vintage nails. Also, the barrel end has some water damage. The handle remains uncracked. The knob has been stamped with the
model number (K55) and has a couple of small chips missing.
Pacific Coast League. Rapp was signed by the Phillies as a free agent in 1940. Rapp played parts of 1949, 1951, and 1952 for the
Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, New York Giants, St. Louis Browns, and Washington Senators. He played for the San Diego
Padres of the PCL starting in 1953 and played with them until 1957 when he also spent time with Portland (PCL) and Louisville of
the American Association. He accumulated nearly 2,000 hits and a .313 career average in the minor leagues. Based on the
presence of a 1955 center brand defect this bat likely dates to one of his best seasons in the PCL during which he batted .302 with
30 HRs and 133 RBIs.
This 35", 33.9 oz gamer shows evidence of tremendous use. Many ball marks and seam impressions are visible on both the left
and right barrel surfaces. There is heavy grain swelling with some separation on the backside, which has been repaired with 11
vintage nails. Also, the barrel end has some water damage. The handle remains uncracked. The knob has been stamped with the
model number (K55) and has a couple of small chips missing.
| $125 |
Additional images:
1955 Hillerich & Bradsby Earl Rapp K55
