Giant Bats

Teddy Ballgame

2010-12-16T09:13:00.002-05:00

Just got a tip that Ted Williams' giant bat baseball card, "Where Ted Stands," has surfaced on Mark Yawdoszyn's website. Very cool. It's in our original database, of course, but it's great to see it somewhere else.

The card, Yawdoszyn states, " is from the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set. The uncredited Wild World Photo depicts the Splendid Splinter wielding an 8-foot bat presented to him in Bangor, Maine, which honored him as a modern-day Paul Bunyan. Teddy Ballgame, indeed!"

t/c Tom

The Tourist

2010-03-15T08:38:00.003-04:00

Ah, spring. Some get friskier than others.

I love it when other blogs post about giant baseball bats. Case in point, The Baseball Tourist. It's been on the web for a year, but Tom just pointed it out to me. Over 18 only, please - the photo shows one fan's intimate relationship with the over-sized bat in Toronto. Does he love his Jays, or what?!

He also included the drawing and notice about the 1869 Red Stockings' giant bat. Well done.

We've had both bats in our image collection for some time. Here's the original list.

Giant Bat Story of the Year

2009-12-10T12:25:00.002-05:00

Our nominee for the 2009 story about oversize baseball bats that stood above the rest is "Tree Becomes Baseball Bat" from July 20. WBNG did this report, which we noted from press reports at the time, now available thanks to CNN.

Nothing says 'I love you' like a giant bat

2009-08-20T16:57:00.004-04:00

Photo by Geo. Burke of Joe E. Brown presenting the Kellogg Co. parade's comic bat and ball to Lena Blackburne as the Chicago White Sox's manager. Hunt Auctions.

T/C: Tim

Blackburne:
Year Tm .............Lg . G . W . L . % . Finish
1928 Chicago White Sox AL 80 40 40 .500 5
1929 Chicago White Sox AL 152 59 93 .388 7

Wonderboy Lives

2009-07-30T15:27:00.001-04:00

Inspired by a Bernard Malamud story, this giant baseball bat was made from a 120-foot-tall spruce tree after lightning struck it on July 2 in Oneonta, NY. Property owner Martin Patton decided to create a giant model of the famed bat "Wonderboy," carved from a tree struck by lightning, in the book and movie “The Natural.”

You can read the whole story here, but here are the facts:

cut down to 50 feet tall, first for safety, then to match the shape of the fictional bat;
done by woodworker Hal Macintosh;
11 feet around the base, with a 6-foot end cap that was to be attached;
Patton said his wife is submitting documentation of the bat to the Guinness Book of World Records.

All-Star Bat

2009-07-20T13:10:00.003-04:00

I'm told that the home of this giant baseball bat, the Dubliner in St. Louis has been a favorite watering hole of thirsty visitors for many years. Walking by during an All-Star trip, I didn't have a chance to stop in, but was impressed by the paint job.

Thanks to Tom for the phone pic.

A Mighty Wallop

2009-07-08T14:10:00.007-04:00

We've had this pic, "Both Carry a Mighty Wallop," in our collection for some time, as seen at Lelands, but today we were sent the link to its twin on the Getty website:

With the following caption:
"NEW YORK - APRIL 15, 1933. Babe Ruth poses with Jack Dempsey and a large baseball bat before opening day at Yankee Stadium on April 15th of 1929. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)"

I think it's pretty cool that they had April 15 of 1933 before 1929. Who can blame them? Things in 1933 weren't so hot and '29 probably sounded worth aiming for. Though I don't know why they didn't go back to '27, or even '20, while they were at it.

Anyway, whoo, that's a big bat. The ol' Bambino needed the heavyweight ex-champ, The Manassa Mauler, to hold it for him. But that was nothing new.

The two had been lovers for some time, and didn't care who knew.

OK, want something else cool? How about British newsreel footage?

t/c: Tom

Texas Leaguer

2009-03-23T11:54:00.008-04:00

Tom came through with another minor league giant bat. This one is also a Texas Leaguer.

In 1919, Billy Smith managed the Shreveport Gassers to a 81-64 record, good for 3rd place. But they must have stepped up their game in the post season, taking home the league championship and inspiring this giant bat. The Texas League was Class B at the time.

