Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
1950s Jim Piersall Boston Red Sox Game Used Bat
Jimmy Piersall was a Major League center fielder for 17 seasons, his most noteworthy years being his eight seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1950 & 1952-58). Displayed is a 1950s Jimmy Piersall Boston Red Sox Hillerich and Bradsby Louisville Slugger game used bat. Piersall spent much of his career battling bipolar disorder, and the aberrant behavior resulting from his illness resulted in numerous suspensions and leaves of absence. In 1952, his official rookie season, he suffered a nervous breakdown was even hospitalized in several institutions in Massachusetts. Over the ensuing seasons, Piersall would frequently argue with umpires, opponents, and even teammates. He would often clown during games, at one time mimicking opponent Satchel Paige's every move during a game. In 1963, while playing for the New York Mets, after he hit his 100th career home run, he ran around the bases in correct order, but facing backwards. For his career, Piersall batted .272, and he was a 2-time All-Star and a 2-time Gold Glove winner. In 1955, with the help of sportswriter Al Hirshberg, Piersall wrote an autobiography called Fear Strikes Out, later made into a feature film starring Anthony Perkins as Piersall. The bat is a Hillerich & Bradsby Professional Model Bat, Model # K55. The bat is 35" long, and it weighs 32.1 ounces. Piersall's number (37) is written on the knob in black marker by an unknown hand. Piersall's simulated signature is etched into the barrel. The bat would grade high if graded by PSA. The bat is uncracked, with lots of use on the barrel with ball seam impressions. There are green paint transfers from being put in and taken out of the bat rack. The bat rates a 9+/10. The game used bat makes a fine remembrance of a misunderstood player who played highly effective Major League baseball for years while confronting bipolar disorder in the years before the illness was more fully understood and before treatments that are effective today were available.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
Circa 1926 Rare Official National League Baseball in Box.
1940's St. Louis Browns Player's Jacket
1974 Jim "Catfish" Hunter Game Worn Glove
1979 Bruce Sutter Game Worn Cap & Spikes
1994 Barry Bonds Game Worn Batting Helmet
2001 Rickey Henderson Game Worn Glove
2001 Rickey Henderson 3,000 Hit Game Worn Batting Helmet
