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1931 Len Koenecke Game Used Side-Written Bat (PSA GU 9)
A super rare item from a baseball player who was killed one day after being demoted. On September 15, 1935, Len Koenecke was in his second year playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers when, during a road trip in Chicago, he was informed he was cut. While on a plane heading back to New York, the lefty-hitting outfielder had become inebriated, harassing passengers and even striking a stewardess. After being shackled to his seat, Koenecke was removed from the flight in Detroit and slept at the airport. Upon awakening, he chartered a flight to Buffalo, where he had planned to join his minor-league teammates. However, Koenecke engaged in another altercation with a passenger and the pilot. During this encounter, he tried to seize control of the plane but was thwarted by the pilot, who hit him in the head with a fire extinguisher, rendering him unconscious. The blow proved fatal, and after an emergency landing in Canada, it had been determined that Koenecke died of a cerebral hemorrhage. This flame-burned Hillerich & Bradsby bat of his from his initial minor league stint in 1931 is the only one we know of. He was called up to the New York Giants the following spring, and only played parts of three big-league seasons. The ash bat circa 1930 weighs 40.1 ounces, measures 35" in length and is classified as pre-model. It is uncracked and exhibits evidence of heavy use. There is grain swelling on the back barrel from repeated ball contact, some checking repair with nails, many ball marks and ball stitch impressions visible on the right, left and back barrel. There are cream-colored bat rack streaks visible on the back barrel and pencil notations (44 /2 oz 35" 37 oz). The handle had been taped with a single adhesive ring to enhance the grip, but the tape has been removed. There is factory side writing: 'Len.Koenecke 8-13-31' visible on the barrel in vintage grease pencil. This is considered impeccable provenance. LOA included.
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