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For
years the Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
afforded schools, and colleges the
opportunity to order signature model
baseball bats with the approximate
specifications used by professional
ballplayers. The name of the college or
initials would be branded into the
barrel below the players name. This Mickey Mantle Louisville
Slugger 125, K55 baseball bat was
ordered by Berkshire Christian College,
but with a 33 inch length. Mickey
Mantle typically used 35" bats. In 1943
model numbers first appear on the knob
of Louisville slugger baseball bats,
retail bats would feature an inch mark,
to help the consumer
identify size.
This Bat dates to the 1961-1964 manufacturing period. In 1964
REG US PAT OFF was removed from under
the center oval label, and the
registered trademark ® was placed after
Louisville Slugger. Also in 1961 the
"2" in 125 appears directly over the
"&" in the label. Throughout his career, Mickey
Mantle used Louisville Slugger models M110, K55,
for the most part, and model W215
in 1966.
He also used an
Adirondack 302 bat on occasions.
College bats will carry a premium above
the value of a retail bat. Baseball bats closer to the
players specifications, length and
weight, could sell for
more. In general you could add about
10% to the value of a retail bat of a
star player, and 20% to Hall of Fame
players. Baseball bats from top
colleges with successful sports
programs, will sell at a higher premium
than smaller local schools and
colleges.
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