In 1942, the Shreveport club was called the Sports. Currently, the town boasts the independent Captains.

3B/Manager Salty Parker was not deterred when the club finished 2nd at 83-61. They brought home their first title in 23 years, winning the Texas League crown, long a class A circuit, despite Dick Wakefield of the Beaumont Exporters winning Player of the Year honors.

Salty, a baseball lifer, managed at many levels of ball from 1939 to 1976, including 12 big league games. He's the only undefeated Houston major league manager (1-0), and is a member of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. More.

Joe Vitter, left, a 31-year-old OF in the middle of a 16-season minor league career, hit .220 with five homers.

Jerry Bozeman, went on to found the town of Bozeman, MT ... OK, that's not true.

The team and the league shut down before the next season for the duration of WWII.

Big Bat, Little Clown

2009-03-16T08:04:00.004-04:00

Jerry Witte clowns around before a 1952 game at Buff Stadium in Houston. Witte had been the 1946 American Association MVP with Toledo. Here he is in 2001, and here's his book.

The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were a minor league baseball team in the Texas League from 1907-58 (excluding 1943-45, when the league suspended operations during World War II) and in the American Association from 1959-61. The team's home was Buff Stadium, built in 1928. From 1921-58, the Buffaloes were a farm team of the St. Louis Cardinals at the Class A, A1 and AA levels.

Thanks to houston_buff for the giant baseball bat photo and Tom for finding it.

Big Little Bat

2009-02-25T08:05:00.002-05:00

Sports Illustrated might have had this Babe Ruth giant bat in their prop closet, but this is the only time it was featured on their cover, April 6, '92.

Topps used the photo for Kirby Puckett's baseball card.

In Front of 5/3 Stadium

2009-01-18T11:54:00.002-05:00

In Front of 5/3 Stadium
Originally uploaded by photobunny

In addition to giant bats integrated into a gate, Fifth Third Field in Dayton has these oversize bats (and balls) outside the park. Thanks to photobunny on Flickr.

St. Louis Slugger

2009-01-06T08:15:00.002-05:00

Lot 169. St. Louis Slugger Giant Bat and Balls from Food Court

Call over Paul Bunyan, Gulliver, King Kong – and Mark McGwire, for that matter – after acquiring this overgrown bat and two baseballs that were mounted on the wall of the Hot Corner Food Court at Busch Stadium. Bat is 80” long and imprinted “St. Louis Slugger” on the midpoint. It comes with the original mounting clips that attached to the top and the bottom. Balls are actually half-balls that were affixed on two sides of a pillar, each orb with red seams is mounted on a circular silver disk that was mounted directly onto the pillars. Balls measure 15” in circumference and jut out 9” from the silver disks. Both the bat and the balls are in EX condition and recreate some really big memories.

(Estimate $1,000 - $1,500)
Reserve: $500
Number of Bids: 17
Final Bid: $3,700.19
Price Realized:$4,347.72

lelands

Slugger Set

2009-01-01T10:57:00.003-05:00

Slugger, FOR SALE SEPERATELY OR AS A WHOLE SET! Baseball 3'high $500, Bat (bench) 12'long $2,800, Mitt (chair) 6'tall $7,500, Whole set $10,000, Red Cedar, On display at Clinton Nursory, Clinton, WA. Pat McVay

E.Normous Bat

2008-12-05T07:34:00.004-05:00

This huge baseball bat is sure to hit a home run with any baseball fan. At naerly [nearly spelled correctly] 6 feet long, this bat will have the baseball fanatic in your life going wild. Although it is made of cold-cast resin [ick], the realistic wood grain and embossed branding it makes it a great addition to any sport themed room. The wording reads "Great Big Stuff - Big League - Rotary Hero Series" and "The original E.Normous signature bat".

At Great Big Stuff

Not-So-Little League

2008-11-14T08:24:00.002-05:00

In a move that ensures the future of giant baseball bats, Little League World Series teams now sign giant bats. Brings a tear to your eye, no?

