J. Frederick Hillerich started a woodworking shop in 1856. His eldest son, John Andrew "Bud" Hillerich, was born in Louisville in 1866. In 1880 Bud Hillerich, who was an amateur Baseball player, became an apprentice in his father's shop. Young Bud made his own baseball bats along with bats for several of his teammates. According to company legend, the first pro bat was turned by Bud for Pete Browning in 1884. One of Browning's nicknames was, "The Louisville Slugger."
Bud Hillerich continued to improve the manufacturing processes of the new bat business, inventing a centering device for a lathe and an automatic sander. Their baseball bat business grew. The bat was first known as the Falls City Slugger, (a reference to Louisville's location at the Falls of the Ohio River), but the brand name was changed to Louisville Slugger and registered as a trademark in 1894. Bud Hillerich became a partner with his father in 1897 and the name of the firm was changed to J.F. Hillerich and Son.
Louisville Kentucky For Louisville Sluggers
Louisville, ky.
Louisville, KY
J.F. Hillerich and Son, manufacturer of the Louisville Slugger, is the oldest baseball bat company. Bud Hillerich made the first pro bat for Pete Browning, a member of the Louisville Eclipse baseball team. Browning was known as the Louisville Slugger years before Hillerich trademarked the name.
It is a brand of Baseball bat (originally wooden) that is manufactured by Louisville Slugger. It is the official bat of the Major League Baseball.
It's a softball bat.
Honus Wagner. Wagner signed a contract to endorse Louisville Slugger in 1905. His signature was the first to be used on a bat and he was the first professional athlete to endorse an athletic product.
louisville- The Louisville Slugger Museum
Louisville Kansas
There are many companies that make baseball bats. The most famous is the Louisville Slugger which is made in Louisville, KY.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_baseball_bat_manufacturers
A Rocky Colavito Louisville Slugger bat goes for $300 to $350. If the bat was used in a game by Colavito and he personally autographed it, it can sell for as much as $1,200.
Louisville Slugger bat dating guideHillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville Slugger has used different oval center brands in their history. By identifying the center label, trade marks, and patens you can narrow down the year to what era the bat was made. See Related Links below, and visit the Louisville Slugger bat dating guide. You can match the markings on your bat with the easy to use bat dating chart to get an approximate date for your Yogi Berra bat.