A Birdland fixture behind the plate, in the dugout, in the bullpen – and even on the mound one dreadful night in Toronto – former Baltimore Orioles catcher/coach Ellie Hendricks brandished this Hillerich & Bradsby “R161” signature model bat during the final three seasons (1977-1979) of his playing career. The (34.5-oz/35-1/2”) white ash war club showcases a prominent center brand and barrel stampings and exhibits evidence of excellent game use. The barrel is home to ball, bat-rack and deeply embedded stitch marks, while light pine tar residue and a secured crack reside on the handle. On the knob, “E” is written in black marker, as is a notation of the bat’s weight. Come with a full photo LOA from John Taube, PSA/DNA.
As for the aforementioned “pitching” stint, the 37-year-old player/coach was summoned in the fifth inning during a June 26, 1978 debacle in which the Orioles trailed Toronto, 24-6. In his mound debut, Hendricks worked 2 and one-third scoreless innings and curtailed the Blue Jays’ onslaught in what would end a 24-10 Orioles setback.
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