"Waipio [Hawaii] players signed a giant bat after yesterday's win - AP, 8/26/08"

Poppy Bush, Barbara, Little League Giant Bat

2008-11-03T08:04:00.001-05:00

Dr. Creighton J. Hale, then president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, poses for a photo with President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush at a 1989 White House ceremony honoring Little League’s 50th anniversary. Hundreds of Little Leaguers and Little League officials attended the event on the South Lawn. A few days later, President and Mrs. Bush, along with Dr. Hale, traveled to Poland to personally deliver the first charter certificates to Little Leagues behind the former Iron Curtain. Dr. Hale remains a member of the Little League International Board of Directors, as well as a trustee of the Little League Foundation. Photo courtesy of the George Bush Presidential Library.

Types of Wood

2008-10-08T08:08:00.005-04:00

"On the cover of the ambiguously titled ‘Types of Wood’ we are treated to a large picture of a woman licking an oversized baseball bat, quite obviously in the throes of a rather passionate exchange. Sadly the music isn’t this powerful" more from boomkat

I like some of Whirlwind Heat's songs, but what do I know?

Album covermodel Susan Eldridge

Holy Toledo!

2008-10-06T08:29:00.004-04:00

The Mud Hens terrific ballpark, Fifth Third Park, is, oddly, not located on Fifth St or Third St. Check out the six giant baseball bats guarding the home plate gate on Washington St.

Powell Doctrine

2008-09-29T08:33:00.002-04:00

"I especially remember at that time, Jerry gave me one of those huge, oversized Louisville Slugger baseball bats. And I was deeply appreciative of that. I still keep it in my office. And, believe me, it comes in handy late at night, when I've had enough diplomacy for one day and I want to hit somebody. So I thank you, Jerry."
Colin Powell, November 20 2001

Put Me In Coach

2008-09-28T10:49:00.003-04:00

John Fogerty plays the song "Centerfield" on his baseball bat guitar.

Feb 5, 2008

Photo from Gary

Q Who made the Baseball-bat guitar you play on 'Centerfield'?
A The Bat-guitar was made by Geoff Richardson and Phil Kubicki for the Zombie Tour. At that time, Fogerty was using several custom guitars made by Kubicki along with other guitars modified by Hideo Kamimoto, a great luthier. You can hear the Kubickis on the CENTERFIELD and ZOMBIE releases.
The Bat-guitar has no peg head, the string tuning is done at the bridge, just like Steinberger guitars. Bat-guitar has 3 Seyour Duncan pickups and a shortened neck, I'm not sure of the scale but it is missing quite a few high end frets.
This information came from Geoff Richardson personally

Heavy Hitters

2008-09-25T08:02:00.002-04:00

Ralph Kiner, Monte Irvin and Hank Greenberg posing with an oversized bat.

This signed photo was auctioned here.

Which giant bat? What brought these Hall of Fame hitters together?

So many bats, so little time...

That's Cricket

2008-09-16T08:25:00.003-04:00

And now for something completely different ... there's a Wiki page on the "World's Biggest Cricket Bat." There are three examples listed.

We haven't done our own research, of course, so I can't say much about them. It's nice to see another flagpole planted so well aligned with our mission. Though it is such a tiny list. Only three? Please ... maybe we should create a Giant Baseball Bat Wiki page ...

We did come across this post a few years ago.

World's Largest Baseball Bat?

2008-09-12T08:33:00.004-04:00

World's Largest Bat? Knoebels Amusement Park - Elysburg, PA

in Roadside Attractions

Posted by: Ernmark

N 40° 52.806 W 076° 30.282

18T E 373221 N 4526536

Quick Description: Oversized baseball bat tucked away in a corner of Knoebels Amusement Resort near Elysburg, PA.

Location: Pennsylvania, United States

Date Posted: 8/27/2007 6:06:07 PM

Waymark Code: WM236A

Reviewed By: silverquill

Views: 44

Long Description:
Is this the world's largest bat? You'll have to stop by & decide for yourself! This bat was turned on a steam-powered lathe & sits near a collection of antique equipment...it may not really be the largest, but it's worth stopping by!

By best guess, the bat itself is about 12' long. The lathe it was turned on is also located nearby, along with other interesting items. The park itself is an interesting destination as it bills itself as the largest free-admission park.

