Your most prized baseball related possession? This is mine...

[John V]

Mark,
I'm loving your grandfather's Felsch bat.
I can imagine the encouraging words from Hillerich & Bradsby. Do you mind sharing the details?

[thekingofclout]

Thank you all for the kind words. It pleases me so that you really enjoyed the story.

I had to have heard my parents retell it over and over and over all through my childhood and I never once got tired of hearing it.

So you now see why, Joe D holds a special place in my heart even though I never saw him play, nor met him at an autograph show. I had my chances mind you, but decided to keep my childhood memories intact and undisturbed.

Sincerely, Jimmy

[Mark]

Originally Posted by John V

Mark,
I'm loving your grandfather's Felsch bat.
I can imagine the encouraging words from Hillerich & Bradsby. Do you mind sharing the details?

This took place in 1970. I remember describing the bat meticulously, detailing everything inside the label very carefully and noting that in place of a signature on the barrel was Felsch’s last name, printed in all capital letters. Jack McGrath wrote back asking me to double check whether the company name was “J.F. Hillerich and Sons” or “Hillerich and Bradsby Company,” because that would date the bat to either before or after 1916. He concluded “I strongly surmise that the bat you have was ordered for the personal use of Hap Felsch, and therefore he no doubt used it.” I recognize that last statement might be questioned by skeptics, but it’s still good enough for me.

[ValKehl]

when I was a kid and Dad would take me to Griffith Stadium was Pete Runnels, who hit a pinch hit home run in this 1962 All Star Game at Wrigley Field. Did Pete hit it with this bat? I have no idea, but I like to think so!!