My Vintage Minneapolis Millers & St. Paul Saints Collection

[Tay1038]

1921 Bill McKechnie Game Used Bat (Ty Lober Professional Model) – Hall of Fame

This bat ranks right up there with my Monte Irvin and Gavvy Cravath as one of the scarcest game-used bats in my collection today. For your viewing is a game-used bat from Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie. Originally issued to Ty Lober, who spent his 1921 season with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association, the bat was used by McKechnie in 1921, his only season with the Minneapolis Millers. The bat has been side written, "39 ½ Wm. McKechnie 8-15-21 Minneapolis BBC” indicting that Hall of Fame Pirates & Reds manager Bill McKechnie came into possession of the bat at some point during the 1921 season (also in the American Association) and sent back to Hillerich & Bradsby, likely to have bats made for himself in the same style.

In 1921, Bill MeKechnie finished his playing career at third base for Minneapolis. He had only a .234 lifetime average in the major leagues but hit .321 for the Millers with 8 HRs and 65 RBI’s. Following his playing days, McKechnie compiled a long and successful record as a manager, winning pennants with three different National League (St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati) earning himself a spot in the Hall of Fame in 1961. McKechnie had also played for St. Paul in 1912 and is the only Hall of Famer to have played for both the Millers and Saints.

Special thank you to fellow N54 member for selling this one to me! I can't imagine there is another McKechnie gamer out there.