To find the bat - head toward the northernmost area of the park, near the Kiddie Carousel.

Web Address: Roadside attraction web site

Price of Admission: 0.00 (listed in local currency)

Weekday Hours: From: 11:00 AM To: 10:00 PM

Weekend Hours: From: 11:00 AM To: 10:00 PM

Munster Bat

2008-09-11T12:02:00.005-04:00

THE MUNSTERS ORIGINAL EDDIE MUNSTER BASEBALL BAT

Updated: July 14, 2006

Original oversize baseball bat used by Butch Patrick as "Eddie Munster" in the opening credits of The Munsters. (CBS-TV, 1964-66) This wonderful oversize baseball bat is constructed of light-weight balsa wood in the exact proportions of a standard baseball bat - but stands fully 5 feet tall!

It was carried by Butch Patrick in character as "Eddie Munster" in the opening credits of nearly each episode of The Munsters. The bat exhibits usual wear from studio use and age, but remains in very good condition overall. An instantly-recognizable prop from this classic 1960s TV series.

(*) Photos and info courtsey of Profiles in History!

Value: $2,000 - $3,000

from Uncle Odie's

Sure to Impress the Neighbors

2008-09-10T11:59:00.002-04:00

Oversized Louisville Slugger Bat Signed by Frank Robinson, Pete Rose and More.

"A giant Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat that is 66" long and 5" in diameter at the barrel -- sure to impress the neighbors. This oversized replica bat is signed by HOFer Frank Robinson, Pete Rose, Steve Busby and Bobby Valentine. Busby owns two no-hit wins as a pitcher and Valentine has become a successful manager. All signatures have been rendered in black sharpie with Robinson's and Rose's the most prominent."

Sold for:	$113.53
Ended:	Jun 22, 2008

Heritage Auctions

Giant '76 NL Bat

2008-09-09T08:49:00.002-04:00

Gigantic 1976 Centennial Bat Signed By The Entire National League

Story about the Big Bat by Bob Bartosz: As the 1975 Baseball Season was coming to an end, there was a lot of talk about the 100th Anniversary of the National League (1876-1976). All the teams in the National League were preparing to honor this big event. New Uniforms, hats, logos etc. Being a photographer and covering the National League games for a local South Jersey newspaper I came upon the idea to celebrate this event also. During the winter months I acquired a huge piece of turn of the century Teak wood and using a pattern off of a Greg Luzinski Model bat, I had a local machine shop cut a model of it on their lathe. The bat was about five foot tall in size. The bat was taken to a county vocational school to their wood shop. There it was sanded down with a very fine sand paper to give it a proper smooth finish. I had two large decals custom made at a local printing shop bearing the Logo of the 100th Anniversary for the National League. At the start of the 1976 season in April I took the bat with me to the Phillies Clubhouse at Veterans Stadium where it got a lot of attention from the Phillies players and I had all of them autograph the bat with a Sharpie Pen. I than took the bat over to the Visitors Clubhouse and had each player also sign the bat. I continued to do this as each team came in to Veterans Stadium during the 1976 Season. Everyone was very happy to sign the bat ( back in the early 1970's days there were no large groups of photographers and few autograph-seekers hounding the players like you see today). When the Dodgers came into town everyone graciously signed the bat with one exception. The Dodgers pitcher Mike Marshall refused to sign the bat. Mike was a very pleasant person and explained to me that he would not autograph any item. Many of his teammates urged him to sign the bat but he still refused. He explained that he felt terrible about this but that was his policy. As a good will gesture, he gave me his personal 1975 All-Star Game bat. As the year went on I was able to get everyone in the Clubhouse to sign the bat. I was hoping to give the bat to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY, as my wife and I were frequently going there during the Induction Ceremonies and covering the Hall of Fame games. Throughout the years we have donated many items from the old Connie Mack Stadium and photos to the Hall of Fame and we were hoping that they would exhibit the bat but I was told by them that they just did not have any room for new displays. This was back in the mid 1970's before all the new construction and the new changes that you see at the Hall of Fame today. After the 1976 season, the bat was put on display in various malls here in South Jersey. I was able to take photographs of many of the players that signed the bat, and both the photos and the bat attracted many thousands of baseball fans who came to see it. As the years went by I had stored the bat away in a closet. I had a lot of fun creating this unique tribute to the National League's Centennial, and sharing it with others over the years. I am now retired and have disposed of much of my baseball collection and have decided that the bat should go to a new owner. I am sure it will find a deserving home. Sincerely, Bob Bartosz. Now retired Sports Photographer

