Quote:
Originally Posted by Huysmans
Hey John, they were using the J F Hillerich & Son center brand before 1897. As Joe has mentioned, as early as 1894.
In the Players of Cooperstown book, they picture a JFH & Son bat and mention that it was used by Hugh Duffy in 1894.
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the company was not JFH and Son until 1887 so the Duffy bat is not 1884
BTW Duffy played in the Eastern League (minor League) starting in 1886 and made the majors in 1888
The father was not very interested in the bat business until Bud proved to him it would be worthwhile. So his name was not on any bats until late in 1884/early 1885.
Falls City 1880 to 1884 were only used by players of Buds teams and league to find one is really tough
Hillerich 1884/85 to 1896 (1884/85 Louisville Slugger first used on some pro model bats) (Crackerjack was the Youth model until 1915)
J F Hillerich and Son 1897 to 1916
Hillerich and Bradsby 1916 on