Johnny Vander Meer 1940 Kren's Special store model bat

[murphusa]

too bad you didn't see a few months ago


ebay item number 120934878061

[Mr. Mitt]

This is the link Murph is referring to...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...vip=true&rt=nc

[Mark]

On many game models, the word "HAND" appears where the letters "NO" appear on the bat, and the word "TURNED" appears where the letters "KSN" appear on the bat. Also, the discussion in this thread suggests that pro model bats ordinarily have the players' name in block letters rather than in a signiture:

http://http://www.net54baseball.com/...d.php?t=151216

It would be nice to hear from the experts on Kren bats.

[KrenBats]

I hesitated in responding to this post because I could definitely feel the excitement in acquiring this bat. I'll share my opinion, for what it's worth.

Johnny Vandermeer did play for Syracuse in 1937 and many of the Syracuse players used Kren bats. There are stories that Joe Kren Jr. would fill a wagon of Kren bats and take them to the players before the games. So it makes sense that Vandermeer used Kren bats at some point in his career.

I've attached a 1940 Kren Retail Catalog which offered a Johnny Vandermeer Autograph Model. You're right, pitcher endorsed models are very rare but my guess is Kren was capitalizing on the back to back no hitters and signed Vandermeer. As you can see from the Auto models offered, Kren did a horrible job in getting the top players of the time to endorse their bats compared to H&B. This is probably what did them in.

Also this bat is a No KSN model which is the Kren's Special - Natural Finish, with lengths 33" to 36".

As for "Hand Turned", not all Kren game used bats have that inside the diamond logo. Again, many of the Kren bats found in the H&B Barn Find had model numbers and almost all had the name in block letters.

Given that this bat matches the Retail Catalog, is foil stamped and marked 35"on the knob, my opinion is that it is a store model bat.

[thekingofclout]

Well, there goes my shout out...

[BigJJ]

Sorry to hear not a pro-model, sure presents as a great bat - the underbidder obviously thought it was a pro model as well.
Mike you did a great service. maybe can still save the money !
Best

[yanks12025]

But that seller deals in alot of sports stuff, so if it was a pro-model I think they would have mentioned it. But sorry for the bad news about the bat.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

Well, there goes my shout out...

Hey Jimmy,

No worries from me. I still appreciate the heads up, buddy!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by KrenBats

I hesitated in responding to this post because I could definitely feel the excitement in acquiring this bat. I'll share my opinion, for what it's worth.

Johnny Vandermeer did play for Syracuse in 1937 and many of the Syracuse players used Kren bats. There are stories that Joe Kren Jr. would fill a wagon of Kren bats and take them to the players before the games. So it makes sense that Vandermeer used Kren bats at some point in his career.

I've attached a 1940 Kren Retail Catalog which offered a Johnny Vandermeer Autograph Model. You're right, pitcher endorsed models are very rare but my guess is Kren was capitalizing on the back to back no hitters and signed Vandermeer. As you can see from the Auto models offered, Kren did a horrible job in getting the top players of the time to endorse their bats compared to H&B. This is probably what did them in.

Also this bat is a No KSN model which is the Kren's Special - Natural Finish, with lengths 33" to 36".

As for "Hand Turned", not all Kren game used bats have that inside the diamond logo. Again, many of the Kren bats found in the H&B Barn Find had model numbers and almost all had the name in block letters.

Given that this bat matches the Retail Catalog, is foil stamped and marked 35"on the knob, my opinion is that it is a store model bat.

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the excellent detailed info. I'll chock this purchase up to a lesson learned, but I still like the bat for my collection.

I do appreciate knowing the facts about the bat, so thanks for checking in with your great knowledge.

[sayhey24]

I still think it's a beautiful piece and a tremendous addition to your Johnny Vander Meer collection!

Greg

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by sayhey24

I still think it's a beautiful piece and a tremendous addition to your Johnny Vander Meer collection!

Greg

Thanks Greg, Brock, JJ and all that checked in. Live and learn.
It is great to have resident experts on net54 that can really help.