The bat weighs 14 pounds and measures 54 inches in length. It is signed by hundreds of players. This is a simply amazing display piece. Everyone who sees it wants to hold it. It is also a display piece with a great story. The fact that Mike Marshall is so legendary for his refusal to sign, and the autographed bat is accompanied by the All-Star Game bat presented to Bob Bartosz as a token of Marshall's remorse, adds a fascinating additional dimension of interest. The bat is also accompanied by a selection of twenty-two original photographs taken by Bob Bartosz of players from various teams signing and posing with the bat in the clubhouse. The only National League player aside from Mike Marshall that Bob Bartosz knows that he happened to miss getting to sign the bat is Willie Montanez. SOLD FOR $4,640.00

REA

All-Star Workout Giant Bat

2008-09-05T15:42:00.001-04:00

DETROIT - JULY 11, 2005: Luis Castillo of the Florida Marlins, Livan Hernandez of the Washington Nationals and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals pose for a portrait in the National League Workout jersey during All-Star Workout Day on July 11, 2005 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Big Bat

2008-09-04T12:46:00.001-04:00

big bat plaque
Originally uploaded by kellyhafermann

"You are standing next to an exact-scale replica of the model R43, 34" wood bat, designed to specifications requested by Babe Ruth in the early 1920s. The "Bud Hillerich" signature that appears with the famous oval logo is a tribute to John A. "Bud" Hillerich, who turned the company's first bat in 1884."

Big Bat, Big Ball

2008-09-04T12:37:00.001-04:00

Big Bat, Big Ball
Originally uploaded by DewCon

at La Crosse Loggers baseball stadium in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Giant Bat Fountain

2008-09-04T12:32:00.001-04:00

UofL baseball
Originally uploaded by flickrized

a beautiful shot outside the UofL baseball park

Bench Bat Bench

2008-09-04T12:00:00.001-04:00

Johnny Bench Baseball Bat Bench
Originally uploaded by Tuscola Joe

slightly off topic, these bats are regular-size ... but what could be cooler than a Bench bat bench?

largest baseball bat known to man

2008-09-04T11:51:00.001-04:00

largest baseball bat known to man
Originally uploaded by David Watson

I'll see if I can get more info on this ...

OVERSIZE KREN BAT

2008-09-03T15:52:00.005-04:00

HUGE RARE VINTAGE 1941 OVERSIZE KREN BAT

JOSEPH KREN was a famous baseball bat maker

whose clients were Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Hornsby, and others.

Like the Major League Baseball superstars he made bats for,

KREN, himself, was finally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the year 2000.

[He's in the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall. His tools were donated to the National Baseball Hall]

JOSEPH KREN immigrated from Germany in the late 1800's, and settled in the Syracuse (NY) North Side German community, where he founded his baseball bat (and billy club) industry in the late 1920's. He attended Syracuse's oldest Catholic church, ST. MARY'S CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION on N. Salina St., which serviced the spiritual needs of the German Catholic Community.

JOSEPH KREN turned this rare one-of-a-kind huge baseball bat

[Ah, but did he? Where's the logo?]

to be auctioned off at ASSUMPTION'S 1941 PICNIC.The names on the bat are the names of the parishioners who bought auction tickets - there were over 100!

The bat is 46" long, 5" wide at the top, and weighs about 7 pounds. The handle rim has a shallow chip (pictured below). There are multiple other mini-chips, scratches, rub marks, and paint spotson the bat, in addition to an eyehook hole, where it was hung at a home bar for years. Nevertheless, this may hold the distinction of being the largest KREN BAT in existence.

[Could be, but who's counting giants bats (but us)? Exactly how close to seven pounds is it? How big is that kid and what's the bat's length?]

KREN'S name does not appear on the bat, but it is obviously his craftsmanship.

[... obviously, since it's a bat that's too big and heavy to use in a game. Look at the sloppy label, clearly a master at work.]

I am sure that some people in Syracuse will be emailing me to see if any of their relatives names are on the bat. Since many of the names are faded and/or hard to read, I hope you will understand that I can only take the time to do the research for interested buyers.

[I'm sure you can imagine any name you wish]

A GREAT HISTORICAL SYRACUSE COLLECTIBLE and TRUE MUSEUM PIECE.

[... except for, uh, the "true" part, and, uh, the "museum" part]

This museum quality sports collectible is in FAIR to GOOD CONDITION.

ebay

syracusehalloffame.com

making a giant baseball bat

2008-01-24T16:27:00.000-05:00

The most popular video ever of making a giant baseball bat.

Clown Brown with Big Bat

2008-01-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

Joe E Brown, movie comic, had a huge sports memorabilia collection. Here he is with a new item, a giant baseball bat, presented by the head of the Sporting News. Lucky guy.

Zeke

2008-01-09T08:45:00.000-05:00

Zeke Bonura, a heavy hitter for the White Sox and other clubs, known by the colorful nickname of “Banana Nose,” later became a member of the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Here he is with a remarkable giant bat.

Wood-Joy, v2

2007-12-15T10:49:00.001-05:00

The great people at www.wood-joy.com are a source of inspiration for giant baseball bat enthusiasts everywhere.

Annapolis secret bat

2007-11-30T13:28:00.000-05:00

I don't have the rights to show this bat, but you can see it here.

giant bat

2007-11-30T13:17:00.001-05:00

giant bat
Originally uploaded by swanksalot

Oldenburg's giant bat in Chicago

Giant baseball bat

2007-11-30T13:15:00.001-05:00

Giant baseball bat
Originally uploaded by Shana Lee

So many visitors to Louisville, so few giant bats

Louisville ain't the only place with giant bats.

2007-11-30T13:12:00.001-05:00

Louisville ain't the only place with giant bats.
Originally uploaded by msmail

Giant baseball bats at the Albuquerque Isotopes ballpark

Giant bat and poster at auction

2007-08-10T14:05:00.000-04:00

Giant bat and poster from Baltimore's American Dime Museum were spotted at an auction website. The Museum closed and artifacts sold off.

Paul Bunyan Ball Buster American Freedom Bat

2007-08-01T16:38:00.001-04:00

on sale now

Vote For Him?

2007-06-29T10:50:00.000-04:00

(AP, June 24, 2007) Ma Ying-jeou, the opposition Nationalist Party presidential candidate, wields baseball bat as the Nationalist Party endorsed the nomination of him as its presidential candidate at a party congress in Taoyuan in northern Taiwan.

Perfect for Father's Day

2007-06-18T16:52:00.000-04:00

This sold on ebay for $132. It earned seven bids. Maybe you'll be able to buy a new giant bat sometime.

wood=joy

2007-05-24T09:29:00.000-04:00

For some it isn't enough to enjoy giant bats in their natural habitat, they have to own a giant bat. So it goes. Don't tell me about it, talk to wood-joy.

Giant Bat Photo Op

2007-04-03T09:20:00.000-04:00

The giant bat will find a new home for the 2007 season, in front of the Red Stockings mural near the entrance to Great American Ball Park. Giant bat fans will be able to pose for photos with the bat, with the mural of the Red Stockings in the background.

Thanks to Tim.

Lust League

2007-02-13T13:25:00.000-05:00

uniwatch just commented on sports and pulp fiction covers, linking to this great scan. Are there more of these with a baseball theme?

Thanks Tom.

Owners share Giant Bat

2007-02-05T14:03:00.000-05:00

If so, it's the only thing they ever shared. 1954. Corbis.

We exist!

2007-01-23T12:45:00.000-05:00

Skilton carries a link to us.

Google has us way down their search results, but we do show up for some 2katz web searches and blog serches.

Minor league, but giant!

2007-01-22T16:14:00.000-05:00

Memphis players accept the giant bat trophy after winning the American Legion World Series in 1968.

Sport Magazine, September, 1969. Thanks Liam

A video treat

2007-01-22T15:55:00.000-05:00

Only slightly off topic. An ad from the old Man Show.
On youtube. Thanks Liam.

Yankee Killer

2007-01-05T10:04:00.000-05:00

Dodgers on their way to the 1949 World Series. (C) Corbis

Wa bat

2007-01-03T10:57:00.000-05:00

A postcard of Japanese Baseball team touring the U.S. in 1936. On sale at oldjudge.com.

Really little kids?

2007-01-02T15:11:00.000-05:00

No, the kids are regular size. The bat is giant!
Check it out

We are not alone

2006-12-16T16:14:00.000-05:00

Wikipedia has a great posting about Baseball metaphors for sex, including this classic Woodie Allen bit:
"That was two o'clock in the morning, and I get my date back to her apartment, and the two of us are alone, and we're going pretty good. I have to explain this very delicately, 'cause it's really tentative. As I... as I am an inordinately ... passionate ... man. Volatile. Sensual. In general a stud. When making love ... when making love ... in an effort ... to prolong ... the moment of ecstasy ... I think of baseball players. All right, now you know. The two of us are making love violently, she's digging it, I figure I better start thinking of ballplayers quickly. So I figure it's one out, the ninth, the Giants are up. Mays lines a single to right, he takes second on a wild pitch. Now she is digging her nails into my neck. I decided to pinch-hit for McCovey. Alou pops out. Haller singles, Mays holds third. Now I got a first-and-third situation. Two out, the Giants are behind one run. I don't know whether to squeeze or steal. She's been in the shower for ten minutes, already. This is too ... I can't tell you anymore, this is too personal. The Giants won."
Good Wood.

Holy Cow! Mouse Has Giant Bats!

2006-12-16T11:06:00.000-05:00

Disney, Orlando, theme motels. Not of much interest, until you get to the giant bat decor.

A-Mays-ing

2006-03-17T16:43:00.000-05:00

The all-time Giant bat -- the same one Cool Papa used for his photo.

Sultan of Swat

2006-03-17T16:27:00.000-05:00

This just in

2005-12-15T16:23:00.000-05:00

This card was just passed along: Kevin Young, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1992 Bowman #155. Thanks!

Old Bats

2005-12-10T09:51:00.000-05:00

This giant bat billboard created quite a rhubarb around Louisville back in 2001, especially at the Embroiderers' Guild of America.

High Marx

2005-11-28T15:57:00.000-05:00

The pitch is low and outside to Groucho Marx and his giant bat. Harpo has jumped out to catch the ball while Chico and the NY Giants look sorry to be there. 1932.

Put up your dukes

2005-11-16T08:40:00.000-05:00

Duke hit four homers in two different World Series (1952 and 1955). Here's a photo from '52 with the NL championship giant bat ignored in the background.

Remember these guys?

2005-11-15T15:46:00.000-05:00

McGwire and Canseco were called the Bash Brothers by some marketing geniuses for the fleeting moment when they were teammates -- young and strong. I wonder what became of them. I really wonder what became of their giant bats.

Cool Papa

2005-11-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

We could hardly believe it when this picture showed up on Ebay. That's Cool Papa Bell swinging a giant Willie Mays bat.

Ye olde batte

2005-10-31T10:53:00.000-05:00

These two images are stored in the Library of Congress. The caption reads "Jack Picket [John Pickett?] standing next to an oversize bat shaped trophy which reads Champions of National League Series."

Tiger bats

2005-10-30T14:03:00.000-05:00

We haven't been to Comerica Park, the Tigers' den, but have long heard about a pair of giant bats at one gate. This is an excellent picture that will certainly be included in the GBDB.

Ono, A Giant Bat

2005-10-29T16:40:00.000-04:00

It doesn't take a great artist to value a giant bat. We just came across this review of a Yoko Ono exhibit in London that features our favorite sports metaphor. We'll be on the lookout for a bigger picture. bat article

Welcome to the new Giant Bats Blog

2005-10-29T10:54:00.000-04:00

Please use the "comment" option to spread news about old giant bats, tell of new sightings or ask giant bat questions. Send us photos via email and we'll post 'em.